The Volvo EX90 will be locally assembled in Malaysia very soon, and more than that, the CKD model will be the latest 800V version of the flagship electric SUV that was just announced for global markets last month. Meanwhile, existing CBU EX90 owners will be offered a free software and hardware upgrade to its core computer.
This is according to Chris Wailes, MD of Volvo Car Malaysia & Thailand, who told paultan.org that VCM will stay true to its initial promise made at launch earlier this year of producing the EX90 at its Shah Alam plant. Perfect timing, then, seeing that the tax holiday for CBU EVs is coming to an end in just over two months’ time.
The MY2026 EX90 update is fairly minor – visually, at least – with the big change being a switch to an 800V electrical architecture. This upgrade from the previous 400V system allows for much faster DC charging, going up from 250 kW currently to 350 kW.
There’s also the secondary benefit of better power delivery for faster acceleration and a slight bump in energy efficiency, but any or all changes should be fairly minimal beyond the significantly quicker charging. And even that will require the use of a DC charger fast enough to take full advantage of it, of which there are only a few in Malaysia so far.
Another revision is a new core computer featuring dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin chips, matching the newer ES90 electric sedan. Also likely to arrive on the updated CKD EX90 are the 6 Seater option and electrochromic panoramic roof, both remedying the current model’s two biggest bugbears: plain-Jane second row seating and a clear glass roof without a powered sunshade.
At the same time, existing owners of the EX90 won’t be left holding the bag entirely, as their vehicles will be offered the same MY2026 core computer update. According to Volvo, this is both a hardware and software upgrade, adding advanced core systems and modules that will improve its overall performance and reduce battery drainage.
Following the hardware upgrade – which will require a physical visit to a Volvo service centre – the vehicle will receive an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will automatically install new and improved features relating to assisted driving, safety interventions and warnings and assisted parking. Owners will be notified by their Volvo dealers as and when the upgrade is available.
GALLERY: 2025 Volvo EX90
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