Volvo has shown off the EM90, its first car designed for the Chinese market. On China’s test track, the EM90’s single electric motor on the back axle produces 268 horsepower, and its 116.0-kWh battery gives it a range of 459 miles. The lavish interior features numerous screens, a 21-speaker audio system, and seating for six individuals. It’s strange that Volvo, the company that makes boxy cars, has yet to try out the family-friendly minivan shape. Volvo’s relationship with Geely helps the new Volvo EM90, which shares a chassis and drivetrain with the electric Zeekr 009, which is only sold in China. The car used to have a harsh, aggressive appearance, but now it has a more calm and stylish look with a focus on safety. The EM90 is about the same size as the Zeekr, but it has more delicate details. The famous “Thor’s hammer” headlights from Volvo are tall and wide, and they take up most of the car’s large, flat front end. They are decorated with complex LEDs and a lit Volvo logo. The EM90 has wheels that are 19 or 20 inches in diameter, taillights that are angled vertically, and a full-width light bar on the back with the word “Volvo” lit up on it. Instead of rapid handling, anticipate a “comfortable living room on the move,” as Volvo describes it. The Zeekr is powered by two 536 horsepower motors. The EM90, on the other hand, has a single engine in the back that produces 268 horsepower. According to reports, the rear-wheel-drive minivan would take 8.3 seconds to reach 62 mph, while the Zeekr will only take 4.5 seconds. Both the Volvo and the Zeekr have 116.0-kWh batteries, but the 009 can be upgraded to a 140.0-kWh battery. Volvo claims a range of 459 miles based on tests conducted in China, which is more than the Zeekr’s 436 miles. Nokia says that the EM90’s battery can power other cars and electronics, and it can be charged from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes. Another great thing about the EM90 is its six-seat, lounge-style cabin. The back captain’s seats are airy and light, and they look like velvet. They also have tables that fold out. The dashboard, doors, and front seatbacks are made of birch wood panels with a fancy design that lights up from behind. Orrefors crystal is used to make the shifter. The 15.6-inch entertainment screen hangs from the ceiling. It has a camera for video chats and works with a lot of third-party apps. The sound comes from a 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.The driver has a tiny monitor behind the steering wheel and a 15.4-inch infotainment screen. Screens on the doors let people in the back do different things. Volvo talks a lot about how quiet the EM90 is by mentioning technologies like dual-chamber air suspension, specially designed tires, and noise-canceling technology. Ambient lighting creates a mood with scenes that look like the Northern Lights, Swedish forests, or “the Dawn of Midsummer.” From the clear glass ceiling hangs a curtain. Volvo puts safety first, even though the EM90 and Zeekr 009 are built on the same platform. Volvo says that advanced driver assistance functions are made possible by radar, ultrasonic, and camera sensors, as well as a strong steel and aluminum frame that keeps the battery and passengers safe. For Volvo, the EM90 is “coming first to China,” which makes sense since luxury minivans are very popular there. There was some talk about exporting, which is interesting. It wouldn’t surprise us if the EM90 ended up in the United States. It might not come for a few years if it does, however. In any case, we hope that in the future, other Volvo models will have the EM90’s elegant and calm interior design.
