Can software improve safety, technology and performance levels throughout a car's entire lifecycle? Yes, it happens on the latest Volvo ES90.
At Volvo, they describe it this way: a software-defined electric car designed to keep evolving and improving over time, raising safety, connectivity and performance levels (we explain how further below). Not a saloon in the classic sense of the word, not an SUV, not even a fastback (for those unfamiliar, it's a body style characterised by a sloping, tapered rear end). Let's say that, hatch aside, looking at the ES90, what prevails is undoubtedly the idea of a large saloon, albeit with a slightly higher ground clearance (which improves the driving view).
All of this without any impact on energy efficiency, thanks to an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.25 — the lowest ever achieved by Volvo — a record that also reflects on real-world range. In short, the ES90 is an electric car that attempts to transcend rigid classifications, carving out a space entirely its own in the high-end "zero" emissions vehicle landscape; we'll soon see with what results (certainly excellent ones in terms of comfort, perhaps the standout characteristic above all others).
The ES90 arrives at a crucial moment for Volvo. The Swedish brand — owned by the Chinese group Geely since 2010 — has long and decisively taken the road of full electrification, and the new flagship represents the sixth fully electric model in the range, sitting at the very top of the lineup alongside already well-received models such as the EX30 and the EX90.
Three versions are available: starting with the single-motor Extended range model producing 333 horsepower, a 106 kWh battery (shared across all versions) with rear-wheel drive — the subject of this test drive — moving up to the Twin motor with all-wheel drive and 456 horsepower, and culminating in the top-of-the-range Twin motor performance version with 680 horsepower (500 kW).
The electrical architecture is always 800 Volt, the maximum charging speed is near record-breaking (350 kW, allowing an 80 per cent charge in around twenty minutes). As mentioned, the dimensions are substantial: five metres long, two metres wide — the ES90's footprint is that of a high-end saloon, not particularly well-suited to city driving. The starting price? From €73,500.
A car that improves its performance as it ages sounds like a provocation. And in a way, it is; some components inevitably wear over time. What is true, however, is that remote updates such as new connectivity features, safety enhancements and battery range optimisation can all be updated and improved over the ES90's useful life, thanks to over-the-air technology. Credit goes to a computer that, thanks to its exceptional processing power — approximately 508 trillion operations per second — controls and enhances AI-based functions, particularly safety, onboard sensors and battery management.
An awareness that makes it all the more enjoyable to step inside a car that immediately offers an experience evoking the principles of Scandinavian design: brightness, no excess, everything in its place, authentic materials. The long wheelbase guarantees generous space even for rear passengers. The interior space is remarkable. The main boot is not very large relative to the car's dimensions, though things improve when the rear seats are folded. At the front, there is a second compartment for storing charging cables. The central 14.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen sits at the centre of the dashboard and provides easy access to maps, multimedia content and apps; however, not all functions are easily reachable.
The electrochromic panoramic roof — a technology that allows the transparency of the glass to be altered by applying an electric voltage — enables the cabin's brightness to be adjusted to suit weather conditions. The four-zone climate control system filters 95 per cent of PM 2.5 particulate matter and removes 99.9 per cent of allergens: a detail not to be overlooked for those who suffer from seasonal allergies.
Reassuring. That's exactly the word — knowing that the door-opening system protects cyclists and pedestrians. That when leaving the car, the ES90 makes sure no one has been left inside, thanks to a system capable of detecting even the faint breathing of a newborn. Volvo reaffirms with the ES90 its commitment to safety as a priority, with an arsenal of sensors including lidar, 5 radars, 7 cameras and 12 ultrasonic detectors. Along with a driver monitoring system that recognises when attention begins to lapse.
Considerable attention has been paid to sustainability. From the aluminium and steel used, sourced from secondary materials, to recycled polymers and biomass-derived materials, right through to the interior wood panels certified by Fsc (Forest Stewardship Council) — a guarantee that raw materials come from forests where strict environmental, social and economic standards are upheld. But there's more. The ES90 is equipped with a battery passport based on blockchain technology, which enables the tracking and traceability of the lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite used, while also highlighting the CO2 footprint of the entire battery pack. For those wishing to learn more, the ES90's carbon footprint report is available.
The cabin is among the quietest ever produced by Volvo, which makes the audio system all the more enjoyable. Music lovers travelling on the road will find in the Bowers & Wilkins system, with its 25 speakers, acoustic qualities certified by the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London, famous for having hosted many of the Beatles' recordings. A note for the road: the 3D display with 360-degree camera is a great help when manoeuvring, for at least two reasons: the considerable external dimensions and the limited rear visibility.
And now to real-world use. Range anxiety? With a declared range of around 700 kilometres (somewhat less in actual use — let's realistically say between 500 and 600 kilometres), we can almost forget it exists. On the road? The ES90 is not a sports car, let's be clear about that. It's an car that places great emphasis on comfort (the "secret" lies entirely in the air suspension, which absorbs road irregularities very effectively), on passenger space and on quietness. In a word, a car that instils peace of mind, one that is technologically highly advanced and equipped with a range and charging speed that rank among the best in its class.