Volvo has lifted the veils off the
facelifted S90 sedan and V90/V90 Cross Country wagons but you’ll have a hard
time noticing what’s different. As spy shots suggested, Volvo hasn’t messed
with something that worked, i.e. the styling of its passenger car flagship
range. The Swedish automaker says it has “refined” the exterior design, added a
new sound system by Bowers and Wilkins, and expanded the availability of
48-volt mild hybrid powertrains across the entire lineup.
Starting off with the looks, the Volvo S90
and V90 gain a new lower front bumper, a new spoiler design and new fog lights
(where available). The changes are more extensive on the wagons which get
revised taillights with a new LED signature and sequential turn indicator. The
exterior updates are rounded out by new colors and wheel options.
Inside, the big news is the addition of an
improved Bowers and Wilkins audio system which is said to offer an even better
in-car sound experience. It packs an upgraded amplifier, automatic vehicle
noise cancellation and “a new setting that mimics the sound of your favorite
jazz club.”
Volvo has also added an Advanced Air
Cleaner system with a PM 2.5 particle sensor. First developed for the Chinese
market, it allows drivers to monitor interior air quality via the center
screen. Should the driver desire, the Advanced Air Cleaner can clean the cabin
air of almost all tiny particles within a few minutes.
In addition to the S90 and V90, the new
Bowers & Wilkins audio system and Advanced Air Cleaner technology are also
available on all 90 and 60 Series models based on the Scalable Product
Architecture (SPA). Double USB-C charging points in the rear are now standard
on all 90 and 60 Series Volvos, while wireless charging is available on most
variants of these models. Furthermore, the exclusive tailored wool blend seats
first introduced on the XC90 last year are now available on all 90 and 60
Series models, with a leather-free interior option offered on the top trim
levels.
Finally, Volvo is expanding the number of
48-volt mild hybrid powertrain options, making them available on every single
model. First introduced on the XC90 and XC60 SUVs in 2019, the mild hybrids are
now also available on all other 90 and 60 Series cars, as well as the XC40. The
V90 Cross Country therefore becomes the first electrified Cross Country model
ever.
According to Volvo, mild hybrids offer up
to 15 percent fuel savings and emission reductions in real world driving.


