Volvo launched a fully-electric minivan known as the EM90 in China on Monday, the place the luxurious MPV phase is massively standard. The Volvo EM90 would be the Swedish automaker’s first minivan, and it simply occurs to be a rear wheel drive EV, although Volvo says the EM90 traces its roots again to the Volvo Duett from the mid-Twentieth century.
The connection is tenuous at greatest for the reason that Duett resembles extra of an SUV that will pave the best way for Volvo’s property fashions. That is, its wagons, which Volvo would come to be identified for. The EM90 is constructed on the identical platform because the Zeekr 009 and shares its fully-electric drivetrain with the Chinese minivan.
The EM90 and 009 share a lot due to Geely’s possession of Volvo. Now that Volvo’s mother or father firm can also be the proprietor of Zeekr, the 2 are sharing their newest platforms in addition to a dedication to EVs, that are taking off on the earth’s largest auto market, China.
The Volvo EM90 is principally a rebadge of the Zeekr 009 however has main variations, together with a much less highly effective drivetrain with a single electrical motor using over the rear axle, which makes 268 horsepower. The Zeekr 009, however, will get a dual-motor setup that makes 536 hp for a dash to 62 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds …in a minivan.
The EM90 will do the identical run in a leisurely 8.3 seconds, which isn’t precisely sluggish, per se. Just not similar to the Zeekr’s blistering speeds. While the Volvo loses among the pace of its 009 cousin, the Swedish MPV beneficial properties a small little bit of vary, getting as much as 738 kilometers per full cost. That’s 459 miles, however these vary estimates are based mostly on the Chinese check cycle, which accounts for EV vary in a different way than the U.S. check cycle.
The Volvo EM90 could have a battery pack with a 116 kWh capability, the identical as the bottom mannequin Zeekr 009. The EM90 is able to charging from 10 to 80 % in underneath half-hour. The Zeekr 009 might be ordered with a bigger 140 kWh battery whereas that doesn’t appear to be an possibility with the Volvo.
Volvo has not confirmed whether or not the EM90 will come to the U.S. or not, but it surely’s not prone to be offered within the states. Luxury minivans aren’t as standard right here — or aren’t standard in any respect — as they’re in China, the place the EM90 will likely be offered as an MPV that pulls double responsibility hauling fancy executives throughout enterprise hours and households with as much as six members after the workday ends. Hence the connection to the Volvo Duett.
Since it’s meant to ferry high-powered executives, the Volvo’s cabin is decked out in luxurious. A roof mounted 15.6-inch display folds down for use for conferences, conferencing or watching motion pictures. The EM90’s second row has captain’s chairs, or what Volvo calls “lounge seats,” whereas the third row is a normal bench seat, although it appears plush and comfortable in its personal proper.
The remainder of the luxe appointments embody a 15.4-inch display on the dashboard and a Bowers and Wilkins audio system that boasts 21 audio system. Volvo says it paid additional consideration to sound proofing the EM90’s cabin to show it right into a front room on wheels. The luxurious minivan is predicted to begin at 818,000 yuan, or about $113,000 at present trade charges.
Source: jalopnik.com