All-new Volvo ES90 revealed with up to 680hp
Hold that BMW i4 or Porsche Taycan - there's a new Volvo saloon in town
A hundred PH points to those who can name all the current electric Volvos, because we couldn’t. They are the EX90, EM90, EX40, EC40 and EX30 - so consider yourself up to speed. They are four SUVs of some stripe and an MPV, so that might have been why they’ve passed you by. The sixth electric Volvo looks set to make much more of an impact, however, because it’s a handsome sort-of saloon: say hello to the ES90.
As is the way with a lot of new stuff, Volvo isn’t keen to pigeonhole the ES90 as merely one thing or another (or something as terribly traditional as a family four-door). Officially this ‘combines the refined elegance of a saloon, the adaptability of a fastback, and the spacious interior and higher ground clearance associated with SUVs’, but certainly appears to lean into the first of those most heavily, which sounds like good news to us. Looks it, too: the new model being confident, handsome and well-proportioned in a way that something higher up or even larger might struggle to carry off. The Volvo cues are plain for all to see, including the Thor’s Hammer headlights and rear tower of lamps into the glass that sort of evoke the 850, for a very clear identity. Bravo, Volvo. Wheels will range from 20-22-inch for the ES90, for some idea of overall size - we’d bank on these being the big 'uns.
The inside will be familiar to anyone with experience of electric Volvos, with a wide and thin driver’s display complemented by a giant (14.5-inch) central tablet. Software is the big talking point yet again, hopefully now with fewer glitches than with cars like the EX30; the ES gets the Superset tech stack introduced with the EX90, which should mean easy over-the-air updates as software improves with time. But over the SUV this is the first Volvo to be powered by something called a ‘dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin configuration’, so the processing power should be off the chain, for whatever computing requirements folk have in their cars these days. Safe to say with 5G and the Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, ES90 drivers won’t want for entertainment, information or mapping options.
Even more notable (and interesting) is the fact that the ES90 is the first Volvo to boast 800-volt charging thanks to an evolution of the SPA2 architecture. That means 350kW charging, for a best case top-up time of 186 miles in ten minutes. Volvo suggests a driving range of up to 435 miles on WLTP, aided by a drag coefficient of 0.25Cd. Weight is 2,003kg to 2,132kg, depending on spec.
Indeed decent distance in an ES90 should be an extremely peaceful experience, Volvo is promising one of its quietest ever cabins, a ‘smooth and serene ride’, and six ambient light colours for sensory wellbeing. Plus an absolutely monster stereo (of course) to disturb the peace when required: the highest rung of Bowers & Wilkins available boasts 25 speakers. If that doesn’t impress those you’re sharing an ES90 with, they should enjoy plenty of space thanks to a 3.1m wheelbase.
The boot suffers a tad for that - 424 litres seats up, then 733 with them down is nothing special - but again something larger might not have looked so taut. There are 22 litres in the front to store cables. Those onboard also get four-zone climate control, a pano roof (with the option of an electrochromic upgrade) and an advanced air purifier to keep the gunk of outside away from the inside of the Volvo.
Orders are open now for the ES90 in the UK. Prices start at £73,250 for a single motor, 92kWh, rear-drive extended range Plus model, which will get to 62mph in less than seven seconds thanks to 333hp and just tip over 400 miles. There’s an Ultra version of that powertrain also, at £79,050, which is also the spec needed to unlock the dual motor setup. That boosts range to 435 miles (efficiency is rated at 3.64mi/kWh) from a 106kWh battery, with 5.5 seconds to 62mph claimed thanks to 449hp - it costs from £83,250. And if that’s not enough, a Performance cranks the two motors to 680hp. Range and efficiency are unaffected, but it’ll get to 62mph in four seconds - for £87,850. The Porshce Taycan range kicks off from £86,500…
“The Volvo ES90 combines our most advanced technologies with Scandinavian design and superior comfort, creating a true premium Volvo car designed to elevate your quality of life,” said CEO Jim Rowan. “It joins the EX90 SUV as one of our flagship models and cements our position as an industry leader in software-defined cars that harness the power of core computing.” First drive verdict coming as soon as we can get one.
Although I understand it’s made in China, which is going to be a serious problem for some major markets, particularly the US. Unless they’ll also build them in their new US plant.
king iPadsThe power is a result of the size of the battery, nothing more, nothing less.
Having said that, they could restrict the use of that power and potentially increase range, but why bother when any driver can do that anyway if they want to improve range, just don't be so heavy with the right foot!
My initial impressions are its about a foot too tall, and not sure why there is so much black band/frit around the side and rear windows?!
Despite those quibbles it still looks great and is an elegant design.
These tricks are very tired at this point. People are wise to them.
These tricks are very tired at this point. People are wise to them.
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