Volvo ups luxe quotient with S90 Excellence

Swedish carmaker Volvo Car Corporation has unveiled S90 Excellence, a luxurious version of the eponymous sedan, and S90 L, a long-wheelbase version, ahead of its first public appearance at the 2016 Guangzhou motor show. 

The S90 L is a 120mm-longer version of the S90 saloon designed to offer more rear legroom. The S90 Excellence is a three-seat based on the L's stretched underpinnings. It debuts Volvo’s lounge concept that replaces the missing front passenger seat with an ottoman and a touchscreen infotainment system. This is done to improve the rear passenger leg space and forward visibility. 

In terms of features, the S90 Excellence is equipped with a full panoramic roof, foldout worktables, clever storage, a heated and cooled cup holder, an adjustable footrest and a built-in entertainment system. It also includes a built-in refrigeration compartment and handmade crystal glasses from Swedish glassmaker Orrefors.

While both the models are designed specifically for China, where wealthy passengers are often driven rather than driving themselves, the S90 L and Excellence are set to be exported globally if there is a demand. 

S90 production moves to China 

Volvo will move production of its S90 saloon from Europe to China. Production of the future 40 and 60 series models will also commence in the East Asian country as well. Manufacture of the range-topping S90, the S90 L and S90 Excellence will be handled in Daqing in the Heilongjiang province of North China. The S90 has been built in Torslanda, Sweden, so far. 

Volvo, which is owned by Chinese carmaker Geely, confirmed that a large number of the 60 series models such as the S60 and its V60 estate equivalent will be built in Chengdu in China’s Szechuan province. The more compact 40 series will be built at a yet-to-be-finished plant in Luqiao, Shanghai, owned by Geely. The site will also produce the models for Geely’s new Lync&Co brand that use Volvo's Compact Modular Architecture.

Interestingly, the company is keen to introduce the XC40 SUV in India as it believes there is potential for growth within the country’s entry-level luxury car market.

Volvo’s new Chinese sites will join its two European plants, one in Sweden and the other in Belgium. They will continue to make certain 90 series and 60 series cars. A new plant in South Carolina, the US, will eventually join the list and make the 60 series models primarily for North America.

Speaking at the launch of the long-wheelbase S90 in Shanghai, Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo, said, “With three plants – and the designation of one car line to each – Volvo has created an efficient production structure ensuring capacity for growth.”

Lars Danielsson, Volvo's senior vice president for the Asia Pacific region, said, "We are leveraging our advantage of being one company [with Geely] instead of a joint venture [in China]. China will replace the US as the world’s largest premium carmaker with over two million units this year.”

China is a fast-growing market for Volvo. It sold 54,496 units there in the first eight months of 2016, up 10 percent from last year.

Sam Sheehan