News Source: topspeed.com

Discontinued in 1998 after only two years on the market, the V90 will return as Volvo’  s flagship wagon in 2016. Although a launch date has yet to be provided, the V90 was confirmed by the Swedish automaker and its design surfaced the Interwebz ahead of time by means of leaked photos of 1:43 diecast model cars (just like it happened to the S90 sedan)  .

The V90 will be built on Volvo’s new Scaleable Production Architecture platform, which already underpins the XC90 SUV  and the S90.  That means the wagon will likely use the same drivetrains as the S90, which in turn borrowed them from the XC90.  Likewise, the V90 will feature the same design language as the sedan and get a similar interior. Of course, the wagon  will have a redesigned rear end and a more practical interior with enhanced luggage space.

Whether the V90 will be sold Stateside is unknown, but should Volvo bring it here, it will be a nice change of pace for the market, which only offers a handful of wagons as of 2015. Volvo still sells the V60  in North America. but discontinued the larger V70  after the 2011 model year and promoted the perched XC70  as a replacement.

While the V90 may seem like a mystery at this point, the fact that Volvo already released plenty of details on the brand-new S90 makes it easier to speculate about what the wagon will bring to the table. And, we will do just that in the review below.

Updated 01/04/2015: The first images of the upcoming Volvo V90 leaked online revealing pretty much all we knew so far: its just a station wagon version of the recently launched S90.

When Volvo unveiled the S90, it also revealed more than half of the V90’s design, as the two cars will be identical between the nose and the B-pillars. We had no idea what the rear section would look like, but we assumed it should be similar to the XC90’s in order for the V90 to stay true to Volvo’s new styling language.

Now that model cars of the V90 have surfaced the Web, we have confirmation that the large wagon will continue to employ Volvo  ’s traditional taillights that extend upward on the tailgate. At the same time, the V90 is a significant departure from its predecessor, as Volvo dropped the boxy design in favor of a sportier roof section with a raked rear windscreen. Although it looks sporty and modern, the new styling might prove upsetting to old-school enthusiasts, not to mention that it may impact trunk space.

Using the leaked images of the model car and the S90’s official photos, we created a rendering of the V90’s rear fascia so you can see for yourself.

Note: Volvo S90 sedan pictured here.

Much like the exterior, the V90’s interior will also be based on the S90’s. Specifically, look for both the front and rear-passenger compartments to be identical in terms of styling and equipment, meaning the wagon will come with the same dashboard with large wood inserts and vertical A/C vents flanking the tablet-like touchscreen, a tall and clean center console, and an overall premium feel — thanks to the numerous soft-touch surfaces and excellent fit and finish. In short, the V90 will be quite fancy for a wagon, even if compared with products from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

While leg, shoulder, and headroom will remain similar for the rear-seat passengers, luggage space will increase dramatically thanks to the wagon configuration. A foldable rear seat will further increase cargo room, making the V90 not only one of the most luxurious wagons on the market, but also a practical grocery getter and a perfect vacation car.

Since it will ride on the same architecture as the S90 and XC90, it’s only natural to assume that the V90 will use the same drivetrains as its siblings. Volvo has already confirmed that all units available with the SUV will be offered for the sedan, which means that the wagon will also feature two gasoline engines, two diesels, and a hybrid.

The gasoline range includes the turbocharged T5 with 254 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and the turbocharged and supercharged T6, which generates 316 horses and 295 pound-feet.

The diesel lineup with its 190 horsepower and 295-pound-feet of twist and the D5, which cranks out 225 horsepower and 346-pound-feet.

Customers in need of a greener, more fuel-efficient wagon will be able to order the V90 with the T8 hybrid, which pairs a 2.0-liter, turbocharged and supercharged four-banger and a 60-kW (80-horsepower) electric motor. The combo delivers 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque.

Transmission options will include an eight-speed automatic and a six-speed manual.

In the U.S., only the gasoline and hybrid setups will be offered, with the diesels to go on sale in Europe and other markets.