Volvo's uber-luxurious XC90 Excellence debuted at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show last week, but at this point there's no information available regarding pricing for the Swedish marque's forthcoming flagship.

That said, we have learned what buyers will pony up to leave the showroom with more humble variants of the current range-topper, the T8 'Twin Engine' plug-in hybrid. Trim nomenclature and appointments will mirror what we've seen with the T6 gasoline-only models, though there will be a hefty premium—nearly $20k—to step up to the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The base Momentum versions will begin at $69,095, opening bids for the sportyR-Design models will start at $70,995, and the range-topping Inscription series will list at $72,595. All prices include a $995 delivery charge, though all stickers are certain to inflate as buyers add options.

While the T8 won't arrive in U.S. showrooms until the fall—its cheaper T6 sibling will be available in June—overseas sales for the hybrid models have been brisk, which bodes well for Volvo, which is looking to demonstrate it can compete with the Teutonic triad of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the upper echelons of the luxury SUV market.

The XC90's styling is certainly on par with anything the Germans can bring to the table, and the technology under the skin is no less impressive. Between its twin-charged—meaning it utilizes both a turbo- and supercharger—2.0-liter engine and electrically-drive rear axle, the big Volvo can get to 60 mph in a hair under six seconds, though realistically, it's unlikely to be bought by anyone looking to bury the throttle at every time the lights turn green.

The more important metric will most likely be how efficient the rival Audi Q7 e-tron quattro, BMW X5 xDrive 40e and Mercedes-Benz GLE550e plug-ins can be when drivers keep their foot out of the carpet. Regardless, we're curious to see how the sole Swedish entry fares in the marketplace.

Volvo Cars will unveil the most luxurious vehicle ever built by the Swedish company in its 88 year history at the Shanghai International Automobile Show – an elegant and refined four-seat version of its recently launched XC90.

The XC90 Excellence has been crafted by Volvo’s designers and engineers to offer customers a distinct and individual automotive experience that incorporates the latest Scandinavian innovations in design, refinement, comfort and style.

The XC90 Excellence is based on Volvo’s all new XC90 sports utility vehicle, but the similarity ends there. The XC90 Excellence has just four seats compared to the original’s seven, creating an enormous amount of additional space for rear seat passengers that helps to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

This space is utilised to offer a First Class automotive experience that begins with broad, spacious individual reclining rear seats complete with massage, ventilation and increased leg room, as well as a retractable control touchscreen, folding tables, a refrigerator with bottle and glass holders, a heating/cooling cup holder and handmade crystal glasses from leading Swedish glass design company, Orrefors.

“This is our new flagship car,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design. “We have created the ultimate luxury experience of Scandinavian design. Volvo has never launched a car like this before. This is the car that demonstrates what the name Volvo now means.”

The XC90 Excellence offers its passengers footrests, ambient lighting, illuminated storage and unique leather detailing in blond or charcoal, a luggage compartment dividing screen, additional sound insulation in the cabin and Pirelli Noise Cancelling System tyres (PNCS).

XC90 Excellence passengers will also enjoy a specially-augmented Bowers & Wilkins audio system that adds an extra speaker to its 19 speaker system, resulting in unrivalled high fidelity sound reproduction and surround effect in the rear seats.

“What we have designed is amongst the best rear seat experiences available in a luxury car,” said Mr Ingenlath. “The result is a superlative environment for relaxed comfort or doing business.”

Reinforcing the Swedish love of fresh air, the XC90 Excellence also comes with an integrated ionic air cleaner in the CleanZone climate system. The ionic air cleaner works by positively charging electrons in airborne particles (dust or smoke for example) so they are removed from suspension in the cabin environment.

The XC90 Excellence also offers a leather instrument panel with contrasting thread, while the headliner of the cabin is colour coordinated pure Nubuck textile. Exterior styling differentiators including an Excellence rank mark, chrome B- and C-pillar cappings and lower door mouldings.

Volvo’s all new XC90, launched in August 2014, is proving to be extremely popular with customers seeking a luxury SUV. Over 24,000 have been ordered before it has even reached Volvo showrooms. This accounts for approximately half of Volvo’s expected volume for the car in 2015.

The XC90 Excellence incorporates all the features that underpin the XC90’s ongoing success, such as world leading safety features, new powertrain technologies and an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency.

The XC90 Excellence will be available globally later this year and via digital commerce in selected markets.

After introducing new generations of nearly every model in its lineup, Volvo is now taking the time to refresh the oldest members of the range. Case in point, the Swedish manufacturer has just released official photos and details about the facelifted version of its flagship vehicle, the XC90 large SUV.

After 320,000 sales since its introduction, the luxury sport utility vehicle is getting a minor visual makeover which includes a new radiator grille that is in-line with the brand’s latest offerings, as well as new wheel options and exterior colors.

Nothing has been changed on the inside as Volvo believes the XC90’s “superlative and award-winning interior design” is up to date and needs no improvements. Still, there is a range of new seating configurations, which means the vehicle can be now ordered in five-, six, and seven-seat cabin layouts. The second and third rows of seats can be folded in different ways ensuring the XC90 is basically available with any number of seats.

By far the most important improvement over the outgoing version is the addition of a new kinetic energy recovery braking system, for which Volvo claims can save up to 15 percent fuel in real-world driving. Under a new B badge, the system is coupled to the SUV’s existing internal combustion engines to create “a new integrated electrified powertrain.”

The company’s top-of-the-line high-riding vehicle is also benefitting from a number of assistance systems that were introduced in the S90/V90, S60/V60, and XC60 between 2015 and now. These include the Oncoming Lane Mitigation, City Safety with Autobrake, and Cross Traffic Alert systems. In combination with the XC90’s safety cage, these technologies should make the large SUV “one of the safest cars on the road.”

On the infotainment side, the model is finally getting an Android Auto compatibility with integrated Spotify music streaming “where available.”

Production of the 2020 XC90 will begin in May this year with order books already opened worldwide.

It’s not really a secret that Volvo is working on the next-generation XC90 and its all-electric version. We’ve heard different rumors about its name and specifications, but it seems that everything will be unveiled later this year. It will become the brand’s new flagship model and take an important place in the company’s electrification strategy.

Volvo’s CEO Jim Rowan recently confirmed to Autocar the electric successor to the XC90 will make its full debut during the final quarter of this year. It will arrive as a dedicated electric vehicle and will sit on a new bespoke platform not shared with any other product within Volvo’s model lineup.

"It's a very exciting time for us because it takes us into another sphere – it's another building block towards the future,” Rowan told the publication. “That model itself is an extremely important vehicle for us.” A Volvo spokesman also added that "defined by software,” the electric SUV is “a demonstration of our future and marks the start of a new era for safety, and the company."

Leaked patent renderings from earlier this year previewed the zero-emissions SUV design and it seems that Volvo will bet on a bold and futuristic-looking boxy machine. The overall shape and proportions won’t be a drastic departure from the current XC90, but pop-out door handles and a new take on the company’s traditional taillights will make a huge difference.

There’s some mystery surrounding the name of the new electric SUV from Sweden. The automaker filed a trademark application for the name Embla with the European Union Intellectual Property Office late last year, but there have also been rumors that the model could receive the EXC90 moniker. Whatever the case is, we will know everything before the end of this year.

As far as we know, the new electric SUV will only be a temporary flagship SUV to the brand as Volvo is reportedly also cooking up a fullsize XC100 (name not confirmed). It will be heavily inspired by the 2021 Recharge concept and will have a purely electric powertrain.