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Volvo S90 and V90 R-Design revealed - sporty look for handsome saloon and estate

Volvo's latest luxury saloon and estate get the sporting treatment, with R-Design touches inside and out

Volvo has revealed the look of its sporty R-Design package for the attractive new S90 saloon and V90 estate, with order books opening today.

Changes are as subtle as the cars on which they’re based, but the R-Design package now endows each car with a little extra presence – and hints at the look of any Polestar variants in each model’s future.

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Both cars receive a new front-end treatment, with a redesigned bumper (including integrated fog lights), as well as a grille unique to R-Design models and piano black trim at both the front and back.

R-Design cars also get a new five-spoke alloy wheel design in a matt black and diamond-cut finish.

Inside, both cars are a little more sombre than their lightly-coloured standard counterparts, with only a metal finish to the pedal and some cabin details to contrast the black leather trim.

There’s a sports steering wheel though, and the overall design is as easy on the eye as ever. Also new are the contoured sports seats, which feature heavy bolstering and a surprisingly narrow profile.

Volvo also says R-Design models use an ‘advanced sport chassis’, but doesn’t elaborate further – expect firmer suspension without recourse to a punishing ride quality.

Full specification and engine details are also yet to be confirmed (as is pricing), but given R-Design trim is available widely on other Volvo models, expect the full range of 2-litre, turbocharged diesel four-pots available in regular S90 and V90s, with power outputs from 187bhp to 232bhp. The latter models come with standard all-wheel drive.

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