Introducing the Volvo EX60: A Nordic High-Flyer?

Contents

The rivals identified as direct competitors were once again faster than Volvo: the BMW iX3, Mercedes GLC EQ, and Audi Q6 are already on the market. This doesn't necessarily limit the EX60's chances, provided the brand can deliver. Because anyone ordering a BMW iX3 now will likely only receive it this year in exceptional cases. Despite proud prices, the Bavarians are currently struggling to keep up with production. They therefore have no urgency to push less expensive variants. This opens up the opportunity for the Volvo EX60, among others, to convince interested buyers. The key data are promising, in any case.

Prices on par with the competition

The XC60 with combustion engines has been one of the brand's most successful models for years. An electric car with a similar design and the usual conservative styling should be able to build on that. A premium price level doesn't seem to deter the target group: an XC60 equipped with the usual extras was well over 60,000 Euros list price, and with a plug-in hybrid, it was practically never less than 70,000 Euros. For the electric car EX60, Volvo is aligning itself with the competition. The preliminary offer is as follows:

	P6	P10	P12
Power in kW	275	375	500
Torque in Nm	480	710	790
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h in s	5.9	4.6	3.9
Top speed in km/h	180
Drive	Rear	All-wheel drive
Battery in kWh gross / net	83 / 80	95 / 91	117 / 112
AC charging power in kW	22
DC charging power in kW	320	370
10 to 80 percent charging in min	18		19
Range WLTP in km	620	660	810
Consumption WLTP in kWh/100 km	14.7	15.7	16
Price equipment "Plus"	62,990	65,990	71,990
Price equipment "Ultra"	69,790	72,790	78,790

This makes the EX60 similar to its main competitors and even slightly surpasses them in detail. The average net charging power between 10 and 80 percent (equivalent to 78.4 kWh net) for the top model is almost 248 kW. The replenishment of charging losses must still be added to this figure. This is expected to be completed in 19 minutes. We haven't had many electric cars that could beat this time: the Smart #5 and Xpeng G6 were among them.

BMW states 22 minutes for closing the 10-80 percent window, during which 76.3 kWh are recharged net. So, it's a bit less in a few more minutes. In practice, this should play a subordinate role. It should be clear that such times can only be achieved with appropriately equipped charging infrastructure. Charging stations with 300 kW are currently common, especially along highways, while locations with significantly more charging power are still rare.

Thick Pillar

Visually, the EX60 remains largely within Volvo's expected lines, especially at the front. The D-pillar is so massive that all-round visibility is likely to be quite restricted. Volvo takes a very unique approach with the door handles, which are housed in the sill strip between the window and the door panel. It's still only possible to estimate this from a distance, but I would guess: Volvo has had door handles that were more helpful after an accident.

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Volvo EX60: außen (6 Bilder)

Inside, the typical design for the brand is noticeable, with almost all function controls concentrated on the 15-inch screen in the center. It runs on Android Automotive, as a completely in-house developed system has long been unfeasible for Volvo. The scalable architecture of "Nvidia Drive AGX Orin" is intended to enable continuous further development. Volvo leaves open what timeframe they have in mind.

CPU from Qualcomm

Volvo has learned from the unfortunate model launch of the larger EX90. There, the initially installed hardware quickly became too slow for the applications. The matter was so embarrassing for Volvo that they offered buyers of an E-SUV costing around 100,000 Euros on average a hardware upgrade. Now Volvo relies on a Qualcomm 8255 CPU, which enables "ultra-fast processing" and creates an "AI-powered driving experience through the integration of Google Gemini," as stated in the press release. It is likely a Qualcomm SA8255P chip, which has four Cortex-A76 and four Cortex-A55 cores.

A Bit Autonomous

The demands on computing power are likely to continue to increase, which is foreseeable even in the area of assisted driving alone. Over the planned lifespan of the EX60, customers will expect more than what Volvo announces in the first step. The SUV can steer independently on highways up to 130 km/h. Combined with the standard adaptive cruise control, the feeling of a certain autonomy might arise at the wheel, but the driver always remains fully responsible here. Therefore, they should not turn their attention to other things. As progress in this area is rapid, this will likely be added in the coming years. Volvo promises to have created a structure designed for continuous hardware and software improvements.

Even this "Pilot Assist Plus," which can take over steering on highways up to 130 km/h, is currently only announced. In the pre-published price list, there is a "Pilot Assist Package" that costs between 1400 and 1900 Euros, depending on the trim level. It includes, among other things, the 360-degree view and a parking assistant, as well as a lane-keeping assistant that supports steering up to 150 km/h and uses navigation system data for this.

For now, apart from the metallic paint and a winter package, it is the only option. Volvo is thus catering to the wishes of Chinese and American customers, with a bonus for itself. Because less choice means simplified, i.e., less expensive production. For the customer, this can mean that they get their car faster. The chance to customize it in detail is thus naturally gone.

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Volvo EX60: innen (7 Bilder)

Generous Standard Equipment

Perhaps they can console themselves with the fact that the basic "Plus" equipment is already quite generous. Matrix lighting, a fixed glass roof, a heat pump, a Bose sound system, electrically adjustable seats front and rear, and smartphone access are always included. The "Ultra" version adds an even better Bowers & Wilkins sound system, higher-resolution matrix lighting, a roof that can be electrochromatically shaded at the touch of a button, and acoustic glazing. The surcharge is just under 7000 Euros. As mentioned at the beginning, the target group doesn't seem too sensitive in this regard.

Volvo has built up enormous expectations in advance. The first key data of the EX60 promise an E-SUV that can technologically keep up with the best competitors. Currently, no one offers more energy content in the traction battery, and hardly anyone recharges as quickly. However, it would be an overstatement to say that the others are now without a chance, because the EX60 only slightly pulls ahead in both aspects – and at a level that few will consider decisive for purchase. The competitors are too close technically. The EX60's list price, which is slightly lower than, for example, a Mercedes GLC EQ and already includes very generous equipment, will likely play a minor role in the final decision for or against a model in this class. It is more likely to be determined by whether one prefers the futuristic interior of an iX3 or the somewhat more reserved style of the EX60.

(mfz)