FOR more than three decades, Volvo’s flagship sedans have defined understated luxury, intelligent engineering, and forward-thinking design.
From the iconic 960 to the sophisticated S90, each generation of large Volvo sedan has reflected the values of its time, with safety and refinement remaining key tenets across all generations. Now, with the arrival of the new ES90, that legacy moves into a fully electric future.
Every flagship Volvo has been a statement of intent. The ES90 continues this tradition, embodying the very best of Scandinavian design and sustainable innovation. Built on Volvo’s next-generation SPA2 electric architecture, the ES90 combines long-range performance, cutting-edge connectivity, and a cabin designed to be as serene as it is smart.
The 960 and first-generation S90 — the beginning of modern Volvo luxury
Introduced in 1990, the Volvo 960 was one of the marque’s first vehicles to feature styling by Peter Horbury, the late automotive designer whose influence shaped the manufacturer in the decade to come. While still boxy and conservative, the 960 donned a more contemporary fascia with slimmer headlights and a refined grille, with an even more modern look being introduced for the 1994 facelift.
While the 960 wasn’t a common sight on South African roads, this range-topping Volvo had performance to compete with the very best of Europe’s luxury sedans. The powerful 2.9-litre inline-six available in the top model developed a respectable 150 kW and 267 N.m of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, other markets received turbocharged four-cylinder options, along with an available manual transmission. Over the eight-year production run, Volvo produced 154,329 examples, of which 112,710 were sedans. The 960 would eventually be called the S90, bringing it in line with Volvo’s new naming convention that came with the 1995 debut of the S40. The 960/S90 was the last Volvo to offer rear-wheel drive, until the arrival of the XC40 Recharge Single Motor.
Is that a Volvo? — the innovative S80 arrives
The first-generation S80 marked a bold step forward for the Gothenburg-based brand. With a transverse-mounted inline-six engine (although inline five engines were also available), the S80 stunned with its innovative design, penned by the aforementioned Horbury. With its pronounced shoulder lines, it pushed the Volvo brand into the 21st century, redefining what a Swedish luxury sedan should look like.
Importantly, Volvo used the S80 to debut important safety technology, namely WHIPS (Whiplash Injury Protection System), which, together with a specially-designed head-restraint and smart seat, absorbs energy in rear-end collisions, reducing the risk of whiplash injuries to occupants. The other was the Inflatable Curtain, an airbag system designed to keep first- and second-row passengers safe in the event of a side impact or rollover.
At the top of the lineup sat the 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six, which delivered power and torque comparable to a V8 engine, with 210 kW and 380 N.m of torque, but with considerably better claimed fuel consumption of just 11.1 L/100 km (combined). Environmental concern was just as important to Volvo back then as it is now, with the S80 designed to be eco-friendly, with 85% of the vehicle’s total weight being recyclable.
S80 reimagined — the second generation arrives
In 2006, it was time to replace the first-generation S80 with an all-new model. Larger and more luxurious than its predecessor, the second S80 was the first (and last) Volvo sedan to be offered with a powerful V8. The naturally-aspirated 4.4-litre (co-designed by Volvo and Yamaha) is widely regarded by enthusiasts to be one of the most mellifluous-sounding eight-cylinders of the 21st century.
The second-generation S80 was in production for 10 years. During that time, it was offered with an array of interesting engines, the 1.6D DRIVe being the smallest and most economical of them all. What it lacked in power, it made up for in efficiency, with the 80 kW/240 N.m turbodiesel motor returning an exceptional claimed 4.5L/100 km, which was class-leading at the time for an executive sedan.
The return of the S90 — Scandinavian luxury for a new era
When the S90 badge made its return in 2016, it signalled Volvo’s shift into true modern luxury. Built on the brand’s then-new SPA platform, the S90 introduced a cleaner, more architectural design language, with broad surfaces, crisp lines, and the signature Thor’s Hammer headlights. Inside, it showcased Volvo’s minimalist interior design, centred around natural materials and intuitive technology, showcasing how sophistication could be expressed through calm, uncluttered design.
An efficient lineup of engines, along with the powerful 340 kW T8 plug-in hybrid, demonstrated Volvo’s commitment to performance without excess. Quiet, confident, and unmistakably Swedish, the S90 set the tone for Volvo’s flagship sedans in the decade that followed, bridging the gap between traditional luxury and the electric future now embodied by the ES90.
The ES90 — The future of Volvo’s flagship
Now, the story continues with the all-electric ES90. As Volvo’s first fully electric executive sedan, it delivers the sophistication expected of the brand’s flagship, redefined through sustainability and smart efficiency. With exceptional range, rapid charging, and intelligent driver assistance, the ES90 represents the next step in Volvo’s electrification journey.
In early 2026, the ES90 is expected to arrive as part of Volvo’s ongoing electrification journey. Blending the elegance of a sedan, the versatility of a fastback, and the spaciousness of an SUV, it introduces a fresh dimension of all-electric mobility. Built on the advanced SPA2 architecture, which also underpins the EX90, and powered by next-generation core computing, it offers an exceptional WLTP-estimated range of 700 km, along with class-leading safety systems that include Volvo’s latest driver-understanding technology.
Inside, a spacious and thoughtfully designed cabin features premium materials, cutting-edge infotainment powered by Google, and an immersive Bowers and Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos. A panoramic roof and advanced air purification further enhance the sense of a mobile sanctuary.
“Every flagship Volvo has marked a turning point, from the 960 to the S90,” commented Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa. “With each generation, we’ve redefined what luxury, safety, and innovation mean for our customers. The ES90 represents our next transformation: luxury defined by sustainability, smart efficiency, and the most advanced technology we’ve ever brought to a sedan.”
