All-new Volvo ES90 electric saloon just weeks away

• All-new electric saloon
• “Software defined car” with “safety at the forefront”
• Full reveal on March 5th

Volvo is charging full steam ahead into its electric future, and this is our first glimpse of its next EV to hit showrooms – say hello to the Volvo ES90.

Well, hello to a shadowy teaser of the ES90. We’re still a couple of weeks away from its full reveal, so these fresh images don’t give away much beyond a few design details here and there. But what will be most apparent is the sleek saloon body of the ES90, which has become something of a rarity on today’s SUV-crazed roads.

Volvo has remained tight-lipped so far about any technical details, but it’s keen to hammer home that the ES90 is a “software-defined” vehicle, using all sorts of cutting edge tech under the skin to improve safety and connectivity. In fact, it’s gone as far as to claim that the ES90 is the “most powerful car we have ever created” – but not in terms of horsepower.

What do we know so far about the Volvo ES90?

First things first, the ES90 is the spiritual successor to the Volvo S90 that was discontinued in 2023, but – as the E in its name indicates – it will be fully-electric this time around. The name follows the convention set up by the EX30 and EX90 SUVs that have recently hit the market, with ‘X’ models being SUVs and ‘S’ models being saloons.

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The ES90 will have more in common with the EX90 than just a name, though. The two cars will share the same electric ‘SPA2’ platform, which is also the foundation for the Polestar 3. That gives us a hint at the battery and motor configurations that the ES90 will use – we expect the EX90’s 107kWh battery and dual-motor layout to be carried over. The more aerodynamic shape of the saloon could result in a useful range increase, too, perhaps to over 400 miles.

So what can we see in these new images? At first glance, the ES90 doesn’t look all that different from the S90 in profile. It still has a sleek silhouette with a roofline that slopes down to the short rear decklid. It does look a bit longer, though – the side glass appears to have been stretched and the windscreen pushed further forward. That could result in a more spacious cabin in the ES90.

The top-down image of the ES90 also gives away the rear lighting design. It will feature a pair of traditional tail-lights above the rear bumper, as well as a pair integrated into the rear pillars either side of the rear window. That will tie it in nicely with the EX90, which uses a similar layout.

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Also pinched from the EX90 is the hump above the windscreen which is used to house the various driving aid sensors. These are part of what Volvo calls its “Safe Space Technology”, a suite of tech features that “help avoid accidents and hazards on the road, with the aim of making your everyday journey safer and more enjoyable”.

What does Volvo mean by “software defined car”?

“Software-defined” is an expression that’s being thrown around in the car industry these days, especially when it comes to the latest EVs. Essentially, the ES90 has been designed from the ground up around the latest computing technology, which has led Volvo to describe it as its “most powerful car” ever.

"Powerful" meaning computing power, not horsepower – sorry, enthusiasts. That means the new Nvidia chips that power the car are more advanced than ever and have better connectivity capabilities for over-the-air updates. There’s even some AI tech baked in, which will power some of the car’s safety systems.

Volvo’s Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Anders Bell, explains: “The Volvo ES90 is one of the most technically advanced cars on the market today and is designed to be improved further with time. Built on our state-of-the-art Superset tech stack, the ES90 puts safety at the forefront.”

How much will the Volvo ES90 cost and when can I buy one?

More details, including price and range and performance specs, will be revealed following the ES90’s debut on March 5th. It will compete with cars like the Audi A6 e-tron and BMW i5, but it’s likely to be more expensive. The Volvo EX90, with which the ES90 shares its platform and tech, starts from over £96,000, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the ES90 commanded a similar amount.

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