Volvo’s New EX60 Is Right here and It Would possibly Be the Model’s Most Necessary EV But

Volvo simply unveiled what could possibly be an important mannequin in its rising household of electrical automobiles. At an occasion in Stockholm, the Swedish automaker launched the all-new EX60. Positioned squarely between the compact EX30 and the flagship EX90, that is the automaker’s first entry into the midsize electrical SUV class — now the biggest, most competitive EV segment globally. Happily, it appears like Volvo is placing its finest foot ahead with EX60, which debuts the model’s newest technology SPA3 battery-electric platform, a beneficiant serving to of cruising vary and good dashboard tech powered by Google Gemini AI.

There’s a lot using on this new mannequin. It follows within the footsteps of the gasoline-powered XC60, at present the corporate’s all-time best-selling automobile worldwide. Replicating that success with an electrical equal is not any small activity. Overshadowed by the EX30 and EX90’s troubled launches, it is much more necessary that Volvo get it proper this time to win again buyer belief. Stack that towards a longtime subject of highly desirable competitors and you may see why the EX60 is Volvo’s most necessary electrical launch up to now. This looks like a make-or-break second for the model’s EV ambitions.

All-new EV platform

Beneath its Scandinavian pores and skin, the EX60 is the primary Volvo constructed on the automaker’s new SPA3 devoted battery-electric platform. The brand new platform is sort of actually constructed across the structural battery pack, leading to a automobile that’s lighter, extra tightly built-in and structurally extra inflexible than Volvo’s earlier electrical or combustion architectures. The EX60 can also be the primary Volvo automobile to utilize “megacasting.” This manufacturing strategy reduces complexity by changing “a whole bunch of smaller elements” with bigger, recycled aluminum casts. This implies much less materials waste, time, and price, finally leading to “the bottom carbon footprint for a completely electrical Volvo automobile,” equalling that of the a lot smaller EX30.

From the surface, the EX60 is unmistakably a Volvo with signature design cues just like the Thor’s Hammer daytime working lights and diagonal slash grille adornment. The five-seat SUV’s upright nostril, facet profile and vertical taillights subtly nod to the model’s sporty wagon heritage with a contemporary, aerodynamic twist. Total, it is a clear and really good-looking design.

Look intently and chances are you’ll discover gently sloping roofline, tapered physique sides and slick shark-fin-style door pulls that assist the electrical SUV obtain a slippery 0.26 drag coefficient. For comparability, Volvo’s combustion-powered XC60 has a Cd of round 0.35, whereas the electrical Tesla Mannequin X is round 0.24.

Powered by Google Gemini

Inside, the EX60 continues Volvo’s Scandinavian minimalist strategy, pairing simplicity with expertise and complemented by a big panoramic glass roof that floods the inside with gentle. The dashboard is dominated by a 15-inch curved OLED heart show with Google Constructed-in, which implies Google Maps for navigation, the Google Play Retailer for media apps and, for the primary time in a Volvo, Google Gemini as an AI-powered digital assistant. Powering the expertise is a Qualcomm AI processor, enabling responsive dealing with of voice-controlled duties and deeper integration of Google Gemini instantly into the automobile.

The arrival of Gemini in Volvo’s EV brings a extra conversational and context-aware expertise to the EX60. Drivers can ask Gemini to navigate a resort deal with of their e-mail, test whether or not a specific merchandise or bundle will match within the trunk or generate concepts for an upcoming highway journey. Volvo says future updates will take this Google partnership additional. Within the close to future, Gemini will be capable of use the automobile’s cameras to grasp what the driving force sees and reply questions concerning the world outdoors the automobile. I am advised that this functionality will probably be opt-in for drivers involved about privateness. 

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A 21-speaker Bose premium sound system comes commonplace, whereas an optionally available 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system upgrades to improved audio processing, extra amplifications and higher audio system, together with headrest audio system for all 4 essential seats. The EX60 will even be the primary Volvo to supply Apple Music with Dolby Atmos spatial audio preinstalled within the dashboard. After being extraordinarily impressed by Dolby Atmos and the Abbey Road Studio mode showcased within the bigger EX90, I’ve very excessive expectations for the EX60’s soundstage.

As much as 400 miles of vary

The EX60 will make use of the automaker’s latest technology electrical motors, starting manufacturing in April 2026 with two electrical powertrain configurations. The only-motor P6 spec mates an 83 kWh battery pack with a 275 kW electrical motor to ship an estimated 310 miles of vary when geared up with the usual 20-inch wheels. The twin-motor P10 mannequin steps as much as a 95 kWh battery, 375 kW mixed and an estimated vary of 320 miles. Bigger 21- and 22-inch wheel choices will probably be accessible, with a modest influence on vary. 

Publish-launch, a longer-ranging P12 all-wheel-drive variant will be part of the lineup, concentrating on as much as 400 miles of vary with its 117 kWh battery pack. At 500 kW (670 horsepower) and 583 pound-feet of torque, this P12 spec will even be the quickest model of the EX60, sprinting from 0-60 mph in simply 3.8 seconds. 

Wide array is nice, however quick charging is the metric the place actually nice EVs stand aside. Right here, the EX60 once more appears fairly good. The P6 and P10 fashions ought to be capable of cost from 10 to 80 p.c in as little as 18 minutes at an acceptable 400 kW station, whereas the longer-range P12 takes round 19 minutes to fill its bigger battery. For fast roadside stops, drivers can count on so as to add round 173 miles of vary with only a 10 minute session beneath supreme situations.

In North America, the EX60 will even be the primary Volvo to function a local North American Charging Standard (NACS) port that provides house owners direct entry to greater than 25,000 Tesla Superchargers throughout the U.S. and Canada with out the necessity for an adapter. (Although, I might nonetheless advocate choosing up a CCS1 adapter to maximise compatibility with the ten,000 legacy DC quick charging stations throughout America.) 

Volvo security tech

Security is a central a part of Volvo’s identification, and the EX60 introduces new expertise alongside acquainted strengths. One of the vital intriguing security improvements is the brand new multi-adaptive security belt. Utilizing real-time knowledge from each inside and exterior sensors, the system adjusts belt load primarily based on crash severity and particular person occupant profiles, together with top, weight, physique form and seating place. In a critical collision, a bigger occupant might obtain the next belt load to cut back the chance of head damage, whereas a smaller occupant in a milder crash might obtain a decrease load to assist reduce rib accidents.

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