Volvo: XC90 revised once again, closer cooperation with Nvidia

The matter had actually been decided long ago: The battery-electric EX90, which was first shown in 2022, was to replace the XC90, which has been built since 2015. But Volvo has decided otherwise. The XC90 is getting another makeover and will be offered alongside the electric car for a few more years. This decision comes at a time when Volvo has partially revised its plan to offer exclusively battery-electric cars from 2030. Instead, the aim is now for between 90 and 100  percent of new registrations to be electrified. This explicitly includes plug-in hybrids. Up to 10 percent could be mild hybrids.

Only two drive systems left

Customers can also choose between a mild hybrid and a plug-in hybrid in the revised XC90. The once broad range of engines in Volvo's largest SUV has now been significantly reduced. The mild hybrid "B5" is specified with 8.5 to 9.2 liters in the WLTP, has an output of 184 kW and is available from 79,890 euros. The plug-in hybrid "T8" is a good deal more expensive at at least 87,490 euros. However, with a system output of 335 kW, it is even more powerful than the mild hybrid. With an electric range of up to 71 km, it would no longer benefit from the tax advantage for privately used company cars from 2025, but the CO₂ limit of a maximum of 50 grams per kilometer applies here. Volvo specifies 30 to 36 grams of CO₂ per kilometer in the cycle. The battery has a usable energy content of 14.7 kWh, which can be recharged with a maximum of 6.4 kW. Other manufacturers are now much further ahead in this respect.

Conversion to Android Automotive

Apart from a few minor details such as differently shaped headlights and a more easily accessible charging cradle for smartphones, the main focus of the redesign is on the infotainment system. Volvo is also switching to Android Automotive in the XC90, which significantly modernizes the SUV in this area. For the first time, apps from third-party providers can be integrated to a limited extent, and Google Maps is one of the best route guidance systems available.

Faster processor from Nvidia

The XC90 is also unlikely to benefit from another innovation that Volvo has revealed more about for the first time. Future models are to be equipped with the "Nvidia Drive Thor platform", which is to be significantly more powerful than the one in the recently presented EX90. Specifically, four times the computing speed is promised, with seven times the energy efficiency. Volvo intends to use this for artificial intelligence in the car and to further advance the topic of autonomous driving. The model in which the new platform will be used first has not yet been revealed. However, in view of the rapid progress in this area, a presentation should not be too far off. It is possible that the EX90 will be retrofitted quickly, because as the brand's flagship model, it should demonstrate the maximum that is currently technically possible.

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(mfz)