Volvo EX90 revealed and confirmed for Oz in late 2024

Volvo has proudly torn the covers off the 2023 Volvo EX90 large electric SUV – a bespoke zero-emissions flagship capable of covering up to 600km between charges and incorporating 48kg of recycled plastic and bio-based materials.

That impressive range is provided by a big 111kWh lithium-ion battery situated between the axles (under the floor) and extensive wind tunnel testing that has yielded an expectedly slippery body largely free of lumps, bumps and grilles, with a drag co-efficient of 0.29Cd.

The extensive array of unofficial renders, design patents and official teasers we’ve already seen hasn’t left much to be discovered around the body, with even the alloy wheel design being familiar.

Underneath, however, the large-capacity battery supplies power to a dual-motor drivetrain developing a combined 300kW of power and 910Nm of torque. Other powertrain configurations – ie: single motor – and battery sizes will undoubtedly come to market later.

Speaking of markets, Volvo Car Australia says it’s targeting a late-2024 market introduction for the new EX90, which means the Scandinavian brand’s new flagship is still two years away from local showrooms.

The Volvo EX90 has long been touted as the electric successor for the long-running Volvo XC90, even though the two models have no mechanical commonalities, and it could well replace Volvo’s biggest SUV in Australia.

As part of its recent promise to go all-electric by 2026, Volvo Car Australia says it may not import the facelifted version of the XC90 that’s due to appear within a year or so.

Volvo engineers say that despite its immense capacity, the EX90’s battery can be charged from 10 to80 per cent in less than half an hour when using a DC fast-charger, however, an official maximum charging power is yet to be nominated.

Bi-directional charging and vehicle-to-load functionality are also part of the package.

Step inside the cabin and occupants will be greeted by a clean, elegant and eco-friendly interior ruled by an expansive 14.5-inch infotainment interface and a slimline digital cockpit supported by a large head-up display.

The rest of the dash, as we’ve seen previously, is resolutely featureless save for the contrasting materials and integrated air-vents; the vast majority of vehicle functions are housed within the Google-based 5G-compatible infotainment system.

Google Assistant helps keep eyes on the road at all times while accessing key functions, and if for whatever reason drivers do become distracted or have a brush with danger, an on-board suite of sensors, cameras and lidar is on hand to mitigate.

Powered by NVIDIA DRIVE, the safety suite includes a virtual 360-degree ‘view’ of the car and its surroundings at all times and actively monitors the immediate environment and road for hazards and other risks.

Evasive action can be taken where needed and if the driver becomes incapacitated for whatever reason, the safety systems will pull the EX90 over and alert emergency services.

Eventually the EX90 will become the first fully-autonomous Volvo product, with all of the necessary hardware already fitted in anticipation for the approval of relevant legislations.

When the time comes, full autonomous driving functionality can and will be unlocked via a vehicle software update.

“The Volvo EX90 is a statement for where we are, and where we are going,” said Volvo CEO Jim Rowan.

“It’s fully electric with a range of up to 600km on a single charge, designed to further raise our safety standards, the first Volvo car to be truly defined by its software and part of a wider ecosystem, connecting to your home and your other devices.

“The Volvo EX90 is the start of something new for Volvo Cars in many ways.”

Global standard equipment highlights will include wireless Apple CarPlay, recycled cabin materials and upholsteries, phone key technology and a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

More vehicle details including performance and specification levels will be confirmed in the lead-up to the EX90’s global release next year, before production commences in the US in early 2023 and in China soon after that.

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