OK, we’ve most likely seen the production model already in the form of a Chinese scale model (which is fitting, given that the company is owned by China’s Geely) but Volvo’s mid-size luxury sedan is still under development.

Volvo is currently on a roll. The V40 is a strong (and pretty handsome) contender in the Golf class, the S60/V60 are worthy competitors against the 3-Series, C-Class et al, the new XC90 has received excellent reviews and sales are up.

Now it’s getting ready to replace the oldest model in its line-up, the S80. Its successor will be named the S90 and, quite predictably, it will soon be followed by the V70 estate and V90 XC crossover variant.

Built on the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform that also underpins the second-generation XC90, the S90 will incorporate some styling cues from the Concept Estate, albeit watered down for production.

The fresh photos that follow show a mule while testing in Spain. Even though it’s clearly the S90, we can’t quite figure why it’s fitted with roof rails. What we do know is that this particular car was the D4 with the 190 HP 2.0-liter diesel engine under the bonnet.

The diesel-powered versions are aimed at Europe and probably won’t make it Stateside, where the 316hp 2.0-liter turbo gasoline T6 and the 407hp 2.0-liter turbo and super-charged plug-in hybrid four T8 Twin-Engine will most likely be available.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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