Hell for a Volvo is being 80 kilometers east of Gothenburg. It is in this place which extends over 700 hectares that the Swedish brand tests its latest new products. Day and night. Night and day.
With a bit of luck, locals sometimes see one of these models, dressed in camouflage, escape from these facilities, which opened just over 50 years ago.
These days, it’s mainly prototypes of the EX90 that we see. This fully electric utility vehicle which can accommodate up to seven people on board is expected in dealerships in the fall, a year later than anticipated. Software development apparently posed more problems than expected. And since the EX90 (offered from $110,000) will be the ambassador of its energy transition, Volvo has no room for error.
Wanting to demonstrate that the EX90 is in its final development phase, Volvo invited certain members of the specialized press to test it, seated in the passenger seat however… The steering wheel being entrusted to the company’s drivers . They spared no effort to accomplish feats at the controls of a utility vehicle whose weight is still around 2700 kg. The EX90 correctly controls its body movements and appears rather alert when changing lanes. The presence of a torque vector combined with the attributes specific to an electric vehicle (often ideal weight distribution and lower center of gravity) helps to make this Volvo efficient in curves.
On the other hand, on certain sections of the circuits used inside the Volvo complex, the EX90 gave the impression of being slightly oversteering at the entrance to the bend before becoming understeering at the exit. At least, these are our observations, judging by the corrections applied to the steering wheel by Mattias Davidsson, our test driver. He was quick to remind us that if this Volvo can be driven roughly, that is not its primary vocation. “Our specifications stipulated a vehicle that was comfortable, quiet and above all very predictable to drive.” It is impossible to validate this last point (ease of handling), but it is clear that in terms of comfort and silence, the targets seem to have been perfectly achieved. The two electric propellers ensure that the EX90 moves energetically, but without emitting the slightest noise. The suspension equipped with two-chamber air springs (a first for Volvo) contributes to the softness felt in a straight line.
The EX90’s high turning circle (11.9 m) may penalize it in certain low-speed maneuvers. Volvo did not believe it necessary to rectify the situation by adding, for example, a four-wheel drive system. We can understand: Volvos have never had a good reputation in this area.
