It’s official: the first electric minivan from the Swedish brand is called Volvo EM90 and will be presented in China on November 12, 2023, when Chinese customers can start ordering it. Some spy photos of the final vehicle have also appeared.
The vehicle will also be launched in the West, probably starting in the USA and then in European markets, beginning in 2024. As the fifth electric model from Volvo, it is the third to be built on a dedicated platform, like the Volvo EX90 and EX30.
What do we know about the Volvo EM90
As with many other models, the Swedish manufacturer releases new details about the vehicle every week in anticipation of its official debut. Being a luxury MPV, the EM90’s goal is not so much to offer exceptional driving dynamics but rather comfort for passengers. Volvo itself describes the minivan as a car designed to “save time and reduce stress.”
At the helm of the vehicle’s design is Sophie Li, head of design at the Volvo Design Studio in Shanghai, who stated: “In designing the EM90, we focused on creating a space for personal well-being and an experience that emphasized the ability to travel with style and elegance. To create the interiors of the EM90, we focused on a car that could be just as functional when traveling for work as when traveling with one’s family. It was a stimulating challenge for the entire design team.”
This results in the most spacious cabin ever offered by Volvo, designed both as a space to relax with friends and family and as a mobile office for working in a comfortable environment. There are six seats, each independent with their own space and personalized options for entertainment and comfort settings. The main focus is on the second-row seats, which are special lounge chairs with massage function, ventilation and heating options, tables, and integrated cup holders.
They also feature zero-gravity cushions with a seven-layer structure and a thickness of over 120 mm, which includes high-density cushioning layers to ensure comfort and support. The third row is still accessible, thanks to the sliding rear doors and the long-sliding second-row seats. The Volvo EM90 also features an extended panoramic sunroof that covers the entire cabin, with a sunshade and multiple ambient lighting settings that create a Scandinavian atmosphere and various themes that recreate Swedish forests, the Northern Lights, and the midnight sun.
Speaking of Scandinavia, there are several typical design details from these latitudes, such as the Orrefors crystal for the gear lever or the birch wood panels on the dashboard, doors, and rear of the front row seats