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Volvo: Safety Beyond the Star Ratings
With the Volvo EX90 reveal, the Swedish automaker announces its plan to be an all-electric vehicle manufacturer by 2030 and carbon-neutral by 2040.
The New Flagship Volvo Is an Electric SUV
Ushering in a new era, the recent Volvo EX90 reveal was a distinctly Scandinavian take on our electrified automotive future. Led by Jim Rowan, president and CEO of Volvo Cars, the live presentation showcased the new EX90 and how it will take the company forward with a focus on safety, sustainability, and technology. The 2024 Volvo EX90 is available for pre-order at www.volvocars.com/us.
The Swedish automaker is widely regarded for its focus on safety, and the Volvo EX90 reveal reinforced that with the use of a cutting-edge Luminar lidar system. Integrated into the leading edge of the roofline, it will enable the EX90 to “see” up to 250 meters out front, day or night. In combination with 16 ultrasonic sensors, five radar systems, and a host of cameras, this invisible safety shield will give drivers up to 9 seconds of reaction time at about 60 mph. The lidar system will be standard equipment, along with a wide range of innovative safety features like those we cover here.
The EX90 Takes Ques from the Volvo XC90
On the design front, the new EX90 is clearly an electric take on Volvo’s current XC90 flagship SUV, featuring super smooth styling intended to ease airflow and improve range. Up front, the lack of air inlets lends the EX90 a decidedly Iron Man countenance. However, those LED headlights are known as Thor’s Hammer in Volvo design-speak. Regardless of which Avenger you want to name your EX90 after, that front lighting comes with a slick new trick. The low beams physically open up and move out of the way to reveal nighttime bulbs. It’s quite a show that Volvo rightfully describes as human-like.
A New EV Platform for Volvo
The EX90 is riding an all-new EV platform that will be used to drive Volvo towards its goal of being an all-electric automaker by 2030, and carbon-neutral by 2040. Combining in-house design with components from the likes of Nvidia and Qualcomm, the EX90 will come with a 111-kWh battery pack and ability to charge at 250 kW. This is said to enable about 110 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging, with 30 minutes needed to fill the battery from 10 to 80% capacity. Maximum range is estimated by Volvo to be some 370 miles with propulsion coming from a pair of permanent magnet motors, though specifications have not yet been released.
All new EX90s will come fitted with bi-directional charging capability. Along with allowing the car to function as an additional energy source, the baked-in technology will be able to detect when electricity is cheaper to tap. This helps reduce the burden on an owner’s wallet and on the grid itself, as the EX90 can charge at off-peak times.
A Sustainable Focused Interior Design
On the sustainability front, the Volvo EX90 will have a leather-free 7-passenger cabin that utilizes 105 pounds of recycled plastics and bio-based material. Wool blends and a new Nordico fabric made from recycled PET bottles will combine with illuminated natural wood and jeweled surfaces to create a “Scandinavian living room atmosphere.” It all looks to be in line with Volvo’s reputation for uniquely elegant interior design as we note in this Best Interiors of 2021 writeup.
An Impressive Infotainment System
Infotainment is top of mind for all modern vehicles and the EX90 looks poised to impress with a 15-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen that integrates wireless Apple and Android device mirroring and Google Assistant. The gauge cluster is fully digital and is just one part of what Volvo calls their Driver Understanding System that blends an array of internal sensors to keep a virtual eye on the driver. Use of simplified graphics on the cabin screens and contextual updates will lend a hand in ensuring drivers remain focused on driving.
A Volvo EV SUV with a Focus on the Future
Seemingly every day, there is breaking news on how automakers around the globe are performing hard pivots away from internal combustion and toward all-electric propulsion. General Motors is aiming for 2035 as their 100% EV date as we look at here, while their Cadillac luxury brand previews what they will bring to the table in the form of the Lyriq.
Even Dodge, unabashed purveyor of smoky burnouts and gas-guzzling muscle cars, has announced their EV intentions. It’s no surprise to see similar news with the Volvo EX90 reveal. After all, the Swedish automaker is seemingly tailor-made for this transition to a carbon-free future given a nearly 100-year history of focusing on sustainability.
