If any car maker would be said to have fully embraced electric mobility it is Volvo. New innovations abound as the technology improves and the Swedish car giant intends to produce a new electric vehicle (EV) every year until 2030. First revealed at the end of 2022, the EX90 is a true seven-seater (the Excellence variant featured in some of our images, has five seats), all-electric SUV that further raises the premium standards in safety and the more sustainable lifestyle approach that we expect from this company. For those who remember the late, lamented Saab brand for example, this is the start of a new era of Swedish motoring.
On The Outside
Typically for Scandinavian automotive design, the Volvo EX90 defines the principle of form following function as can be seen in our images. It’s a versatile, stylish family car that maintains the shape that we generally expect for an SUV with modern proportions, combined throughout with cutting-edge technology including core computing, connectivity and electrification to optimise safety, efficiency and automotive aesthetics.
Volvo Safety
The standard of safety in the Volvo EX90 is also higher than any Volvo car before it, say the company. It’s designed to understand (in motoring industry parlance) you, the driver, and the surroundings to help keep passengers and others in traffic safe. It can also get smarter and safer over time, as it learns from new data and receives updates over the air.
The Volvo EX90 has an invisible shield of safety enabled by the very latest in sensing technology, inside and outside. State-of-the-art sensors such as cameras, radars and Lidar are connected to the car’s high-performance core computers, where ‘NVIDIA DRIVE’ (also found in Polestar cars) runs Volvo’s in-house software to create a real-time, 360-degree view of the world.
The sensors obviously don’t get tired or distracted like we puny humans do. They are designed to respond and react when the driver is just a fraction too late in reacting. Lidar, for example, can sense the road in front of you, whether it’s day or night, also at motorway speeds. It can see small objects hundreds of metres ahead, creating more time to inform, act and avoid. How this will work in the real world remains to be seen, but when it comes to vehicle safety it is fair to say that Volvo are at the top of their game. The sensors also contribute to improve the reliability and overall performance of the assisted driving function ‘Pilot Assist’, with a new steering support while changing lanes.
Inside, this ‘invisible shield of safety’ also looks out for the occupants. Special sensors and cameras, powered by 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. Volvo cars have always been safe but this is a new world.
On The Inside
The latest Volvo tech runs most of the core functions inside the car, from safety and infotainment to battery management. The result is a more responsive and enjoyable experience inside the car for driver and passengers alike, say the company. In other words this isn’t just another new Volvo, it is in fact 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 with the visualisation capabilities the owner gets lightning-fast computing power and high-quality graphics on the in-car screens and head-up display. A 14.5 inch centre screen is the 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 from Google Play, all come built in. The displays in the Volvo EX90 help keep eyes on the road by offering 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, premium Bowers & Wilkins audio system with headrest-integrated speakers for immersive sound.
The Volvo EX90 will also come with phone key technology as standard. Your smartphone serves as the car key and automatically unlocks the car and starts a personal welcoming sequence on approach. All of this technology comes together in a pleasant and elegant car interior. Typically Volvo, the car is full of natural and responsibly sourced materials. That interior composition also reflects the brand’s sustainability ambitions, such as being a fully climate-neutral company by 2040.
On The Road
Delivering up to 373 miles (600km) of tailpipe-emission-free driving range on a single charge, the EX90 charges from 10 to 80 per cent battery capacity in under 30 minutes. The initially available twin-motor all-wheel-drive version is powered by an 111 kWh battery and two permanent magnet electric motors together delivering in its performance version 380kW (517hp) and 910Nm of torque. Expect a two-wheel drive variant in future but it seems to us that all-wheel-drive is the sensible way forward. In combination with the brand-new chassis, this should offer a smooth driving experience where, as ever with Volvo, the emphasis is very much on prestige comfort.
Volvo makes great cars and MHH International have an excellent reputation thanks to their comprehensive service in importing vehicles from the UK to Kenya, New Zealand and elsewhere. Why not source your next Volvo from us?
