Volvo 
first introduced the S90 name in 1996, when it renamed the 960 for certain markets. With Volvo discontinuing the 900 Series midsize in 1998, the 2014 Volvo S80 we know of today rolled in as the replacement for the S90. The S90 also marked the end of an era for Volvo, being the last rear-wheel-drive car wearing the Swedish company’s badge. The S80 continued the S90’s luxurious legacy over the course of two generations. The first series lived between 1998 and 2006, while the second-gen model is in its eighth year on the market as of 2014. In 2015, which also marks a new design era for Volvo, rumors are swirling about the return of the S90 nameplate as the company’s range-topping model.
Besides taking duties from the S80, the S90 is also set to revolutionize the midsize luxury segment, much like the second-generation XC90 did in the SUV market. Expect the sedan to receive the hauler’s design language, along with an interior packed with the latest technology and luxury items developed by the Swedes. The overhauled sedan will hit dealerships in the second half of 2016.
Updated: 08/24/2015: Our spy photographers came across a heavily camouflaged 2017 Volvo S90 prototype and managed to take three shots of the model. As you can see, the car is still covered in camouflage plastic parts, but it is expected to feature a similar design language as the 2016 Volvo XC90 .
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Volvo S90.
Rendering
Exterior
It’s safe to assume the S90 will be a more stylish interpretation of the XC90 SUV. With that in mind, our rendering artist took several of the XC90’s sexy, new design cues and blended them with the S80’s current shape.
Our rendering artist took several of the XC90’s sexy, new design cues and blended them with the S80’s current shape.
That’s because I expect Volvo to keep the sedan’s size and shape similar, although it might gain a few inches here and there. Of course, it will also receive revised body lines with sculpted side skirts, a slightly remodeled waistline and a new engine hood.
Obviously, it’s the front fascia that will make the biggest difference, as it will resemble the XC90’s (as will other future Volvos as well).
That said, our S90 features a wider and slimmer front grille, also positioned lower toward the apron, as well as the “Thor’s Hammer” headlamps.
A reconfigured intake layout in the front bumper will give the S90 a more elegant, yet sporty appearance.
Interior
Note: 2016 Volvo XC90 interior shown.
The interior of the S90 should also take several features from the XC90, although I’d expect Volvo to use a different dashboard and a revised center console, the latter to be made more suitable for a car rather than an SUV.
As usual, technology will be a major focus of the S90’s design.
Nappa leather and flamed-birch wood trim should make the sedan’s interior a great place to be. What’s more, I expect the cabin to offer significantly more room, a feat that comes with Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture.
As usual, technology will be a major focus of the S90’s design. I wouldn’t be surprised for the sedan to come with the same large touchscreen as the XC90, as well as a number of new-generation technologies.
These should include Park Assis Pilot, which can pull a car into or out of a parallel parking spot, and Cross Traffic Alert, which can detect if a car is approaching from either side from up to 90 feet away.
Drivetrain
Note: 2016 Volvo XC90 engine shown.
Since the S90 will ride on the same SPA platform as the X90 SUV, it makes sense for the sedan will get similar powerplants. Both gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines are likely, with a T8 hybrid model to act as range-topper. In the XC90, the D4 turbodiesel generates 190 horsepower and 295 pound-feet, while the D5 diesel cranks out 225 horses and 346 pound-feet. Moving over to gasoline plants, there’s the T5 rated at 254 horsepower and 258 pound-feet and the T6 that cranks out 316 horses and 295 pound-feet. Lastly, the T8 Hybrid is good for a total output of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of twist.
Competitors
2014 BMW 5 Series
The sixth-generation 5 Series, one of the best-selling sedans of the midsize segment, received its mid-cycle refresh for the 2014 model year. A redesigned model is scheduled to arrive in 2016, but until official details surface, we’ll stick with the version you can find at a dealership near you. Four guises are available in the U.S., starting with the 528i. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-banger, the entry-level sedan comes with 240 horsepower on tap. The lineup continues with the 535i, which benefits from 300 ponies coming from a 3.0-liter inline-six.
Next up is the 535d. The oil-burner features a 3.0-liter, inline-six, TwinPower turbodiesel under the hood that cranks out 255 horses while returning 38 mpg on the highway. Finally, the range-topping 550i comes with a 4.4-liter V-8 that churns 445 horsepower. Pricing for the 5 Series begins at $49,750.
Read more about the BMW 5 Series here.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The second German sedan Volvo wants to tackle with the S90 is the E-Class. Just like the BMW 5 Series, the Merc is available in five trims. At the base of the lineup sits the E250 BlueTEC Clean Diesel and its 2.1-liter, four-cylinder oil burner. The mill delivers 195 horsepower and the EPA rates it at 42 mpg on the highway. The second model you can buy is the E350, a sedan that gets its 302 horses from a larger, 3.5-liter V-6. The same V-6 unit also motivates the E400 Hybrid, but the eco-friendlier model also features an electric motor. The combo generates a total of 329 ponies.
The E550 4MATIC tops the lineup. The all-wheel-drive sedan hides a biturbo, 4.6-liter V-8 under its hood that sends 402 horsepower to all four corners. The E-Class is a bit pricier than the 5 Series, with a sticker set at $51,400.
Find out more about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class here.
Conclusion
I’m only taking guesses here, but judging by the what the second-generation XC90 turned out to be, the S90 could only be a massive improvement over its predecessor. With Volvo’s new design language, the luxurious interiors, and the fuel efficient powerplants, the S90 might just have a better shot at competing against the big boys of the industry.
Update history:
Updated 06/29/2019: While all we have so far on the upcoming S90 is pure speculation, we decided to create a rendering to give you an idea of what the car will look like. More details below.