since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
WHEN it came time to introduce its 90 seven-seater flagship range, Volvo Car Malaysia chose to do it in style. Instead of launching them separately, it scored a first by launching the two 90 flagship SUV (sport utility vehicle) variants at one go. Now, customers could go to a Volvo showroom and decide which option best suit his needs and leanings.
We are talking about the new XC90 and EX90; the former is a mild hybrid with internal combustion engine (ICE) and the latter is a BEV or battery electric vehicle. With 80 per cent of Volvo sales here over the past year being accounted for by the BEV range, Volvo Car is well on its way to achieving full EV sales by 2030.
It also explained the launch slant somewhat towards the EX90 as the XC90 caters to the diminishing few who still prefer ICE motoring. As a mild hybrid, the XC90 already provides a taste of EV motoring but over a much shorter range than the EX90. It is more for urban motoring to keep fuel consumption low and very manageable.
Thus, the lion’s share of development is focused on the EX90 to earn it the status of being the most technologically advanced Volvo car to date. It is said to be designed as a ‘computer on wheels’ as the EX90 could get even better and safer over time with regular over-the-air software updates ‘informed by real-time data collection’.
Volvo says the EX90’s next-generation safety features, user interface and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are powered by Volvo Cars’ Superset tech stack built on a core computing system with NVIDIA DRIVE AI platforms and Volvo Cars’ in-house software.
As safety is second nature to Volvo since the 1950s when it introduced the seatbelt, a new perspective in safety is attributed to the roofline being embedded with the Luminar lidar (light detection and ranging) unit that uses pulsed lasers to measure ranges with high precision and in three-dimensional space. Unlike systems that rely solely on radars and cameras, lidar identifies actual objects and surroundings in real-time to give the EX90 a better understanding of potential hazards.
Volvo notes that a key benefit of lidar over conventional cameras is its ability to work in complete darkness. The EX90’s lidar could detect pedestrians at up to 250 metres or hazards as small and dark as a loose tyre on a black road 120m ahead at highway speeds. Volvo Car’s research indicates that adding lidar to an already safe car could reduce severe accidents by up to 20 per cent and improve overall crash avoidance by up to nine per cent.
Stepping inside the EX90, there is a new Driver Understanding system that uses two cameras, capacitive steering wheel sensors and patented software that recognises real-time gaze patterns and steering behaviour to detect if a driver is distracted, drowsy or otherwise impaired, so the SUV could step in to support if needed.
Perhaps a more relevant and contemporary feature is the new Occupant Sensing feature that addresses among other things, the ‘forgotten baby syndrome’. Volvo says that in the United States, statistics show that since 1998 more than 900 children died after being left unintentionally in hot cars.
Occupant Sensing consists of radars integrated throughout the car and is designed to be sensitive enough to detect the tiniest movements at sub-millimetre scale – such as those of a sleeping toddler. Volvo adds that it’s the first such feature to cover the entire interior of the car, including the trunk. If a family member or pet is detected inside, the car would remain unlocked and alerts would be conveyed via lights, car horn and notifications on the Volvo Cars App.
In styling, the EX90 Ultra Twin carries all the Volvo traits well; it has its own interpretation of the iconic LED (light emitting diode) headlamps and the lack of a front grille, such as that on the new XC90, lends a clean and fuss-free front face. The rear LED lamp design also breaks away from the slim ‘S’ design that has described other Volvo models from this perspective. Its semi-box styling reminds us somewhat of the Ford Ranger’s headlamp design. Its sleek body profile sees a Cd (aerodynamic co-efficient) of 0.29.
Interior features measure up to its premium stature; laminated panoramic sunroof, Pilot Assist with adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera with 3D view and powered tailgate and folding third-row seats. The Ultra trim includes active chassis with upgraded air suspension, first-row seat massage and power side bolsters, power release and soft-close doors, 21-inch eight-spoke Aero wheels, and laminated side and rear windows.
The EX90 is said to have the quietest cabin of any Volvo car to date with its vibration-absorbing chassis, improved sound insulation and double-laminated glass. This allows occupants to enjoy the Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity sound system with 25 speakers, including the front headrests, for ‘immersive Dolby Atmos music’.
The EX90 Ultra Twin comes with Performance all-wheel drive software that unlocks a maximum of 380kW or 517hp of power and 910Nm of torque. It sprints from standstill to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. Power comes from a 111kWh lithium-ion nickel-rich NMC battery with 107kWh of usable capacity that could be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. Its range is up to 623km WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure).
Not surprising, the EX90 carries the highest price of the three flagship models with a recommended selling price without insurance of RM442,888. It comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty for the vehicle and eight years or 160,000km warranty on the EV battery.
XC90
In the transition to a fully electric range, the latest XC90 is probably playing a swan song role. Nevertheless, Volvo Cars continues to develop the model to pander to those who still wish to enjoy ICE motoring. In its newest guise, it was understandable that Volvo says its development was ‘re-imagined for an electric age’.
To continue its ‘timeless appeal’, the new XC90 adds a fresh aura by featuring a new exterior design and user interface to bring it closer to the rest of Volvo Cars’ fully electric models. There is also a redesigned cockpit and larger user central display, upgraded suspension and interior materials, and improved sound insulation for ‘superior comfort’.
The new exterior design is said to represent the first major facelift for the current generation XC90 model. This sees a new front air intake graphic, slimmed-down headlights, sculpted hood and updated front bumper and fenders to provide a ‘contemporary, dynamic upgrade to a timeless and uniquely Scandinavian design’.
Stepping inside, the refreshed interior includes a dashboard with a more horizontal shape than before and incorporates decorative panels made from premium materials for a more textured finish, split by new vertical air vents. Enhanced illumination clearly works its wonders by contributing to a more luxurious feel at night. Practical notes are in the additional cupholder and storage space in the centre console, while the wireless phone charger is now separated from the main storage area for better convenience.
Another major change is the larger, free-standing 11.2-inch central screen that has improved pixel density by 21 per cent for a sharper resolution. This item allows access to Volvo Cars’ next-generation user interface shared with the EX90. The larger screen allows the most common apps and controls, such as maps, media and connectivity to be displayed on the same screen, and the new user interface is said to be intuitive.
The new XC90 also features improved sound insulation with acoustic foam-filled pillars and a new frequency selective damping system for less wind and road noise. This clearly complements the Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system that Volvo Cars says could replicate the acoustics of a stage, jazz club or Gothenburg’s famed concert hall through 19 speakers located throughout the cabin. The audio system is said to feature its proprietary Nautilus and Continuum speaker technologies, and Dirac Unison Tuning.
There are two models available; the T8 plug-in hybrid or B5 mild hybrid. The power units are largely carried over from the previous model with each model featuring a 2.0-litre engine mated to an eight-speed Geartronic transmission powering an all-wheel drive system. The mild hybrid’s engine delivers 183kW (249hp) at 5400 to 5700rpm and 350Nm from 1800 to 4600rpm. The electric motor output is rated at 10kW (14hp) and 40Nm for a combined output of 193kW (263hp) and 390Nm. This gives the XC90 B5 a 0-100km/h sprint performance of 7.7 seconds and an average fuel consumption of 8.1 litres per 100km.
The engine in the XC90 Ultra T8 PHEV has more muscle at 233kW (317hp) at 6000rpm and 400Nm from 3000 to 5400rpm, The electric motor delivers 106kW (145hp) and 309Nm for a combined output of 339kW (462hp) and 790Nm. With the higher punch, the T8 does the 0 to 100km/h in a quicker 5.3 seconds while offering fuel consumption as low as 1.8 litres per 100km.
As a PHEV, the T8 plug-in hybrid has 77 kilometres of fully electric range under the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) testing cycle, great for urban driving with zero tailpipe emissions. Volvo Cars says global data shows that around half of the distance covered by the latest plug-in hybrid Volvo cars is driven on pure electric power.
For longer trips, the hybrid powertrain is said to extend range by more than 800km.
The B5 mild hybrid variant is assisted by a 48v lithium-ion battery and an integrated starter/generator that helps reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent in real-world driving. The B5 powertrain is also upgraded for a more efficient engine combustion cycle with CO2 emission reductions and fuel economy improvements of up to two per cent based on the WLTP cycle.
The new XC90 continues to feature an active chassis with air suspension on all four wheels that provides self-levelling functionality and constant ride height adjustment by monitoring the car, road and driver 500 times per second. The air suspension could lower by 20mm for more aerodynamic efficiency and stability at speed or raise itself by 40mm for off-road driving.
The XC90 range is available at a slightly cheaper price than the EX90; the XC90 B5 mild hybrid carries a recommended selling price without insurance of RM418,888 while the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid is yours for RM434,888. The vehicle warranty is the same as the EX90 (five years unlimited warranty), likewise the PHEV battery warranty that is eight years or 160,000km.
Specification and Price link here
EX90 Price List Brochure MY25 East Mal.pdf
EX90 Price List Brochure MY25 Pen Mal.pdf
XC90 Price List Brochure MY25 East Mal.pdf
XC90 Price List Brochure MY25 Pen Mal.pdf
