Volvo Automotive Australia has confirmed it has an extra new electrical car (EV) on the way in which in 2025, however it’s unclear simply what it will likely be.
Talking with CarExpert, Volvo Automotive Australia managing director Stephen Connor confirmed the brand new EX90 – due late 2024 or early 2025 at this stage – will likely be adopted by one other battery-electric car Down Underneath.
“We’ll be launching one other automotive later [in 2025] with battery electrical as effectively,” Mr Connor mentioned.
Mr Connor’s remark got here off a query about future product launches being plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or electrical main into the native division’s strategic transfer to go all-electric from 2026.
The model’s native boss mentioned all new mannequin launches any longer will likely be electrical, with the scope for brand new or further PHEVs to return within the type of facelifts or further variations of present fashions.
“Each new automotive that we carry will likely be a battery electrical automotive. So each new mannequin that comes into the vary will likely be battery electrical,” Mr Connor instructed CarExpert.
“That’s vital for me to stress that. If it’s a brand new mannequin, it will likely be purely battery electrical; if it’s an present mannequin or facelift then that’s the present XC60 or XC90 [where there’s scope for non-EV launches before 2026].”
It’s unclear what this new Volvo EV will likely be in Australia, given the not too long ago revealed EM90 folks mover hasn’t been given the inexperienced gentle by the Chinese language-owned Swedish model’s native arm simply but.
Fellow Geely subsidiary Zeekr can also be making ready to launch the virtually equivalent 009 MPV in Australia.
At this stage just one electrical powertrain possibility has been detailed for the EM90. The one, rear-mounted electrical motor produces 200kW of energy, which Volvo claims is nice sufficient to despatched the automotive from 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds.
Volvo claims the EM90 has a spread of as much as 738km from its 116kWh battery pack based on lenient CLTC requirements. The corporate additionally claims charging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent will take underneath half-hour.
The Zeekr 009 then again is powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup producing 400kW and 686Nm. It’s unclear if this powertrain will grow to be accessible within the EM90 at some stage.
Following the arrival of the EX90, it’ll be Volvo’s 60 Sequence that would be the model’s solely line of automobiles with out an electrical possibility.
The present S60, V60, V60 Cross Nation and XC60 can be found globally with a mixture of mild-hybrid petrol engines and a few plug-in hybrid choices, however Volvo is but to disclose or element a brand new EV mannequin for any of those nameplates.
Given the XC60 is the model’s prime vendor globally, it might be logical to imagine that the following all-electric reveal from Volvo will likely be a brand new model badged EX60 – very similar to the EX90 is to the present XC90.
Nevertheless, Volvo hasn’t launched any teasers or affirmation of such a mannequin but. Mr Connor’s timeline of someday in 2025 nonetheless works although, because the car may very well be revealed within the second half of this 12 months and be in market Down Underneath inside 12 months after that – particularly if it’s sourced from China just like the EX30, XC40 and XC60.
One other chance is a next-generation flagship sedan, which based on a current report will likely be a successor to the present S90 and be referred to as ES90.
Teknikens Värld reported in December that Volvo constructed the primary instance of the brand new automotive, referred to internally because the V551, at its plant south of Shanghai.
The publication additionally posted a picture from the manufacturing facility ground of an indication that reads “Prime Secret”, and close to one other that reads “Volvo Vehicles V551 First VP Automotive Celebration”. ‘VP’ is one other time period for verification automotive, meant for analysis earlier than full manufacturing commences – that is anticipated to start in 2024.
It’s understood that like the present S90 and XC90, the ES90 will likely be carefully associated to the upcoming EX90 underneath the pores and skin, in addition to the Polestar 3.
Volvo Automotive Australia axed the S90 again in 2019, with its V90 Cross Nation sibling following it out the door in 2021. Ought to it come to Australia, the ES90 (or no matter it’s referred to as), would compete with the likes of the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE.
Mr Connor has additionally confirmed that Volvo Automotive Australia will carry the extra adventurous EX30 Cross Nation, seemingly in 2025, although this isn’t anticipated to be the opposite new EV that Mr Connor has confirmed for a 2025 launch.
The EX30 Cross Nation will carry a extra SUV-like aesthetic for the city-sized electrical crossover.
Key highlights of the near-production idea revealed final 12 months embrace raised floor clearance, and 19-inch black alloy wheels with the choice of smaller 18-inch alloy wheels “with bespoke tyres” – seemingly extra rugged rubber.
Different distinguishing options embrace a entrance, rear and aspect skidplates; particular black panel trims for the entrance bumper and tailgate; in addition to Cross Nation badging with a small bonnet-mounted Swedish flag as “the cherry on prime”.
Volvo Automotive Australia posted a report gross sales 12 months in 2023, with 11,128 models (up 3.9 per cent) registered for the calendar 12 months.
The petrol and electrical XC40 vary was the star of the present, accounting for 5837 registrations (up 14.0 per cent). Second place went to the mid-sized XC60 with 2542 models (down 26.6 per cent).
The model is down 30.8 per cent 12 months so far as of 30 April, although the launch of the all-new EX30 is predicted to supply a shot within the arm.
Mr Connor himself mentioned the EX30 might account for 30 per cent of the model’s total quantity in Australia, with 3900 models anticipated to be delivered to clients all through the course of 2024.
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