Volvo EX90
Chassis performance has changed dramatically
Volvo has announced that it will withdraw its goal of becoming a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030. While it is considering a full electrification in the future, it appears that it will keep some of its vehicles as plug-in hybrids.
With the advent of the EV era, Volvo’s chassis technology has made great strides. Until around 2000, Volvos that used three-digit numbers in their model names had very soft suspension, which was satisfactory as long as you didn’t expect agile handling. However, around 2010, when Volvos began to seek a “sportier” feel, they began to lose their way with suspension settings, and this problem became apparent when they adopted the new generation platform known as SPA/CMA.
In other words, the initial movement of the suspension stroke felt stiff, and there was a tendency for small vibrations to linger when a strong impact was applied to the suspension. These symptoms gradually subsided, and Thomas Ingenlath’s design was so attractive, and the car was reasonably priced despite its extensive safety features, so Volvo’s sales increased dramatically during this period. However, in terms of the overall evaluation of the chassis, I felt that it did not come close to the big three German premium cars.
However, when I test drove the EX30, the first car built on a platform specifically designed for EVs, my view of Volvo’s chassis changed completely. The stiff feeling of the suspension I mentioned earlier disappeared, and even the slightest vibrations were barely noticeable. There was still room for improvement in road grip during hard cornering, but with this level of perfection, it seemed like it could compete head-on with the big three German premium cars.
This impression was further strengthened after test driving Volvo’s latest EV, the EX90, around Los Angeles.
Agile steering despite being over 2.5t heavy
Volvo’s flagship model, the EX90, which is promoting the shift to EVs, is over 5m long and is equipped with a 111kWh battery. The high-performance Twin Motor Performance version is equipped with two motors, one at the front and one at the back, producing a maximum output of 517PS and a maximum torque of 910Nm, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. However, the top speed is limited to 180km/h, due to Volvo’s typical consideration for safety.
As a luxury car priced at over 18 million yen (tax included) in the UK, the ride is smooth and comfortable. The aforementioned slight vibrations were largely eliminated, although there were some individual differences. Incidentally, the EX90’s platform is an evolved version of the SPA, called the SPA2, but according to a Volvo representative who attended the test drive, as a result of major improvements made to the EV, there are not many parts in common with the conventional SPA.
However, what really surprised me about the EX90 was the excellent steering response, with almost no delay even when cornering, despite the fact that its heavy body weighing over 2.5 tons is supported by a flexible suspension. Of course, it doesn’t react excessively like some sports cars, but the way the nose smoothly cuts into the corner even when turning quickly was an exhilarating and natural response that was hard to imagine given the soft ride.
The secret lies in dual-clutch torque vectoring combined with a rear motor.
A high-quality cabin made with sustainable materials
Two types of seats are available: two-row and three-row. The interior is made with many sustainable materials, in keeping with Volvo’s environmentally conscious approach. It is equipped with a 14.5-inch vertical center screen. The OS is managed by Google, and it allows hands-free assistance via the Google Assistant and the use of all Google apps, including navigation.
This system uses two sets of clutches instead of a differential gear to control the driving force transmitted to the left and right rear wheels, and by distributing more driving force to the outside of the corner, it achieves smooth cornering. However, since the driving force control is only interrupted by the clutch and no speed increase is performed, the impression of sharp cornering is weak, but because of this, it responds in a way that matches the driver’s natural sense.
The exterior design, like the EX30, exudes a futuristic feel with the use of a strobe pattern and a blocked front grille (which actually has an openable air intake under the bumper), but it feels more understated and calm than the EX30. On the other hand, the interior design is an extension of the previous model and is extremely attractive. What was also impressive was the high-quality cabin that has been created using sustainable materials.
Volvo has just recently announced a reassessment of its EV strategy, but they are doing what they need to do honestly. You can feel that high aspiration in abundance in the EX90.
REPORT / Tatsuya OTANI
PHOTO / Volvo Cars
MAGAZINE / GENROQ November 2024 issue
SPECIFICATIONS
Volvo EX90 Twin Motor Performance
Body size: Total length 5037, total width 1964, total height 1744 mm
Wheelbase: 2899 mm
Motor
system maximum output: 380 kW (517 PS) / 4200-6000 rpm
System maximum torque: 910 Nm (92.8 kgm)
Drive system: AWD
EV cruising range (WLTP): 570-614 km
Suspension type: Front double wishbone, rear multi-link
Brakes: Front and rear ventilated discs
0-100 km / h acceleration: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 180 km / h
[Inquiries]
Volvo Customer Service
TEL 0120-922-662
https://www.volvocars.com
