Fresh from its global launch in California, the Volvo EX90 has now been introduced to Africa by Volvo Cars South Africa as a halo flagship model in what the Swedish luxury automaker terms a “restart strategy” for the local market.
In tandem with the launch of its flagship EX90 and the new strategy kick-off, Volvo South Africa has confirmed its local dealer network will be cut back from 19 dealers to only seven in the coming months. According to Volvo, this forms part of a broader strategy to improve customer experience and align with trends such as electrification and digital retailing.
This means only four motor retail dealer groups will now represent the brand here: CMH, SMH Bedfordview, Tom Campher Motors, and Rola Motors Somerset West. The retailers will serve seven key locations across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape Province.
This cutback, the strengthening of the brand offering by the EX30 Cross Country and ES90, plus facelifted versions of the XC90 and XC60, in the coming year, as well as the new strategy alignment will hopefully culminate in the brand attaining up to 20% overall market share in the luxury segment in the next five years.
ULTRA SPECIFICATION ONLY
Offered locally in Ultra specification with the Twin Performance electric drivetrain, the EX90 is essentially an all-electric version of the XC90 SUV. It shares the same SPA platform and wheelbase as its imminently updated stablemate but is powered by dual electric motors, delivering power to all four wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission.
In this sense, the EX90 renews the focus on luxury and perceived build quality for the Scandinavian brand while highlighting advanced integrated driver assistance systems and technologies that can play an important role in future passenger vehicles.
Designed to be the safest Volvo vehicle ever built, the EX90 has a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with steering support (Pilot Assist), a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, lane keeping aid, Park Pilot Assist and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, to name a few.
The EX90 also introduces cutting-edge sensing technology, including radars, LiDAR, and cameras, to ensure maximum protection for the vehicle and its occupants. Additional safety features include driver and passenger airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, inflatable curtain airbags, side-impact protection airbags, whiplash protection (WHIPS), and Isofix anchors for the outer rear seats.
MINIMALIST ELEGANCE
The EX90 is a showpiece of Swedish minimalist elegance inside and outside. Exterior design features include LED “Thor’s Hammer” headlights with signature lighting, glossy black roof rails, high-gloss black lower bumper trims, a closed grille (with active louvres) and a bulge on top of the windscreen for the integrated LiDAR technology.
A huge panoramic glass roof, aero-optimised 22″ wheels, laminated side windows and an understated rear end with electric tailgate complete the picture of elegance. The EX90’s spacious cabin is meticulously crafted, blending cutting-edge technology and premium materials to create a serene and calm atmosphere for up to seven occupants across three rows.
Featuring virtually every conceivable convenience, with high-quality, sustainable vinyl upholstery for the power-adjustable seats (massage and heated up front, and heated in the second row), a journey in the EX90 is a first-class experience – further elevated by the lack of engine noise, excellent sound dampening and a compliant, gliding ride quality.
However, although the big 14.5″ centre screen works a charm, we found the absence of buttons disconcerting, as you even have to change the steering wheel and side-mirror settings on screen! Even so, the 9″ digital instrument screen and head-up display provide relevant information to the driver… and the Bowers & Wilkins audio system is an audiophile’s dream.
POWERFUL BUT HEAVY
The Twin Motor Ultra model delivers a heady 380 kW and 910 Nm of torque from a 111 kWh battery (107 kWh usable) and an electric motor on each axle for all-wheel-drive propulsion, and this enables it to sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
However, although linear enough, the initial acceleration isn’t neck-snapping fast, due to the phased release of power, much like in the BMW iX. In terms of performance, the XC90 also feels like the iX, composed and sure-footed, but heavy (it weighs over 2.5 tonnes) and this mass is felt under braking and cornering. However, our test drive was too short to form a cognisant opinion.
In most driving conditions, the 180 kW front motor supplies propulsion, with the rear-mounted 280 kW unit kicking in when conditions dictate, and a clutch-based torque-vectoring system setup shifts power between the left and right rear wheels. Volvo claims a range of around 600 km in mixed driving conditions, and with a 250 kW DC fast charger (not available locally), the battery can be recharged in 30 minutes (10-80%).
The EX90 is now available with a price tag of R2,650,000, including a three-year/60,000 km maintenance plan, a five-year/100,000 km warranty, an eight-year battery warranty, and five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance. EX90 owners will also receive two years of free public charging, a GridCars wallbox installation, and 10 GB of Vodacom monthly data for three years.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © VOLVO CARS SOUTH AFRICA
