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radical zero: Test Drive Volvo EX90

The automobile as an oasis of comfort

The Volvo EX90 is so refreshingly different. It’s still difficult to describe, but there’s also more of a feeling of coolness and relaxation. The EX90 comes across as more relaxed than many others. It’s very serious, that’s part of the Swedes’ DNA, but somehow it’s like the best in the class, but also the one who’s first picked for football. And at the top of the girls’ wish list. Because it’s also quite pretty, but that’s a matter of taste.

All right, seriously: the new Volvo EX90 is built on the SPA II platform. This has a 400V architecture and an NMC battery with a net capacity of 107 kWh. It can be charged at up to 250 kW, with manual preconditioning possible. If you navigate to a charging station, it happens automatically. The charging process takes around 30 minutes to go from 10 to 80 per cent, which is an excellent value for such a large battery. A range of up to 614 kilometres is specified, so a break is advisable anyway. There are two versions, one with 408 hp and 770 Nm, the more powerful with 517 hp and 910 Nm maximum torque; both have an electric motor at the front and rear and consequently all-wheel drive. The more powerful version is called ‘Twin Motor Performance’; it can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 180 km/h, as is usual for Volvo.

It can do that. It can also take corners at speed. A low centre of gravity helps here, as does a perfectly tuned chassis and excellent steering. This inspires confidence – and knowing that there are high safety reserves contributes to the relaxed driving style of the Swede. What’s more, it is extremely comfortable. Of course, the air suspension helps here, smoothing out pretty much everything, but there is much more fine-tuning behind it: the EX90 hardly rocks at all, simply gliding along very easily, even when you feel like you are travelling very fast. This coolness is fascinating – and probably exactly what you want in an electric car. The Volvo is a very good driver, and you’ll be able to reach high average speeds, but it delivers the power with a calmness and ease that has perhaps never been seen before in this form. Yes, of course the e-tranquillity contributes a lot to this impression, cocooning, very pleasant. An excellent air conditioning system, hardly a breath can be felt, and it also works beautifully quietly.

The excellent seats help to create a good (first) impression. The interior is very minimalist, which we have come to expect from Volvo, and this also has a calming effect. The small display directly in front of the driver is ideal, showing everything that is needed, including the satnav in a reasonable size; the head-up display is thus virtually obsolete. Google provides the software, as we know from the Swedes, and with the best will in the world, there is absolutely nothing to be said against it. The workmanship makes an excellent impression, the processed, sustainable materials make a very high-quality impression. These are the signs of the times, Volvo is consistently pursuing this path to sustainability – and that deserves praise. There is more than enough space; the EX90 can also be ordered as a seven-seater. There is more than enough room in the second row, the boot holds between 324 and 1955 litres; at the front there is another Frunk with a capacity of 49 litres.

The EX90 is Volvo’s top-of-the-range model in every respect: design, safety, built to last and a few years on top of that. All this is definitely worth the money, because there is something else included in the price that is not available from the competition: the good feeling of superiority.

More power: zero. Everything else: archive. This is also part of our Volvo supplement in our print edition radical #2.

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