New Volvo ES90 is a Luxurious Swedish Powerhouse.
New Volvo ES90 is a Luxurious Swedish Powerhouse.
The new Volvo ES90 is a fully-electric 5-door executive fastback replacement for the traditional S90 saloon, and with a drag coefficient of just 0.25Cd, it is Volvo’s most aerodynamic production car ever. Measuring 5-metres long, 1.94-metres wide, and 1.55-metres high, the ES90 has a commanding road presence, while its 3.10-metre wheelbase provides everyone onboard with limousine-like levels of comfort. According to Volvo, the new ES90 is “in a class of its own, combining the refined elegance of a saloon, the adaptability of a fastback, and the spacious interior and higher ground clearance of an SUV”, and it certainly is all of that, and more.
Single or Twin Motor Options.
Two battery sizes are available – 92 kWh (88 kWh usable) and 106 kWh (102 kWh usable), with maximum charging capacities of 300 kW and 350 kW respectively. The smaller battery is only available on the rear-wheel drive single-motor version of the ES90, with the electric motor producing an impressive 333 hp and 480 Nm of torque. This results in a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.6 seconds, on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 180 km/h. There are two dual-motor models available – the Twin Motor and Twin Motor Performance – both of which use the larger battery pack. The Twin Motor version produces a healthy 456 hp and 670 Nm of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds, while the Twin Motor Performance model increases power and torque figures to a massive 680 hp and 870 Nm respectively, with the sprint time reduced to an eye-watering 4.0 seconds. An official WLTP range of up to 696 km is quoted for the Single Motor Extended Range model, and up to 678 km for the Twin Motor & Twin Motor Performance models. All versions of the ES90 come with a one-pedal drive system, so you can speed up or slow down just by using the accelerator pedal, and it will also bring itself to a complete stop without the need to use the brake pedal at all. Additionally, during times of deceleration, the kinetic energy usually lost during braking is sent back to the battery to enhance the electric range.
Proven Underpinnings.
The ES90 is built on Volvo’s advanced SPA2 platform, which is already used by the EX90 7-seat SUV, and its close relative, the Polestar 3. Essentially, it’s a software-driven dedicated electric vehicle platform which builds on the technologies offered by the first-generation Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform that underpins the still-current XC60 Series and XC90 Series ranges in Volvo’s lineup. It features a big battery pack sourced from CATL, and it offers a lot of sensors and assistance systems in line with Volvo’s safety-first ethos, as well as the brand’s latest 5G-connected infotainment with Nvidia computing power, and this will pave the way to a safer solution for fully autonomous driving.
Lounge-Like Cabin.
Volvo is well-known for its bright, airy lounge-like cabins, and the interior designers have kept the ES90’s interior pretty much in line with that found in the EX90, XC90 and XC60 SUVs rather than introducing potential customers to a completely different layout. The chunky upper dash and door trims have a familiar look and feel, as do the dashboard and the luxurious armchair-like seats. Overall build quality throughout the spacious cabin is terrific, and tactility is good too. In a similar fashion to the EX90 SUV the new ES90 features a pared-back approach to physical buttons and switches. Adjustment for the side mirrors and steering wheel requires you to access the necessary function through the touchscreen and then use steering wheel buttons to select your preferred settings. In front of the driver is a slim 9.0-inch digital instrument binnacle that offers a simplistic readout of key info, and has a couple of different views, including a Google Maps view. The front seats are typical Volvo in that they’re supremely shapely, utterly luxurious and superbly supportive, Electric seat adjustment and heating are standard, with ventilation and massage functionality available as an option or standard, depending on the trim grade chosen. Move across the leather-lined and sustainably sourced wood dash and there’s a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system front and centre, running the brand’s Google Built-in software interface and connected services. It offers native apps like Google Maps, and Google Assistant as well as access to the Google Play store. Additionally, it gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The display itself offers good clarity and resolution, with snappy responses to touch inputs as well as the smooth loading of animations.
Test Car Details.
My ES90 Single Motor Extended Range Ultra test car was finished in gorgeous Denim Blue metallic paint (which is inspired by Scandinavian fashion), with optional 22-inch diamond-cut, bi-tone alloy wheels. The list of standard features in Ultra trim is simply amazing, and it is safe to say that Volvo has literally crammed the car to the max with a comprehensive suite of comfort, convenience, safety, infotainment and tech features befitting of the premium Swedish brand. The ES90 is all about spaciousness too, with a cabin that can comfortably accommodate five adult occupants, and a cargo area that can range between 446-litres in 5-seat mode, and 1,427-litres with the rear seats folded down. The commanding driving position provides a good view of the road around you, and there are numerous cameras and safety systems to safely guide you in and out of parking spaces. The ES90 really excels out on the open road, and there is no shortage of instant power available to get you up to speed on a slip road, or to effortlessly overtake slower-moving traffic. The driving experience strikes a perfect balance between sporting engagement and everyday usability, and the powertrain delivers smooth, linear acceleration from the off. The rear-wheel drive configuration adds an element of dynamic prowess, allowing drivers to subtly adjust their line through sharp bends with careful throttle variation, and the impressive steering setup also helps in this regard. The superb suspension set-up leads to a magic-carpet ride quality, and wind and road noise levels are kept to an absolute minimum at higher speeds. Pilot Assist comes as standard, and it includes adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, and it can nudge the steering in order to keep you centred in your lane. With a maximum charging rate of 350kW, it is possible to achieve a 10-80% charge in as little as 22 minutes (charger dependent), with a 10-100% charge at a 7kW home charger taking around 11 hours – ideal for an overnight charge.
Verdict & Price.
With its sumptuous, near-silent cabin, striking Scandinavian exterior design, and cutting-edge driver-assistance features, the new ES90 proves that Volvo knows how to build a formidable fastback for the modern era. It is a luxurious, family-friendly car which offers buyers a compelling alternative to a premium SUV, and it is surprisingly good to drive for a vehicle of its size and weight. The ES90 is priced from €79,995 (ex-delivery), with my test car specification priced from €100,295 (ex-delivery).
Visit www.volvocars.com for further information.
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