DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Volvo S90 makes its public outing

Volvo has revealed its long-awaited replacement for the S80 at the Detroit motor show.

Described by the car-maker as "Swedishness at its best" and a "real game changer", the new S90 premium sedan is said to offer a “high-end luxury experience” while introducing new state-of-the-art technology.

The S90 development is said to be part of an incredible $11 billion investment by the Swedish car-maker that will include the building of a new US-based manufacturing plant in Charleston, South Carolina.

Based on the new Scaled Platform Architecture (SPA) that made its debut under the XC90, it will share the big SUV’s new range of 2.0-litre diesel and turbocharged petrol engines and be spearheaded by a 300kW T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Volvo also claims it will be one of the most luxurious cars in its class and come with an advanced infotainment system that will harness cloud-based apps and services.

Another first for its class is new semi-autonomous tech that includes Pilot Assist – a cruise control that gives gentle steering inputs to keep within its lane markings on a highway up to speeds of 130km/h.

Other new tech, described as being a world first, is a new feature added to City Safety that detects large animals such as elk, horses or moose at night or during the daytime. If detected the emergency braking will bring the car to a halt safely.

Along with the reveal of the all-new S90, Volvo used the North American car show to announce record-breaking global sales of 503,127 in 2015 -- an increase of over eight per cent despite a declining Chinese market.

The Swedish brand says sales of the recently introduced XC90 remain strong. Last year Volvo received 88,000 orders for the big SUV, exceeding its sales target of 50,000 cars per year.

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