The hybrid XC90 (left) has got a facelift for its new iteration, and the all-electric EX90 is fully software driven (All photos: Volvo Malaysia)
A car is a luxury many take for granted, though anyone behind the wheel of a Volvo will quickly disagree. From humble beginnings as a manufacturer of iron ball bearings, the marque has evolved into a maker of coveted drives with people at heart. This April, Volvo unveils its flagship SUVs, the all-new, fully electric EX90 and the reimagined hybrid XC90, setting a new benchmark for automotive safety and sleek styling.
Accelerating onwards
The Volvo EX90 has been dubbed the SUV of many firsts: it incorporates lidar (light detection and ranging) technology, is fully software driven and has built in hardware in anticipation of fully autonomous driving down the line.
The EX90 Ultra Twin for Malaysia comes with performance all-wheel drive software, maxing out at 380kW or 517hp of power and 910 Nm of torque. The car goes from standstill to 100kph in an impressive 4.9 seconds, powered by a 111 kWh lithium-ion battery that charges from 10% to 80% in half an hour, enabling a range of up to 623km.
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Tech-enabled safety
This all-electric machine is designed to be Volvo’s safest car ever, boasting Safe Space Technology. By creating a real-time understanding of its surroundings, the technology effectively co-pilots by encompassing automatic braking, steering, lane-keeping aids and alerts.
Whether on sunny days or moonless nights, the Luminar lidar unit functions to reduce the chances of accidents, using pulsed lasers to measure obstacles with precision, even beyond the range of normal human vision.
This innovation makes its debut on a production Volvo car and shares the spotlight with the Driver Understanding technology, which utilises cameras and capacitive steering wheel sensors that recognise the driver’s level of attention to the road.
If the driver is impaired in any way, or even falls unconscious, the Volvo EX90 will play soft audio and visual alerts, which gradually increase to louder and more persistent notifications, preparing to steer or slow the car down safely in traffic.
Consisting of radar integrated throughout the interior of the car, including the trunk, the new Occupant Sensing system is accurate and sensitive enough to detect the tiniest of movements to prevent “forgotten baby syndrome”.
Each time the driver tries to lock the car, the interior radar system is activated and determines whether the car is empty of any people or pets. The car remains unlocked and the climate system kicks in to lower heatstroke risks if anyone is left inside, with alerts sent through lights, the car horn and the Volvo Car app.
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Snug and sustainable
Inspired by the clean, calm interiors of a Scandinavian living room, the EX90 features natural, recycled and renewable materials that encompass sustainability and luxury in one package.
Inside, Nordico upholstery, which comes in shades of Charcoal or Cardamon, is paired with natural birch wood decor. The theatre-style, orthopaedic-designed seats guarantee a relaxing experience, and an in-built massage function in the first row soothes weary muscles.
A convertible child booster seat can be found in the second row, while side seats in the first two rows are ventilated for additional comfort.
Maintaining Volvo’s human-centric design, the EX90 is designed to have the quietest cabin of any of its cars to date. Improved sound insulation, a vibration-absorbing chassis and double laminated glass let occupants fully appreciate the Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity sound system, which places 25 speakers throughout the cabin and front headrests for crystal clear hands-free calls and immersive music.
Last but not least, the SunLike interior lighting mimics natural lighting, reducing eyestrain and headaches.
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Hybrid marvel
Stemming from a proud lineage hailing from Volvo Cars’ very first SUV, the XC90 has earned a reputation for being a practical and safe pick. Over time, it has become a perennial favourite of many and the newest model is now available in Malaysia, featuring a broad suite of updates inside and out.
The award-winning seven-seater hybrid vehicle is even better than before. Under the hood, the XC90 sports two powertrain options — the T8 plug-in hybrid and the B5 mild hybrid.
Each comes with a 2.0 litre engine combined with an eight-speed Geartronic transmission powering all-wheel drive. The Ultra T8 boasts an electric motor with a maximum combined power of 462hp and 709Nm of torque, consuming as low as 1.8 litres of fuel per 100km, while the Ultra B5 has a maximum of 263hp power and 390Nm of torque.
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Both variants come with Onyx Black, Denim Blue, Crystal White or Vapour Grey exteriors alongside Charcoal interiors, ventilated Nappa leather upholstery and grey ash wood decor.
Exterior refreshes include a new front air intake, slimmed-down headlights and a sculpted hood, providing a dynamic timeless design. These new looks mark the first major facelift for the current generation of XC90 models.
Peek inside the XC90 and you will find a redesigned front cabin: the top Ultra trim features a larger, higher resolution 11.2in central screen, a 12.3in driver display and a large head-up display.
Pilot Assist provides drivers with adaptive cruise control while Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio delivers an impressive soundstage.
The front seats are complete with lumbar support, while the panoramic sunroof and four-zone climate control system allow for a cool yet well-lit interior.
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Both the EX90 and new XC90 come with complimentary digital services for five years after purchase, while the high-voltage battery pack is warrantied for eight years. Drive knowing that a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance are at your disposal.
The EX90 Ultra Twin has a retail price of RM442,888 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM442,648 for Sabah and Sarawak.
The first 50 buyers will receive a complimentary charging wall box voucher worth RM5,000 and a foldable sunshade for the panoramic roof.
The XC90 Ultra T8 retails for RM434,888 in Peninsular Malaysia and RM434,457 in Sabah and Sarawak; for the XC90 Ultra B5, it is RM418,888 and RM418,457 respectively.
All models are available for a test drive at select authorised Volvo dealerships from mid-April. See more here.
