2015 Volvo SC90 Sports Sedan Concept is Hot

Technically sanctioned by Volvo, the S90 was thought up by Nouphone J. Bansasine while studying at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center.

With a more aggressive nose and its fastback roof line, the slippery 4-door coupe would be a very welcome successor to the oh-so-bland S80. Something like the S90 could help Volvo reinvent itself as truly stylish, mid-range luxury in order to tackle the world.

With the new S60 sedan already poised to fight the 3-Series, a car providing CLS looks at an E-Class price is definitely going to be necessary for Volvo to keep its momentum going.

Since this is just a design study, there's nothing official about the power train. Even so, it wouldn't be a stretch to picture this with a hybrid setup for people who bleed green and a higher-output T6 and all-wheel-drive for those who still bleed red.

If this is a hint at where Volvo is going, it might be in good hands.

By Phil Alex

Designer: Nouphone J. Bansasine , Via: Yankodesign & Carbody

Volvo Prices the New S60 to take on Everyone, Starts from $38,550

Volvo Cars North America LLC is set to release its first (and arguably most important) vehicle since the brand was picked up by Chinese Geely: the 2011 S60 saloon. Barring any unforeseen problems (like the recent crash-mitigation ordeal), it should be picking up right where its forebear left off: trying to reinforce Volvo's entry in the mid-size sport-sedan market.

Coming in at a starting point of $38,550 ($37,700 plus $850 for destination charges), the new S60 hopes to pull in buyers from the mainstays. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Lexus? Volvo wants to take them down to China Town.

Here's how: standard all-wheel-drive, standard 300-horse T6, standard 18-inch wheels, standard Bluetooth / HD radio, and a standard "segment leading Safe + Secure Coverage Plan" (5-year / 60,000 mile coverage for New Car Warranty, Scheduled Maintenence, and Wear & Tear, with 5-year unlimited mile roadside assistance).

On the provided chart (click on the picture on your left) , the Volvo looks like a real contender. Mercedes and Lexus don't even offer AWD for the V6 models, while the BMW charges a premium for it. A similarly-priced Audi with AWD only provides the 2.0T, which has 89 fewer ponies under the hood.

Only the 306-horsepower Lexus out-powers the S60, but the T6 trumps its competition in the torque department with 325 lb-ft.

Don't forget, just because everything looks good on paper does not necessarily mean it translates into the real world. For that, we'll just have to be patient for a head-to-head comparison.

By Phil Alex