- Volvo EX60 nears UK leasing launch
- 'game-changing' electric SUV with 503-mile range
- Could change the way you think about electric vehicles
- Addresses three main concerns about EVs
- Prices start from £56,860
Rarely have we heard the words “game-changing” used so often when unveiling a new car.
But the Volvo EX60 really is something quite special and with a driving range of up to 503 miles, it could well be worthy of that accolade.
Introducing the all-new EX60 in Stockholm, Håkan Samuelsson, CEO and President, Volvo Cars explained there are three issues that concern would-be EV buyers.
He said: “There are mainly three reasons – you know them. The range is too short, charging times are too long and the prices of the cars are simply too high for our consumers. The EX60’s response to that are three game-changing messages. The range will be similar to the petrol car. Charging stops will be more or less as long as a fuel stop and the EX60 will be priced like our best-selling XC60 plug-in hybrid.”
The car has been designed, developed and will be built in Gothenburg, so remains totally committed to Volvo’s Swedish heritage, and it features a new scalable SPA3 platform that can be used in the development of future city cars right up to large people movers.
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What’s so special about the driving range and pricing?
The entry-level model is the EX60 P6, a rear-wheel drive version featuring a single electric motor. This car is powered by an 83kWh battery delivering 374hp and 480Nm of torque - it can complete the 0-62mph dash in 5.9 seconds, has a driving range between charges of 385 miles and is priced from £56,860.
Next up is the P10 featuring a larger 95kWh battery and boasting electric motors on each axle for all-wheel drive. Costing from £59,860 and with 510hp and 710Nm, this model slices 1.3 seconds off the 0-62mph time and sees the driving range increase to 410 miles.
Finally, at the top of the ladder is the most powerful P12 model with its 117kWh battery unit producing 680hp and 790Nm. The 0-62mph dash is completed in a blisteringly quick 3.9 seconds and the range on a single charge is a class-leading 503 miles. This is the most expensive of the SUV line-up from £64,860.
All models have a top speed of 112mph.
Additionally, customers will be able to choose from the now-familiar Volvo trim line-up called Plus and Ultra, with entry-level Core models being introduced a little later on.
Volvo will also be launching a more rugged Cross Country version (below) featuring robust styling and a 20mm higher ride height. This can be increased by a further 20mm via the adaptive air suspension, making it ideal for combatting rougher terrain. Then, it can be standardised for more efficient and comfortable motorway driving. Prices for this car, which will only be offered in P10 all-wheel drive format, are yet to be announced.
Volvo EX60: Design and technology
The EX60 is available in standard SUV guise or in more rugged Cross Country styling, both of which look truly appealing with distinctive Thor Hammer headlights at the front, complemented by signature vertical lighting at the rear. There is a sloping roofline, active grille shutters, illuminated door handles with gentle haptic response and trademark Volvo badging. It’s slightly wider than the XC60 and also has a longer wheelbase which contributes to the spacious interior.
The EX60 is the first car Volvo has produced using mega casting. This involves hundreds of smaller parts being replaced with a single, high precision casting in the production process. The result is a reduction in weight without any other compromises and, in turn, this increases efficiency and range.
The other clever design aspect is the battery structure with the cells integrated into the car’s floor. This lowers the weight, increases the range and also improves comfort levels and creates extra cabin space.
Moving inside the EX60, expect to find fine ash wood trim, high-end wool blend upholstery and an optional electrochromic panoramic roof that allows you to adjust the transparency levels. It’s very elegant and upmarket and is the first Volvo to launch with Gemini, the new AI system from Google that allows you to have a personalised and natural conversation with the car and features real-time context. This may sound a little too much, but is ideal if you are looking for parking or restaurant recommendations in an unfamiliar area, or simply want to plan ahead with weather forecasts.
Creature comforts are plentiful with an optional 28-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system featuring headrest speakers in the four main seats. There is a large touchscreen that’s super-quick and driver-focused, with a smaller information screen behind the new-look two-spoke steering wheel. Volvo has taken huge strides with the development of this set-up, but it’s not so radical to scare away the Volvo faithful.
Anders Bell, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Volvo Cars, said: “This is our game-changer. It’s the most technically advanced car we have ever built and one that marks the end of range anxiety. When we set out to build the smartest Volvo ever and establish a new benchmark for automotive safety, we started out with customers in mind. We wanted to push the envelope on technology to anticipate our customer’s needs and make their lives easier, better and more enjoyable.
“If you’re looking for a mid-size SUV and want to go far, this is simply the best choice on the market.
“It has been designed from the ground up to be electric and the technology updates constantly via over-the-air updates.
“As our tech gets more advanced, life in your EX60 gets easier, safer and more enjoyable. Today, this is the best car we have ever made, tomorrow it will be even better.”
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What about the Volvo EX60's charging – is that fast enough?
It’s all well and good having a car with outstanding range potential, but it needs to be compatible with rapid charging too. And with a new 800-volt electrical system and software that has been developed in-house, the EX60’s battery can be boosted by up to 211 miles in just 10 minutes of charging.
Is Volvo back to its very best when it comes to safety tech?
The EX60 utilises the vehicle’s new HuginCore computing technology that empowers the car to think, process and act. And that clever processing software helps take the SUV to new levels of safety as it constantly reads and assesses the world around it via a wide array of sensors. Because the EX60 is capable of more than 250 trillion operations per second, it doesn’t simply process the information but learns from every mile travelled. It also draws on experiences from other Volvo cars globally, including any accidents and near-misses to constantly keep improving.
Another world first for Volvo is the multi-adaptive safety belts. These adapt to the size, body shape and positions of people within the car. It can even tell the speed and angle of an accident and adjust the tension of the belt accordingly.
Is the Volvo EX60 practical enough for an active family?
Any family SUV needs to cover practicality needs and the EX60 does that with a truly spacious cabin, and plenty of storage room thanks to a generously-sized boot, along with a frunk beneath the bonnet.
The completely flat floor and clever battery packaging result in ample rear passenger space and comfort levels will be high even on lengthier journeys.
As Erik Severinson, Chief Commercial Officer, Volvo Cars, concluded: “This car demonstrates that you don’t need to change your life just because you’re buying an electric car. We are past the era where choosing an EV was also making a compromise.
“The EX60 is simply a better product than any other ICE car on the market in every single way.
“Next year, we celebrate our 100th anniversary and for nearly a century we have built cars that could fill our company purpose – cars rooted in our proud Swedish heritage, a long-standing focus on safety and sustainability, and powered by cutting-edge technology that makes our customer’s lives easier, safer, better and more enjoyable.
“With the EX60, we are doing all of that, but this is more than just a car. This is a new beginning. You’ve heard how this fantastic car will improve people’s lives, how it sets new standards in terms of electric range, safety technology beyond what has been possible before. It’s about redefining what it means to have a car. Because going electric is no longer a compromise – to Volvo, the EX60 is a game-changer.”
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