The new Volvo EX90 is set for the 2024 model year, and it comes with an impressive package of lidar safety technology to make it one of the safest Volvos ever.
The new EX90 will be the next electric vehicle offered by this Swedish automaker. By 2030, all new Volvos will be electric and should include lidar from Luminar Technologies. This new lidar system is part of the new standard equipment offered, giving us the next generation of safety technology. Some believe the movement toward lidar brings us a step closer to more highly-automated and autonomous vehicles, which could be the future of driving.
What is Lidar?
Lidar stands for light detection and ranging systems, and it can sense and help cars avoid obstacles in their path. This system uses light to create high-resolution images that provide a more accurate view of the surroundings than cameras or radar systems can provide. This means using lidar is much more accurate and comprehensive than systems currently in use to detect obstacles and items that vehicles need to avoid while out on the road. This could be the start of something amazing for Volvo and the entire automotive world.
What Does the new EX90 Offer?
The kickoff of Volvo’s line of new EVs begins with the new EX90. This model is the same size as the largest of the Volvo SUVs in the market right now, the XC90. This new electric version offers seven seats across three rows to be the electric flagship of the brand. The price for the new EX90 should begin at just a little under $80,000. United States production of this new electric Volvo SUV will begin next year in South Carolina.
Considering the current lineup of vehicles offered, the new Volvo EX90 brings plenty of range and power for the drive. The expected driving range of this new electric SUV should be nearly 300 miles. The interior is modern and minimalistic as Volvo becomes only the next automaker to try to copy the simple and futuristic design of interiors completely controlled by the touchscreen infotainment system. This means we should expect to see a large central touchscreen in this new electric Volvo SUV. There is a smaller driver information screen behind the steering wheel, so maybe Volvo isn’t giving the EX90 the full Tesla treatment, but it’s close.
Why Choose Lidar to Aid the Safety Systems?
Lidar is futuristic and might have a few hiccups as we start to see it in Volvo vehicles, but it’s also supposed to be extremely accurate and futuristic. The futuristic aspect of this system is that it should be upgradeable using over-the-air updates. The sensors and information run extremely fast and can help the new Volvo EX90 become one of the safest new Volvos to hit the market in a long time. The partnership between Luminar and Volvo should translate to years of excellence and upgraded safety technology. At this time, Volvo expects this system to support the driver-assist technology and not replace the driver.
The Volvo EX90 Uses an All New EV Architecture
When this new Volvo electric flagship arrives, it will use a dual-motor powertrain setup that drives all four wheels. The powertrain is made of two permanent-magnet motors that produce 402 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque for the standard version. There’s also a new Twin Motor Performance model that will have 496 horsepower and 671 lb-ft of torque. This new seven-seater accelerates to 60 mph in only 5.7 seconds, with the Performance version offering a better time.
This new electrified version offers a tighter turning circumference of 38.7 feet, which is about one foot better than the current XC90. This new electric SUV uses a 400-volt architecture, and the battery offers a capacity of 107 kWh to provide 300 miles of driving range. As consistent with most new electric vehicles, the EX90 will charge from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes. This new SUV also comes with Plug and Charge for automated payment at various charging stations.
This Volvo Brings in a Cool Trick
If you drive the new Volvo EX90, you’ll enjoy the benefits of bi-directional charging. This means the SUV can charge your house during a power outage or possibly if you want to sell some of your stored battery power back to the electric grid during peak hours. The necessary home hookup and energy management software will come with the SUV. That said, we haven’t seen the capability to send power back to the grid yet, but it’s coming.
What Does the new EX90 Look Like?
The exterior design of this new SUV is much the same in size and shape as the XC90. Some of the new styling comes from the Concept Recharge model. The EX90 is an electric SUV that handles seven passengers easily and gives you the drive you want. The wheelbase is the same as the XC90, about the overall length of the electric model is about three inches longer. This new electric SUV is about one and a half inches wider than the XC90, which means it’s 77.3 inches wide.
The overall design doesn’t stray from the current Volvo design language. This new electric model rides on 22-inch wheels that have separate wheel-cover inserts to ensure smooth airflow around the wheels. The lidar sensors for this new SUV will be housed in a bump at the forward edge of the roof.
Is There Enough Cargo Room to be Useful for Families?
There are 13 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row of seats in the Volvo EX90. With all seats folded, you’ll find 68 cubic feet of space. If you need a little more cargo room than this, there’s a small frunk under the hood giving you one additional cube of space.
All passengers have adequate legroom in this Volvo SUV. The front seats offer 40.9 inches, the middle row delivers 36.5 inches, and the rearmost row has 31.9 inches of legroom. This means everyone should be relatively comfortable while inside this new electric SUV.
The sounds you’ll hear inside the cabin of the new Volvo EX90 come out of a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. This means everyone in your family can enjoy the impressive safety and advanced technology offered in this new electric Volvo SUV flagship.
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