Volvo S90 and V90 freshens up with mild-hybrid power

Volvo's range-topping S90 sedan and V90 wagon have been upgraded for 2020 with a light cosmetic overhaul and the adoption of a full range of 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrains that claimed to slash fuel consumption and emissions by up to 15 per cent in real-world driving.

Already available in the XC90 SUV range, Volvo's latest mild-hybrid tech combines its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with a 48-volt battery that's paired up with an integrated starter/generator and an energy recovery system.

The system works by clawing back energy under braking to charge the battery that then assists the engine and allows an engine-off coast function.

As well as the sedan and wagon, the mild-hybrid tech is also offered on the V90 Cross Country too.

Following the introduction of the mild-hybrid engines, Volvo says it will rename the electrified T4, T5 and T6 engines the B4, B5 an B6.

Confusingly, the diesel-powered D4 and D5 will also be renamed the B4 and B5 diesels.

As part of the mid-life tweaks, both the S90 and V90 have also been under the knife. This has involved designers tweaking both cars' front bumpers, adding new foglamps and, on the V90, introducing a pair of new LED tail lamps.

New paint options and fresh wheel designs are now also available.

Inside, the high-end wool blend XC90 seats, that were brought in last year, are now offered on the S90 and V90, along with another new non-leather vegan seat option.

Both saloon and estate also now come with double USB-C charging points in the rear that replace the old car's 12-volt outlet. Wireless phone charging is another new addition.

Volvo has also decided to roll out its Advanced Air Cleaner climate control that was originally developed for the Chinese market that automatically monitors in-car air quality, filtering out all harmful air particles from the cabin within just a few minutes.

Finally, the updated Volvo has been treated to the option of a new premium Bowes & Wilkins sound system that uses a new amplifier, plus new noise cancellation tech for audio quality that's supposedly can mimic that sound of your "favourite jazz club."

Prices for the revised S90 and V90 have yet to be confirmed but in Europe both the sedan and wagon arrive early on in the third quarter, it's not yet known when Australia will get its cars.