When Volvo unveiled the gorgeous Concept Coupe in 2013, very few enthusiasts actually thought that the Swedes will turn it into a production car without heavy alterations. Fortunately, most of the concept’s sleek design made it onto the S90 — the sedan that replaced the S80 as Volvo’s flagship model and a competitor for the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Sporty yet elegant and boasting a luxurious interior and powerful, but efficient engines, the S90 brings Volvo into a new era, one during which the brand may actually stand a chance against its premium European competitors.

But what about a coupe? Will Volvo offer a production model similar to the concept car? It turns out it will, with a two-door version of the S90 reportedly to arrive by the end of the decade.

Speaking to Auto Express at the S90's unveiling event in Gothenburg, Sweden, Volvo’s senior vice president of design Thomas Ingenlath laid out out the company’s five-year plan, which includes a two-door coupe. However, while the V90 has already arrived, a coupe won’t be launched until Volvo rolls out a new lineup of compacts (S60, V60, XC60), the XC40, and a new all-electric model. All told, the coupe will be pushed back to around 2019, about the same time when the S90 will receive its first facelift.

Granted, the S90 Coupe (possibly the C90) is still a long ways off, but that didn’t stop us from creating a rendering of the production model and speculating upon what it may bring to the table. Keep reading to find out more.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2020 Volvo S90 Coupe.

2020 Volvo S90 Coupe

Specifications
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  • Model: 2020 Volvo S90 Coupe
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

Note: Volvo S90 sedan pictured here.

As seen in our rendering, we think that the S90 Coupe will retain much of the concept's styling features, which already debuted on a production car with the launch of the S90. The front fascia will be identical to both the sedan and the wagon, with notable differences toward the rear. While the wheelbase is likely to be similar (if anything, maybe a couple of inches shorter), the roof will be redesigned from the ground up. Look for a slightly more angled windshield, significantly longer doors (for easier access to the rear seats) and side windows, and a sloping roofline toward the deck lid.

Speaking of the deck lid, if the production model stays true to the concept, and that is likely to happen according to Volvo, it will be unusually long compared to vehicles such as the Mercedes E-Class Coupe and BMW 6 Series, and even the S-Class Coupe. Around back, expect the S90 Coupe to borrow almost everything for the sedan. The bumper and the C-shaped taillights are likely to remain the same, but the overall appearance will change due to the slightly more muscular rear haunches and mildly revised trunk lid. In all, the S90 Coupe should be a sportier and more elegant rendition of the sedan.

Interior

Note: Volvo S90 sedan pictured here.

The interior too will be similar to the S90's, meaning the coupe will come with a stylish dashboard with large wood inserts and vertical A/C vents flanking the massive tablet-like touchscreen, the clutter-free center console, and an overall luxurious feel. Volvo will probably operate a few changes in order to give the coupe an appearance of its own, but don't expect anything big.

While the driver and front passenger area will be very similar to the sedan's, the rear section will receive significant changes. The missing rear doors will make way for new side panels, while headroom and shoulder room will diminish due to the sloping roofline and smaller C-pillars. Legroom shouldn't decrease much, and, although the S90 Coupe will make a comfortable ride for rear-seat passengers, it won't be as comfortable as the sedan.

Note: Volvo S90 sedan pictured here.0}

Note: Volvo S90 sedan pictured here.

Since it will be built on the same architecture as the S90 and V90, the S90 Coupe will use the same drivetrains as its siblings. The lineup includes two gasoline engines, two diesels, and a hybrid, all built around 2.0-liter four-cylinder units.

The gasoline range should include the turbocharged T5 rated at 254 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and the turbocharged and supercharged T6, which cranks out 316 horses and 295 pound-feet. On the diesel font, customers can choose between the 190-horsepower, 295-pound-feet D4 and the 225-horsepower, 346-pound-feet D5. Finally, the T8 hybrid, which pairs a 2.0-liter, turbocharged and supercharged four-banger and a 60-kW (80-horsepower) electric motor connected to the rear axle, which is good for 410 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. All-electric range is rated at 25 miles.

It’s very likely that these figures will remain unchanged for the coupe, but they could be altered by the time the two-door arrives. If the coupe is launched after the S90 receives its mid-cycle facelift, we could see improvements across the range, mainly in the output department.

Transmission options should include an eight-speed automatic and a six-speed manual. By 2019, however, Volvo is likely to introduce a new manual gearbox.

Unless the Swedes change their mind, the coupe will cross the pond to the U.S. with only the gasoline and hybrid drivetrains.

Drivetrain

It’s too early to talk about prices, but given that the S90 retails from $46,950 with the T5 engine, the coupe could fetch at least $50,000 before options. On the other hand, it shouldn't be more expensive than the current Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, which starts from $54,200 for the 2017 model year.

In Europe, where the S90 is also offered with diesel powerplants and pricing is set at £32,555 (around $43,000) before options, the coupe could come in at around £36,000 (about $47,520).

Note: Volvo S90 sedan pictured here.0}

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

Much like the S90 Coupe, the E-Class Coupe is a mystery as of June 2016, other than the fact that it will borrow styling cues from the recently launched sedan. We also that that the redesigned model will arrive sometime in 2017, about two years earlier than its Swedish competitor. Spy photos suggest the E-Class will get all-new styling, likely based on the S-Class Coupe's and a redesigned, more stylish interior. New tech will also be available under the hood, including a gasoline 241-horsepower four-cylinder for the U.S., and a range of 2.0- and 3.0-liter diesels for the European market.. A hybrid is also on the table, as well as a beefed-up AMG variant with a 4.0-liter V-8.

Find out more about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe here.

BMW 6 Series

By the time the S90 Coupe arrives, the 6 Series will also get a makeover. Already four years old as of 2015 and having received its midlife update at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the coupe will pass onto a new generation around 2018, switching to a new platform and a design language based on the brand-new 7 Series. Powerplant options are likely to include 3.0-liter straight-six units running on both gasoline and diesel for non-M models and a revised version of the twin-turbo, 4.4-liter V-8 for the M6.

Read more about the BMW 6 Series here.

Conclusion

While the S90 Coupe is still a mystery -- heck, we don't even know its actual name -- the existing S90 sedan and Volvo's strategy for the near future provide plenty of hints as to what the upcoming two-door will bring to the table. Judging by the newly-launched S90, the coupe has to be a winner, especially to those in the market for a vehicle that's both stylish and luxurious, while employing powerful yet frugal drivetrains and the latest safety technology. Granted, Volvo is still far from being the BMW->ke178 and Mercedes->ke187 competitor it wants to be, but the XC90 and S90 are two important steps and the S90 Coupe will further define the brand as a strong player in the premium segment. Volvo is in dire need of a proper coupe after discontinuing the C70, which was available as a retractable hard-top convertible until 2013, and the S90 two-door is an important move toward lineup diversity, a goal the Swedes need to achieve in order to become a key competitor in a market dominated by German products. If the S90 Coupe becomes the car in our speculative rendering, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz need to start looking over their shoulders in the midsize segment.