Volvo EX90 is SA bound
Quick Facts:
- Expected in South Africa second quarter of 2025
- Range of up to 600km
- Priced from R651 500
Volvo has commenced deliveries of its fully electric flagship SUV, the Volvo EX90, in key markets such as the United States and Europe. The first batch of vehicles is currently en route to retailers, with initial customers in these regions expected to receive their cars by the end of September 2024. Volvo plans to gradually increase deliveries across additional markets, including South Africa, starting in the fourth quarter of 2024 and extending into the first quarter of 2025.
Volvo Car South Africa anticipates the local launch of the EX90 in early 2025, with the first units arriving for customers by the end of the second quarter of the year.
Setting New Standards in Safety, Sustainability, and Technology:
The EX90 represents Volvo's new flagship model, raising the bar in safety, sustainability, and user-friendly technology. It is designed to enhance daily life by making driving more enjoyable and effortless. During its development, Volvo subjected the EX90 to rigorous testing, including a cross-country road trip across the United States led by Volvo Cars' CEO, Jim Rowan, who described it as "the best car we have ever made."
Rowan's journey spanned 950 kilometers across three states, with the vehicle demonstrating exceptional handling, comfort, quietness, advanced tech features, and reliable performance in a variety of driving conditions. The EX90 marks a significant turning point for Volvo Cars, heralding a new era in its history.
In a recent global media event held southeast of Los Angeles, hundreds of journalists, including from South Africa, had the opportunity to test-drive the EX90, experiencing firsthand its standout features and performance.
A New Era for Volvo: Intelligent Design and Advanced Technology:
The EX90 is a game-changer for Volvo, being the first vehicle powered by an advanced core computing system. It integrates cutting-edge technology, including an in-car AI computer built on the NVIDIA DRIVE® platform, a Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and proprietary software developed by Volvo Cars. These elements work in tandem to control critical functions such as safety, infotainment, and battery management, offering a more responsive and user-friendly experience.
Equipped with an array of sensors, including radar, cameras, and lidar from Luminar, the EX90 enhances safety through continuous data collection and analysis. Its always-on 5G connectivity and over-the-air software updates enable ongoing improvements to the car's functionality, allowing it to evolve and grow over time.
According to Jim Rowan, “The Volvo EX90 embodies our future as a fully electric car maker, with vehicles that continuously improve through core computing and software updates. It underscores our engineering capabilities and solidifies our role as leaders in the technological evolution of the automotive industry.”
A Future-Ready Electric SUV with Exceptional Features:
Built on Volvo’s next-generation electric platform, the EX90 offers a driving range of up to 600 kilometers and integrates the most advanced passive and active safety technologies. As Volvo’s safest car to date, it is the first model to feature lidar and a core computing system. Additionally, it is designed to provide bi-directional charging, allowing customers to contribute to a balanced power grid and support renewable energy use. Notably, it is also the first car in the world to offer an Abbey Road Studios sound mode, paired with the optional Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system.
Production and Future Prospects:
Production of the EX90 began earlier this year at Volvo's manufacturing plant near Charleston, South Carolina, which has been upgraded to produce up to 150,000 cars annually. The facility now boasts state-of-the-art body and paint shops, as well as a new battery pack production line, positioning it well to meet the demands of Volvo’s electric future.
With these upgrades, Volvo's U.S. plant is fully prepared to support the company’s shift to a fully electric lineup, starting with the EX90 and paving the way for future innovation in the automotive industry.
