Volvo flew us to Barcelona, Spain, to experience the EX60 first-hand - a car that is built upon a whole new platform, fitted with an award-winning new safety belt, and one that you can have a chat with.
The EX60 is likely the smartest Volvo yet, and here are some interesting things that you need to know about it.
1. The first Volvo to be built on the SPA3 platform
The EX60 is the first car to be built on Volvo's new Scalable Product Architecture 3 (SPA3) platform, and as such, it makes the EX60 the most advanced and the smartest Volvo yet.
The SPA3 platform utilises a new 800V battery and propulsion technology to result in faster charging and incredibly long range - the range-topping P12 variant can recover up to 340km range with a 10-minute charge and has a maximum WLTP range of up to 810km.
This platform also employs cell-to-body construction, which integrates the battery into the car's body structure for lower weight, more interior space, improvements in chassis stiffness and battery protection in the case of an impact. Meanwhile, the rear floor structure is a singular casted aluminium piece, reducing production complexity, the weight of the car and the stiffness of the chassis.
2. Maximum safety - including a revolutionary new safety belt
Along with the latest platform, Volvo has also included an advanced in-house developed 'HuginCore' system, which includes one powerful Nvidia Orin X core computer and a new User Experience Computer for ultra-fast data processing and seamless user experience.
The car uses an array of advanced exterior and interior sensors to accurately determine the surroundings of the car, and the state of the driver. And all the information is utilised by the car to improve your safety on the move, forming what Volvo calls the Safe Space Technology. With all the tech, Volvo aims to achieve zero collisions, using advanced software, robust computing power and the advanced sensors to offer unprecedented level of driver assistance systems.
The advanced system also allows Volvo's revolutionary Multi-adaptive front safety belt with multi-stage load limiters to work. This safety belt uses information from the car's exterior and interior sensors, which has been analysed by the car's core computer to determine the unique pre-requisites of each collision in order to apply the optimal restraining force to help optimise protection in different situations.
3. Powered by Google Gemini AI - you can have a chat with the car
While the powerful computer and tech in the EX60 work to improve your safety, the smartest Volvo ever also offers cutting-edge technology when it comes to the infotainment system.
With Google and its Gemini AI built-in, the EX60 is able to listen to naturally spoken commands - you can ask the car to play a song, adjust the aircon temperature, among other things. But the most interesting feature, is the ability to hold conversations - powered by Gemini AI, you can simply say 'Hey google' and have a chat with the AI.
4. Unprecedented 'wing grip' door handles
With the chase for improved range, flush door handles became synonymous with modern EVs. But such designs, while sleek, can present problems - the Chinese authorities have even banned motorised door handles due to safety concerns.
And this just makes the EX60's unique 'wing grip' door handles even more impressive. These revolutionary handles reduce drag and improve range while avoiding the potential pitfalls and complications of motorised door handles. At the same time, the simple design allows a cleaner body panel, and is ergonomic and intuitive to operate - just stick your hand in and press the tactile button facing the window and you can open the EX60's door with ease.
5. The boot is thoughtfully designed
The EX60 has a considerable cargo space of 523 litres, which expands to 1,647 litres when you knock the rear seats down. But there's something interesting here, lift the boot floor up and you'll find a deep compartment, offering extra storage.
The under-floor storage is actually created due to the car's safety considerations - to protect the occupants in the event of a rear-end collision, additional crumple zone has been built in, extending rearwards from the strong, casted rear floor, resulting in the additional space.
And if you were to look at the panel on the rear boot lid after opening it, you'll also see a helpful diagram - dimensions included - that shows you what you can fit into the cargo area of the EX60. Isn't that a thoughtful and interesting touch?
The new Volvo EX60 is a smart, thoughtfully designed and pleasant car. While it is Volvo's smartest car yet, I feel that with all that it offers, it could potentially even be my favourite among the brand's current line up.
