By Chris Russon on 2015-12-02 - The driving force behind Eurekar. Chris heads up a team of motoring correspondents under the Driving Force banner. Prior to Driving Force becoming independent in 2010 he was Chief Motoring Editor for Trinity Mirror Regional newspapers. Chris has been writing about cars for almost 40 years.
SWEDISH car maker Volvo is making a return to the luxury saloon market with a sleek-looking new model called the S90.
Due to make its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January the S90 will come loaded with technology, including a system which will enable it to almost drive itself at motorway speeds.
Following on from the recently launched XC90 SUV - which is now available in sporty R-Design trim - the new saloon continues Volvo's comeback in the premium sector.
As well as a semi-autonomous drive mode the S90 will also be available as a plug-in hybrid and will come fitted with an anti-collision system that can now detect large animals.
Since becoming part of the Chinese-owned Geely organisation the company has invested more than £5 billion in new models and engines over the past five years.
Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice president in charge of design at Volvo said: "Our idea was to bring something entirely new to this rather conservative segment and deliver a visual expression that exudes leadership and confidence on the exterior.
"On the inside, we have taken the S90 to the next level, delivering a high-end luxury experience that promises comfort and control."
The interior of the S90 has the same quality of trim as used in the XC90 which in the latest R-Design specification is priced from £49,785.
The R-Design versions are available with Volvo's D5 diesel and T6 petrol Drive-E four cylinder engines and with the T8 petrol-electric plug-in system all of which are likely to be used in the new saloon.
As well as 20-inch alloys the R-Design cars come with black gloss mesh grilles, silver-capped door mirrors and tinted rear windows while inside they are fitted with leather sports seats and a 12.3-inch TFT instrument display panel.