Sunday 13 March 2016

Volvo readying long wheelbase S90

The S90L is a long-wheelbase variant of the carmaker's all-new S90 model; spied testing in China.


Volvo readying long wheelbase S90

Volvo's all-new flagship sedan, the S90 was unveiled recently, and the carmaker seems to be already working on a long-wheelbase version of its new sedan.

To be called S90L, test mules of the model have been spotted in China, a number of times. The S90L's appearance is identical to the standard sedan's, but gets a longer rear door for the extra length. Going by the spy pictures, this version of the S90 seems to have a good extension over its already-long 2,941mm wheelbase, and is aimed at chauffeur-driven customers.

Chinese car buyers are known for their preference for extended wheelbase models. To cater to the local demand, many carmakers offer special China-spec 'L' versions of standard models, some of which are even based on SUVs.

Volvo currently sells China-specific, long-wheelbase versions of the S80 and the S60 sedans. When launched, the new S90L will replace the S80L. Its prime rivals include long-wheelbase versions of the BMW 5-series, the Mercedes E-class and the Audi A6.

For now, these extended versions are only for the China market and are offered as left-hand drives. However, Mercedes-Benz is likely to buck the trend and develop a right-hand-drive derivative of its long-wheelbase E-class, and make it available in other markets, including India.

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