Matthew Dolan

Detroit Free Press

Volvo unveiled an experimental self-driving car program at the Detroit auto show Monday while announcing a new company founded by the automaker to pursue autonomous driving.

Volvo also featured its elegant V90 station wagon at the Detroit auto show Monday, completing a trio of large vehicles began with the acclaimed XC90 SUV and S90 sedan.

Roomy and advanced, the V90 is a reminder of the durable wagons that made Volvo a family favorite for generations. A host of safety and driver assistance features, Bowers & Wilkins audio and Volvo’s tablet-style controls are available.

The V90 comes in 250-horsepower front-wheel drive and 316-horsepower all-wheel drive models. Deliveries begin this summer.

"It’s probably one of the best station wagons on the market right now," said Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, calling it "safe, comfortable, highly advanced and even fun to drive."

But Brauer warned Americans have traditionally ignored station wagons no matter how good they are.

"I don’t see the V90 changing this, though younger buyers who don’t see a stigma associated with wagons might give it a try," he said. "If they do, they’ll like what they find."

In a departure from usual practice, the V90 will be available only as a special order. Volvo dealers will not stock the big wagon, instead ordering cars direct from the factory built specifically for each customer. Customers can pick their car up from a U.S. dealer or from the factory in Torslanda, Sweden.

Volvo has attracted accolades from the critics. Its XC90 crossover SUV was the Detroit Free Press truck of the year in 2016. In May, the Swedish brand provided a look at its upcoming family of compact cars and SUVs, including a plug-in hybrid and an electric car.

The new SUV and sedan come from a vehicle family Volvo calls the 40 series. They should go on sale in the U.S. in 2018 and ’19, respectively, according to IHS Automotive.

The XC90 SUV dominated truck/SUV of the year contests last year and the S90 luxury sedan and wagon are among 2016’s most eagerly awaited newcomers. A compact SUV to replace the XC60 and midsize sedan replacement for the S60 are expected in the next year or so.

The new compacts are the final major piece in an ambitious $11-billion strategy Volvo embarked on several years ago, after Chinese automaker Geely bought the Swedish brand from Ford during the Great Recession. The massive engineering program has included developing two vehicle architectures, new engines, hybrids and electric vehicles. Volvo’s designers also completely rethought the inside and outside of the brand that was long famous for its boxy looks, safety and practicality.

Contact Matthew Dolan: 313-223-4743 or msdolan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewsdolan. Staff writer Mark Phelan contributed to this report.