The continued growth of the EV market is something that’s been very interesting to see, especially with more and more established brands offering refined takes on EV technology as a whole. With that in mind, Volvo recently introduced its new ES90 model, which the company claims is its most advanced EV to date. The ES90 packs a lot of features, and we’ve prepared this quick rundown of what you can expect from Volvo’s newest EV.
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Sleek Looks
Volvo says that it’s developed the ES90 with a distinguishable look by combining the elegance of a saloon, the versatility of a fastback design, and the spaciousness of an SUV. This includes elements such as a slightly raised ride height, in addition to a refined roofline for better aerodynamics, and distinctive “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, with C-shaped LED lamps on the rear. The ES90 also features a large tailgate hatch with an expandable booth, and a front trunk for charging cables. Customers can further personalize their ES90 with seven exterior colors and four wheel options.
Inside, Volvo has integrated Scandinavian design principles to provide added legroom, customizable ambient lighting, and various upholstery options. There’s also a panoramic roof with optional electrochromic glass that provides a bit of added UV protection and adjustable transparency. The cabin also features a four-zone climate system with an advanced air purifier for enhanced comfort, and a built-in Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos.
Getting Smarter
The ES90 is also equipped with a next-generation infotainment system featuring Google software, a 5G-compatible Snapdragon Cockpit Platform, and a 14.5-inch center screen display with a 360-degree camera. This works in addition to a dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin configuration, which is capable of running 508 trillion operations per second to run AI-driven safety features, sensor management, as well as battery optimization.
Volvo says that the ES90 is built on the SPA2 architecture and the Volvo Cars Superset tech stack, which allows for efficient and rapid deployment of software updates, including new connectivity features, safety enhancements and performance optimizations, all with wireless OTA updates. The Superset tech stack also ensures that all future electric Volvo models benefit from these advancements, so ES90 owners will receive software upgrades developed for the EX90, and vice versa. The ES90 also prioritizes passenger safety via its Safe Space Technology, which integrates an array of sensors, including lidar, radars, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, along with an advanced driver-understanding system.
Go the Distance
The ES90 is also designed with Volvo’s 800V technology, which the company claims enhances the electric driving experience through faster charging, improved performance, and greater overall efficiency compared to traditional 400V systems. This allows the car to add 300 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes at 350kW fast-charging stations, and offers a total driving range of up to 700 kilometers under the WLTP testing cycle. Volvo says that its 800V system is made possible with comprehensive upgrades of every component in the electric system, and is able to deliver more power and range with the same current as a 400V system, albeit with reduced heat and enabling faster charging up to 350kW.
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The ES90’s system also utilizes lighter e-motors and components, reducing the car’s overall weight and improving efficiency, acceleration, and driving range. Additionally, the new in-house-developed battery management software (at least on paper) reduces the 10 to 80 percent charging time by up to 30 percent, bringing it down to just 20 minutes.
