Tag Archives: Volvo

Volvo Begins Production of ES90, Its First 800-Volt Electric Sedan

Volvo’s march toward an all-electric lineup just hit its biggest stride yet. Production of the brand-new Volvo ES90 has officially begun for European markets, marking a turning point for the Swedish automaker as it pushes toward a fully electrified future.

The ES90 isn’t just another electric sedan—it’s Volvo’s first model built on an 800-volt architecture, which allows for both longer driving ranges and significantly faster charging than any electric Volvo before. For buyers who’ve grown impatient with slow charging times, this could be the breakthrough they’ve been waiting for.

From the outside, the ES90 leans into what Volvo does best: Scandinavian minimalism wrapped in modern elegance. But this isn’t your typical three-box sedan. Instead, it blends sedan refinement with fastback adaptability and even SUV-like ground clearance, creating a sort of all-in-one design that aims to sidestep traditional compromises. Think executive comfort without the low-slung inconvenience.

Inside, the ES90 continues Volvo’s focus on safety-first, tech-forward design. The cabin runs on a next-gen core computing system built on Volvo’s Superset tech stack, giving it the ability to evolve through continuous over-the-air updates. In theory, the car you buy today should be smarter—and possibly safer—three years from now.

Safety, naturally, remains the anchor point. Volvo has built its reputation around it, and the ES90 is no exception, layering in the brand’s latest active and passive systems. But there’s also an increasing emphasis on sustainability. Produced at Volvo’s climate-neutral Chengdu plant, the ES90 carries one of the lowest carbon footprints of any Volvo yet, according to the company’s recent Life Cycle Assessment.

Francesca Gamboni, Volvo’s chief industrial operations officer, framed it this way: “The fully electric ES90 marks a major milestone as Volvo Cars steps into a new era of safety, sustainability and human-centric technology.”

Volvo opened order books for the ES90 earlier this year, with customer deliveries expected before the end of 2025 in Europe. Key Asia Pacific markets will follow shortly after.

The ES90 represents more than a single new model—it’s a litmus test for Volvo’s ability to deliver an EV that doesn’t just check the boxes but redefines how versatile an electric luxury car can be. By bridging sedan sophistication, fastback utility, and SUV practicality, the ES90 is betting that buyers no longer want to pick a lane.

Whether that gamble pays off depends on real-world range, charging network compatibility, and how well Volvo balances all that promised versatility. But one thing is certain: with the ES90, Volvo isn’t just building another EV. It’s building a manifesto.

Source: Volvo

Goodbye, Big Boxy Swede: Volvo Pulls the Plug on the V90

Pour one out for the long-roof loyalists: Volvo has confirmed production of the V90 estate will wrap up in September. Yes, the big Swedish wagon that made middle-class practicality look like a designer lifestyle choice is about to disappear, and this time it might actually be forever.

Volvo insists the move is “in accordance” with its “global cycle plan” — which, translated from carmaker PR, roughly means SUVs make more money, and you lot keep buying them. The axe already fell on the related S90 saloon last year, clearing the runway for the upcoming all-electric ES90 liftback. That car lands in the UK early next year, and while it’s got the raised ride height and hatchback boot to sort of cover estate duties, it’s not quite the same thing as a proper longroof.

Ex-CEO Jim Rowan made the shift pretty clear when asked if Volvo was done with estates entirely: “Yeah, because I think it’s changed, right? SUVs have changed with ride height.” Translation: stop asking about wagons, people — the world’s moved on.

Rowan went further, suggesting the V90’s replacement is already hiding in plain sight. The XC60 SUV could be nudged into filling the void, with Volvo experimenting with “Black Edition” and “Cross Country” trims to appeal to the wagon diehards. Think of it as repackaging the same IKEA flat-pack practicality into a taller box.

Still, not all is lost. The smaller V60 will keep soldiering on, and Volvo UK says it’ll remain available to order. And if you’re desperate for a V90, your best bet is to start sweet-talking your local dealer and raid whatever stock is left.

It’s a bittersweet moment, really. Volvo wagons have always been more than just cars: they’re cultural icons, family haulers that carried everything from golden retrievers to flat-pack furniture without ever breaking a sweat. The V90 was peak wagon — elegant, huge, effortlessly cool in a low-key Swedish way.

Now, with the SUV tide showing no sign of retreating, we might have just seen the last true Volvo estate disappear into history.

Boxy may not be sexy anymore. But for some of us, it’ll always be brilliant.

Source: Autocar

Volvo XC70 Plug-In Hybrid: The Long-Range Swede That Might Just Replace Your Cabin in the Woods

Volvo has gone and done it again. The brand that gave us square wagons, seven-seat SUVs, and interiors that feel like a Scandinavian furniture showroom has now launched its first long-range plug-in hybrid. Meet the new Volvo XC70 — the car that promises over 200km of pure-electric driving under the CLTC cycle. Yes, 200. That’s not just class-leading for Volvo; that’s nearly enough to make you forget there’s an engine hiding under the bonnet at all.

It’s a bold move. Most plug-in hybrids give you a pitiful 40–60km of electric range, enough for the school run, but not enough to keep Greta smiling. The XC70, however, is Volvo’s way of saying: Fine, we’ll give you the range you’ve been begging for, and we’ll throw in Swedish calm while we’re at it.

A Bridge Between Two Worlds

Volvo’s CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, calls the XC70 a “cornerstone” of their electrified lineup and a “bridge to fully electric cars.” Translation? Volvo knows there are still plenty of people terrified of range anxiety, so here’s a car with the flexibility of petrol, the conscience of electric, and the stamina of a marathon runner. With a combined range north of 1,200km, you could drive from Beijing to Shanghai without breaking a sweat — or a charging cable.

Charging, Camping, and Coffee Machines

It’ll charge from 0 to 80% in just 23 minutes, which is faster than your average café latte order when the barista’s new. Even better, the XC70 doubles as a power bank on wheels. Want to power your camping gear, your blender, or even a string of fairy lights deep in the woods? Plug it in. Suddenly, the Swedes have turned the family SUV into the coolest piece of glamping kit since the inflatable hot tub.

Looks Like a Volvo, Feels Like a Volvo

Design-wise, this is pure Volvo minimalism with a modern twist. The closed grille echoes the brand’s electric siblings, while sculpted lines and a tapered roof keep it looking purposeful rather than podgy. Out back, the trademark C-shaped taillights now bleed into the glass like they’ve been sketched by an Ikea designer after two cups of strong coffee. It’s handsome in a very Swedish way: calm, confident, and utterly devoid of bling.

Step inside and it’s all serene cabins, airy space, and tasteful materials that whisper rather than shout. Volvo’s knack for turning simplicity into luxury is on full display here, right down to the carefully tuned audio system that feels like listening to jazz in a Stockholm loft.

Tech That Talks Back

Volvo has also stuffed the XC70 with tech, and not just the kind that looks good on a spec sheet. The infotainment system comes alive on a widescreen 15.4-inch display — horizontal, because the Swedes think maps should look like maps, not scrolls. You also get an optional 92-inch augmented-reality head-up display, which sounds ridiculous but actually makes motorway driving feel like a video game you can’t lose.

Oh, and of course, there’s an AI voice assistant. So now, when the kids ask “Are we there yet?” you can outsource the answer to the car.

Safety, the Volvo Way

It wouldn’t be a Volvo without a biblical list of safety systems. Safe Space Technology is the umbrella term, covering everything from radar-assisted collision avoidance to a door-opening alert that keeps you from dooming an innocent cyclist. There’s also automatic lane change assist and Park Pilot Assist for those who consider parallel parking a contact sport.

The new Volvo XC70 isn’t just another plug-in hybrid; it’s Volvo’s answer to the “What if I’m not ready to go full EV?” crowd. With its monster electric range, family-friendly comfort, and enough gadgetry to keep Silicon Valley impressed, this SUV could well be the sweet spot between petrol paranoia and battery-only bravery.

Think of it as the automotive equivalent of a Swedish summerhouse: practical, serene, and just far enough removed from the chaos of everyday life.

Now, if only they’d include a free set of Nordic skis with every order.

Source: Volvo