Volvo has opened the UK order books for its new S90 saloon and V90 estate models. All models in the initial line-up are diesels, and prices start at £32,555 for the S90 and £34,555 for the V90.

The S90 and V90 are the latest models to be built on Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform and also benefit from Volvo’s new Drive-E powertrains. Like the XC90 before them, they feature the new Volvo “face”, including the T-shaped LED headlights.

Both models will initially be available with a choice of two 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engines – the tax-efficient D4 and the more powerful D5 PowerPulse – and in two trim levels, Momentum and Inscription.

The front-wheel-drive 187 BHP D4 comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and offers combined fuel consumption of 64.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of 116 g/km in the S90. In the V90, these figures are 62.8 mpg and 119 g/km.

The 232 BHP D5 utilises a technology called PowerPulse to boost responsiveness. This uses compressed air, which is stored in a tank in the engine bay and refilled automatically, to spool up the turbo at low revs. This helps to overcome turbo lag, which is the short delay in the power delivery experienced in traditional turbocharged engines. The D5 PowerPulse comes with all-wheel drive. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is also standard.

Entry-level Momentum cars come with leather upholstery, LED headlights with active high beam, two-zone climate control with ‘CleanZone’ air-filtration system, keyless engine starting and heated front seats.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system is also standard. This brings a 9-inch touch screen, satellite navigation (including lifetime annual map updates), a sophisticated voice-control system, as well as access to the internet and a range of cloud-based apps such as TuneIn, Stitcher and Yelp.

The S90 gets a powered bootlid, too, while the V90 benefits from a powered tailgate.

Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous drive feature, is standard on every S90 and V90. It automatically maintains a set speed or distance from the vehicle in front, braking and accelerating with the flow of traffic, and gives gentle steering inputs to keep the car within lane markings at motorway speeds up to 80 mph. Unlike previous versions of the system, it no longer needs to follow another car.

The latest version of City Safety braking is also fitted to every S90 and V90. This includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and the first application of large-animal detection. This feature helps to avoid or limit the severity of collisions with large animals such as deer or horses both at night and during the day.

The upper Inscription trim level adds Nappa soft leather upholstery, powered front seats, a 12.3-inch active TFT driver’s information display (Momentum cars get an 8-inch version), eighteen-inch diamond-cut/silver alloy wheels, keyless entry and handsfree boot/tailgate opening and closing. Additional premium touches include walnut interior inlays, rear footwell and side step illumination, and chrome exterior details.

The optional Xenium package is available across the range and adds a powered tilt and slide glass sunroof (panoramic in the V90), a parking camera system with 360 degree surround view, and Park Assist Pilot, which includes automatic parallel and 90 degree parking.

Apple CarPlay is available as well as a Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system, which offers eighteen speakers and an output of 1,400W.

Both models are available to order now, with the first S90 customer deliveries expected in September and the first V90s in October.