On the back of Volvos commitment to becoming an all-electric carmaker by 2035, Volvo unveiled the latest flagship vehicle to their range, the EX90. This 7 seater luxury SUV will be leading the charge into a more sustainable future for the Swedish brand.
Charged up for the future
Unveiled to the world in downtown Stockholm, the new Volvo EX90 is the new flagship of the brand which is aiming to hit the target of full electrification by 2030. Looking to unveil one all-new vehicle a year until its target is met, Volvo is stamping its authority on an ambitious plan to be a fully sustainable, zero-emissions company by 2040. The EX90 represents the beginning of that commitment and looks to be the best offering yet from the Swedish company.
A true seven-seater, the EX90 is a versatile, stylish family car with modern proportions, combined with cutting-edge technology in core computing, connectivity and electrification to optimise safety, efficiency and aesthetics. Built, at first, in the USA and scheduled for Chinese production later on, the EX90 is the first Volvo car with all the necessary hardware to enable bi-directional charging. It’s a technology whereby you can use your car battery as an extra energy supply, for example, to power your home, other electric devices or another electric Volvo car. Volvo plans to make bi-directional charging available in the future, starting in selected markets.
Safety first
The new EX90 will be one of Volvo’s safest vehicles yet. The EX90 has an invisible shield of safety enabled by the latest sensing technology, inside and outside. State-of-the-art sensors like cameras, radars and lidar are connected to the car’s high-performance core computers, where NVIDIA DRIVE runs Volvo Cars’ in-house software to create a real-time, 360-degree view of the world. The EX90 can “see” small objects hundreds of metres ahead, creating more time to inform, act and avoid. The sensors also contribute to improving the reliability and overall performance of our assisted driving function Pilot Assist, with new steering support while changing lanes.
Inside, the invisible shield of safety also looks out for you. Special sensors and cameras, powered by Volvo’s own in-house developed algorithms, gauge eye gaze concentration. The technology allows the Volvo EX90 to understand when you’re distracted, drowsy or otherwise inattentive, beyond what has been possible in a Volvo car to date. It’ll alert you, first softly nudging, then more insistent. And if the unthinkable happens, and you fall asleep or are taken ill while driving, the Volvo EX90 is designed to safely stop and call for help. With all of this integrated smart safety tech, the Volvo EX90 is the first Volvo that’s hardware-ready for unsupervised driving in the future.
Living with tech
The Volvo EX90 won’t be just a new car, it will be a highly advanced computer on wheels. Even better, just like your smartphone or your laptop, the Volvo EX90 is designed to get better over time, thanks to regular over-the-air software updates. By combining the state-of-the-art computing power from Snapdragon’ Cockpit Platforms with the visualisation capabilities of Unreal Engine, the 3D tool developed by Epic Games and used to power some of the world’s largest games, to give you lightning-fast computing power and high-quality graphics on the in-car screens and head-up display.
A 14.5-inch centre screen is your gateway to one of the best infotainment systems on offer, with Google built-in. Google apps and services including hands-free help from Google Assistant, Google Maps navigation and more of your favourite apps on Google Play all come built-in. The displays in the Volvo EX90 help you keep your eyes on the road by offering you the right information at the right time. The Volvo EX90 will also be compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay.
Thanks to the standard 5G connection where available, it’s never been easier to install the apps you need on your home screen and enjoy highly intuitive navigation. You can also stream your favourite music through the new, reference-quality Bowers & Wilkins audio system featuring Dolby Atmos as a Volvo-first, plus head rest-integrated speakers for immersive sound. The Volvo EX90 will also come with phone key technology as standard. Your smartphone serves as your car key and automatically unlocks the car and starts a personal welcoming sequence as you approach. Your personal profile will also be loaded automatically as you enter the car.
In closing
The initially available twin-motor all-wheel drive version is powered by a 111kWh battery and two permanent magnet electric motors together delivering in its performance version 380 kW and 910 Nm. In combination with the brand-new chassis, this creates a great and smooth driving experience. The EX90 is planned for the South African market but we have yet to hear of the expected arrival date.
Volvo has taken massive strides recently and this is just another on the trail to a fully electric future.
Lawrence MinnieLawrence has been involved with motorsports for almost 30 years. Whether it's two wheels or four, if it has an engine, he will try to race it. This love of motor vehicles has led him to ride, drive, film, photograph, and write about his passion. Freelance for a while but now a permanent fixture on the AutoTrader team for over 7 years, Lawrence contributes written, photographic, and video content for AutoTrader and AutoTrader Bikes.View News & Reviews
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