Volvo Enters Luxury MPV Space With Global Debut Of The EM90 Electric MPV

It has premiered as a 6-seater offering with a lounge-like experience for the middle row

• Volvo EM90 is the Swedish brand’s entry into the luxury MPV segment.

• It comes with lounge seats in the middle row that offer massage function and built-in tables.

• Gets a 15.8-inch roof-mounted display and a large panoramic sunroof too.

• The EM90 uses a 116 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor for a claimed range of over 700 km (CLTC).

• Will launch in China first and could come to India by 2025.

The luxury MPV market has been gaining popularity in various markets across the globe, especially across Asia. As such, the space sees the entry of an iconic brand with the debut of the Volvo EM90 which will first go on sale in China.

Exterior Styling

The Volvo EM90 features a blend of typical boxy MPV proportions with the Swedish carmaker’s stylish details. Its front end is immediately recognisable as a Volvo thanks to the Thor’s Hammer headlamps while it has a particularly large closed-off grille that also features an illuminated logo.

From the side, it has a stylish and no nonsense design with blacked out pillars and large glass surfaces. It rides on 19- or 20-inch wheels and gets sliding rear doors. 

However, the rear design seems most unique for the EM90 which sports a new take on the vertical taillamps that extend both above and below the base of the rear windscreen. Their positioning accentuates the MPV’s width with the middle horizontal section featuring a chrome accent.

A Comfortable Interior

Volvo has designed the China-ready EM90 to be able to cater to both family and executive purposes in the same form factor. While a 6-seater, it gets lounge seats in the middle row with powered adjustment, massage function, heating and ventilation, and built-in tables. 

The middle-row occupants get further treated by the large panoramic sunroof, and a roof-mounted 15.6-inch screen that can fold down and is tilt adjustable to suit your viewing angle. Controls for the rear windows, blinds and individual climate zones can be found on the door, likely operated by touch, including a small TFT display.

For the driver, the Volvo EM90 has a simple and minimalist dashboard with just the two displays and no control panel in the middle. There’s a widescreen unit for the digital driver’s display and a large 15.4-inch touchscreen for the infotainment and various other car functions. It comes with connected car technology of course, and a 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

Meanwhile, the centre console at armrest height connecting all the way to the dash creates zonal separation for the front passengers as well. It also houses the beautifully crafted drive-selector with the glass finish, cupholders and a wireless charging pad.

While details for the third row are limited, it should be easy to access thanks to the wide opening of the sliding doors and the range of adjustment for the middle-row seats. Given the tall design of the EM90, it should also offer ample headroom for the last row.

• Electric Cars in India

Powertrain Details

The Volvo EM90 is based on a new platform and houses a 116 kWh battery that powers a single electric motor rated at 272 PS. As per the carmaker, that’s good enough for a 0-100 kmph sprint in 8.3 seconds. Since the electric MPV is making its market debut in China, the claimed range of 738 km is as per the CLTC (China Light duty vehicle Test Cycle). Also, the EM90 can support ultra fast charging in order to top the battery from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes.

Will It Come To India?

Even though Volvo has not officially confirmed which markets will be getting the new EM90 premium electric MPV, we feel confident that India is on the list. The success of the Toyota Vellfire suggests there is a demand for luxury MPVs that offer a more comfortable lounge experience than any other body type. However, the pure-electric nature could delay its market entry to 2025 as Volvo is more likely to bring the EX90 electric SUV to India first.