Peter Palmer: First Look: 2018 Volvo S90/V90 R-Design

Originally appeared on Automoblog.net

When Volvo debuted the S90 late last year and the V90 earlier this year, we immediately fell in love with the elegant design, both inside and out. Now, Volvo has unveiled the R-Design versions of the S90 sedan and the V90 wagon, and guess what?

We are in love even more.

One of our favorite features, like the XC90 R-Design, is how the S90 and V90 received new front and rear fascias. That adds a sharper edge to these already elegant luxury vehicles.

What’s New

The 2018 Volvo S90 and V90 R-Design feature an advanced sports chassis. “It delivers an energetic, road-hugging drive,” according to a recent Volvo press release. This means the R-Design variant of the two vehicles will handle better than the Inscription and Momentum versions. However, don’t expect the S90 and V90 R-Design to go head to head with the Audi RS, BMW M, and Mercedes-AMG models.

That is the job for the more potent S90 and V90 Polestar editions.

Key design elements on the S90 and V90 R-Design include a unique grille with piano black accents, a more aggressive lower front end with integrated fog lights, and new five spoke alloy wheels. Inside, both cabins feature metal and carbon-fiber look trim, more supportive sport seats, and a three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters.

2018 Volvo S90/V90 R-Design Wheel and Tire Package

Performance

In Europe and other international markets, the 2018 Volvo S90 and V90 R-Design will feature a range of engines, including two petrol and diesel motors and a top-of-the-range hybrid, which combines a petrol engine with electric motors.

All engines will be four-cylinder.

U.S. bound Volvo S90 and V90 R-Design models will feature either the 250 horsepower 2.0 L turbocharged four-cylinder T5, the 316 horsepower 2.0 L twin-charged four-cylinder T6 with optional AWD, or the 400 horsepower T8.

Drivetrain and transmission options are identical to the ones available in the regular S90 and V90 models.

Availability

Expect the S90 and V90 R-Designs to arrive stateside shortly after the V90 wagon as 2018 models. Pricing has not been announced as of this writing, but that will become available closer to the launch date.

*Rahul Raman is the Founder of CARS 360 Mke, an automotive news outlet. He is a regular contributor to Automoblog and the author of our First Look series.