Volvo ES90 — The Rest Of The Story – CleanTechnica

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Zachary Shahan, executive editor and grand exalted pooh-bah of CleanTechnica, has just alerted readers to the arrival of the Volvo ES90, a battery electric version of the company’s top of the line sedan, the S90. His writeup covers the design and the basics of the vehicle; here’s a bit more detail as well as a refresher on some of the core components. Both cars are built on the same SPA2 platform. Although, the wheelbase of the ES90 is a tad longer. Even so, it is a few inches shorter overall than its gas powered cousin. It also is more SUV-like with its hatchback configuration. Inside, it has a cargo volume of 17.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 25.9 cubic feet with the rear seat backs folded forward. There is also a frunk with 22 liters of extra storage. Volvo says the ES90 has generous space for front and rear seat passengers, with 4.2 inches of knee clearance and 37.8 inches of headroom.

There are two aspects of the Volvo ES90 that are truly impressive. First, it is the only electric car from Volvo to utilize 800-volt architecture. It will be offered in three variations initially. The single-motor version features a 245 kW (328 hp) electric motor driving the rear wheels powered by a 92.0 kWh (88.0 kWh usable) battery pack. Range in the European WLTP cycle is estimated at 644 km (400 miles). The Twin Motor ES90 adds a second motor for the front wheels and increases the available power to a combined 332 kW (442 hp). It also gets the larger 106 kWh (102 kWh usable) battery pack and an estimated range of 700 km (435 miles). The most exciting variant is the ES90 Twin Motor Performance, which also comes with the larger battery. In that version, the combined power is increased to 500 kW (670 hp). Volvo claims the Performance version can reach 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds, though top speed is limited (like all ES90 trims) to 112 mph. Despite the added power, the range estimate remains at 700 km (435 miles).

“The ES90 represents the latest in terms of electric systems and battery technology,” Volvo said in a  press release. “Our new 800 volt technology makes its debut in the ES90, helping to unlock faster charging, a better overall performance and more efficiency.” At a 350 kW charging station, the ES90 should be able to add 300 km (186 miles) in 10 minutes. With the larger battery fitted to the all wheel drive models, the maximum DC charging capacity is 350 kW. For the slightly smaller battery used in the the rear wheel drive model, 300 kW of power can be accepted. The charging time from 10 to 80 percent SOC should be around 20 minutes in both cases, Motor 1 says.

The Fully Connected ES90

The second type of power for the ES90 concerns computing power. Volvo says the new model is a fully connected, software defined vehicle that uses a dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin configuration that can process over 500 trillion operations per second. According to Volvo Chief Engineer and Technology Officer Anders Bell, it’s the most powerful in terms of core computing capacity of any Volvo. “This allows us to further raise the bar on safety and overall performance through data, software, and AI,” he said.

Most of the interaction drivers and passengers will have with the ES90 will take place via the 14.5 inch center-mounted touchscreen which is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. It runs the latest Google apps, as well as entertainment, climate control, and phone control. As in the EX90, the driver also has a flat nine-inch cockpit display mounted on the steering column that supplies information about the car’s vital systems. A head-up display is also part of the package. Volvo offers an optional 25 speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system and a cabin filter that removes 95 percent of fine particulates (less than 2.5 microns in size) and 99 percent of pollen, both of which affect asthma and allergy sufferers. The panoramic glass roof filters out 99.9 percent of UV light and there is an available electrochromic version that allows the transparency of the glass can be adjusted at the touch of a button.

The center touchscreen handles nearly all of the car’s functionality, including the four-zone climate control and the Bowers & Wilkins stereo, not to mention all the connectivity offered by the built-in Google software. Aside from a few buttons on the steering wheel and switches for the windows, the interior of the ES90 is entirely digital. “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 Volvo 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.”

Is it a sedan or an SUV? Opinions vary. The motoring press is divided on the issue, with Car and Driver saying the ES90 “Keeps the sedan form alive” and The Drive saying the car is proof that SUVs have now taken over at Volvo. For its part, the company is being coy. It says the ES90 “combines the refined elegance of a sedan, the adaptability of a fastback, and the spacious interior and higher ground clearance associated with SUVs. It’s a versatile car that does not compromise on comfort or space, but allows for bigger adventures and families. It strikes the perfect balance between the owner’s professional and private life, and allowing the driver to embrace the special moments in life. Look at the ES90 in profile and what immediately stands out is the car’s confident and distinctive stance, with a slightly raised ride height to provide the driver with a more commanding view of the road. The flowing roofline balances elegant looks with interior space and contributes to excellent aerodynamics, boosting overall efficiency and electric range.”

Order books for the Volvo ES90 are open in select regions throughout Europe. It could be available in the United States eventually, but at this time there is no information available on when it will arrive, which is why no US pricing or EPA range estimates are given. There is also the little matter of tariffs. The ES90 is manufactured at a factory in Chengdu, China, which means it is subject to a 100 percent US tariff — which could ratchet higher at any moment given the chaos currently taking place in the US government. American officials are convinced that every car made in China will transmit a constant stream of sensitive information directly to Chinese Communist Party headquarters. Whether it’s a sedan, an SUV, or a pickup truck, don’t expect to see one of these finely crafted electric cars from Volvo in America any time this decade — if ever.