S90/V90 [Renders] 2015 Volvo S90/V90

[Centurion]

Volvo seems to prosper under the Chinese. Their attempt to become mainstream luxury, if I may use @KiwiRob 's term, seems to have succeeded!

In my opinion, though, they don't only need a 6 cylinder engine. They need a RWD platform as well, if they want to rise above Alfa Romeo (in the pre-Giulia status) and its likes.

Why do they need a RWD platform when Audi doesn't have one and both BMW and Mercedes are embracing FWD?

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Very good points. Engine options is certainly the biggest deterrent to buying flagship Volvo. Currently Volvo's equivalent of 6 cylinder engine is the T8 Twin Engine that combines electric and gasoline propulsion.

So far the engine has had positive reviews and comes with the benefit of lower emission tax. However it's not practical for those without easy access to parking with plug-in points.

Given that Volvo just re-surged, they could introduce a larger engine in the coming years.

My understanding is that when the SPA platform introduced, it was limited to the type of engine it could contain. What I don't remember is what the limiting criteria actually is: either the number of cylinders (4-cyl) or the capacity (2.0L).

Personally, it'd be fantastic if they can shoe-horn in a 2.9L inline-6, but unless what they said about the limits of the SPA is just marketing chicanery, I don't see that happening.

Why do they need a RWD platform when Audi doesn't have one and both BMW and Mercedes are embracing FWD?

Exactly. As much as I and many other enthusiasts think RWD is de riguer in buying a luxury car, the general buying public is either ambivalent or they are more open to having AWD as opposed to RWD. If they do offer AWD in the S/V90 as well as their other future offerings, the fact that it's not RWD-based system will be the factor that deters many potential customers.

 

[KiwiRob]

My understanding is that when the SPA platform introduced, it was limited to the type of engine it could contain. What I don't remember is what the limiting criteria actually is: either the number of cylinders (4-cyl) or the capacity (2.0L).

Personally, it'd be fantastic if they can shoe-horn in a 2.9L inline-6, but unless what they said about the limits of the SPA is just marketing chicanery, I don't see that happening.



Exactly. As much as I and many other enthusiasts think RWD is de riguer in buying a luxury car, the general buying public is either ambivalent or they are more open to having AWD as opposed to RWD. If they do offer AWD in the S/V90 as well as their other future offerings, the fact that it's not RWD-based system will be the factor that deters many potential customers.

It's number of cylinders, if you look under the bonnet of an XC90 it's very narrow under there, no way and inline 6 would fit. Which I think means if they want to up the cylinder count it has to be a transverse V configuration engine.

I'm sure they can make a V config VEA engine, it's just a new casting, the heads could be used.

 

[Giannis]

Why do they need a RWD platform when Audi doesn't have one and both BMW and Mercedes are embracing FWD?

Because of this:

Guys, let's focus here; RWD is not about handling perfection or driving pleasure hyperbole when it comes to luxury large saloons. It is so much more about refinement and, if I could use the word, decorum. Front wheel scrabble under stern acceleration is most undignified.

You just can't expect to rival the best from Germany and what else with an FWD sedan with front overhangs the size of a FIAT 500.

RWD here is not used for powerslides. It's a matter of prestige.

 

[martinbo]

The non-native English speaking Greek says it succinctly and best.

"It's a matter of prestige."

 

[KiwiRob]

Because of this:

You just can't expect to rival the best from Germany and what else with an FWD sedan with front overhangs the size of a FIAT 500.

RWD here is not used for powerslides. It's a matter of prestige.

How do you explain Audi? A lot of people aren't interested in which wheels are driven, and in many places with snow FWD trumps RWD.

 

[martinbo]

How do you explain Audi? A lot of people aren't interested in which wheels are driven, and in many places with snow FWD trumps RWD.

Easy. The A8 doesn't come in FWD.

Edit: I'm wrong - it does come in FWD in China and in Hybrid 2.0. Scratch that point.

 

[Centurion]

Because of this:

You just can't expect to rival the best from Germany and what else with an FWD sedan with front overhangs the size of a FIAT 500.

RWD here is not used for powerslides. It's a matter of prestige.

I think Volvo wants to re-establish themselves as a premium car brand rather than become prestigious. The Audi A6 is FWD and is selling very well. The only prestige that matter to most customers is the badge, soft leather, ample power and shiny garnish on the exterior.

Where FWD does make a difference to non-petrol heads is design. Massive front over-hang on sedans, especially larger than C-Class is terribly unattractive. So I'm with you on that one.

 

[Centurion]

A teaser has been posted on Volvo's Facebook page.

The car will be unveiled on Wednesday the 2nd of December:

http://www.volvocars.com/uk/cars/new-models/coming-soon

 

[klier]

Why do they need a RWD platform when Audi doesn't have one and both BMW and Mercedes are embracing FWD?

MB and BMW are not embracing FWD, they merely brought some cars to the market to compete with the endless waves of crappy FWD barges.

 

[Centurion]

MB and BMW are not embracing FWD, they merely brought some cars to the market to compete with the endless waves of crappy FWD barges.

I wouldn't call the A-Class, CLC or 2-series Active Tourer rivals to barges such as Skoda Superb or the Volvo S80.

 

[klier]

BMW and MB are not embracing FWD and that's that.

 

[Rolf]

Yep BMW and MB will always use RWD or AWD for their mid, executive and S-class models, so they are not embracing FWD.

 

[Centurion]

Yep BMW and MB will always use RWD or AWD for their mid, executive and S-class models, so they are not embracing FWD.

Small sized luxury cars are a fast growing segment. Don't be surprised if anything south of a 3-series or C-Class will eventually be FWD. That will include 1-series, 2-series, X1, X2, CLA, A-Class, B-Class. FWD's chunk of the luxury segment will gradually creep up.

 

[Giannis]

Small sized luxury cars are a fast growing segment. Don't be surprised if anything south of a 3-series or C-Class will eventually be FWD. That will include 1-series, 2-series, X1, X2, CLA, A-Class, B-Class. FWD's chunk of the luxury segment will gradually creep up.

I agree. RWD in the B and C segment will be extinct just like proper hot hatches. Now you can buy a hatchback with the horsepower of an entry level Ferrari, the traction of a high speed train and the involvement of your washing machine.

 

[LaArtist]

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[klier]

Small sized luxury cars are a fast growing segment. Don't be surprised if anything south of a 3-series or C-Class will eventually be FWD. That will include 1-series, 2-series, X1, X2, CLA, A-Class, B-Class. FWD's chunk of the luxury segment will gradually creep up.

Nope. By that time everyhing will be fully electric or at least hybrid, and the drivetrain will become completely irrelevant. Like the i8 for instance, technically it is fwd but we don't see it that way because electricity powers the rear wheels..

 

[KiwiRob]

MB and BMW are not embracing FWD, they merely brought some cars to the market to compete with the endless waves of crappy FWD barges.

And those ranges especially the way BMW is going will end up outselling there traditional RWD ranges in a few short years.

 

[klier]

These small cars will all be hybrid in a decade.

 

[KiwiRob]

Nope. By that time everyhing will be fully electric or at least hybrid, and the drivetrain will become completely irrelevant. Like the i8 for instance, technically it is fwd but we don't see it that way because electricity powers the rear wheels..

Not really it's 3 cylinder turd sits in the back, it's mid engined with an electric motor driving the front wheels. BMW also call it a transverse mid engine design in their marketing bumph.