KUALA LUMPUR: Volvo Car Malaysia has launched its most advanced electric model yet, the EX90, a fully electric seven-seater designed as a “computer on wheels” and engineered to enhance its performance and safety over time via over-the-air software updates.
The EX90 Ultra Twin is priced at RM442,888 (on-the-road without insurance).
The EX90 was launched here today alongside the refreshed XC90 comprising the Ultra Twin T8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) - priced at RM434,888) - and the XC90 Ultra B5 mild hybrid, which retails at RM418,888. While the XC90 is locally assembled, the initial batch of EX90 are fully imported from Volvo's plant in China. Local assembly of the EX90 is expected towards the end of this year.
The flagship model leverages Volvo Cars’ Superset tech stack, built on a robust core computing system that incorporates Nvidia Drive AI platforms alongside in-house software, forming the backbone of its advanced driver assistance and safety features.
The EX90 is equipped with an array of sensors including radars, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and a state-of-the-art Luminar lidar unit, allowing the vehicle to achieve unprecedented levels of environment awareness.
The lidar, integrated into the roofline, uses pulsed lasers to generate precise three-dimensional spatial data, allowing the car to identify objects and potential hazards with remarkable accuracy, even in pitch darkness.
Volvo said its research showed that such integration could potentially reduce severe accidents by up to 20% and improve overall crash avoidance by around 9%.
The additional data captured by the system equips Volvo’s engineers with valuable insights to continuously refine safety parameters through machine learning and regular software enhancements.
Inside the vehicle, the EX90 features a Driver Understanding system that acts like a "co-pilot" to the driver.
It employs dual cameras and capacitive sensors in the steering wheel to monitor the driver’s gaze and steering behaviour in real time.
The system is designed to detect if the driver becomes distracted, fatigued or otherwise impaired, triggering a sequence of alerts that progress from gentle audio and visual warnings to more forceful interventions such as steering corrections or reducing the vehicle’s speed.
In extreme cases, where the driver’s condition deteriorates suddenly, the system can safely bring the vehicle to a halt, activate hazard lights and even contact emergency services.
The EX90 further increases occupant safety with its innovative Occupant Sensing feature.
This system uses a number of radars placed throughout the vehicle to detect even the slightest movement, ensuring that no passenger or pet is left behind by mistake when the car is locked.
Should the sensors register any activity—such as a sleeping toddler—alerts are triggered via visual cues, audible alarms and notifications through the Volvo Cars App, while the climate control system remains operational to mitigate any discomfort or danger caused by excessive heat.
The vehicle’s connectivity and in-car experience are significantly enhanced by a next-generation user interface centred on a 14.5-inch central touchscreen powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms.
This refined interface consolidates navigation, media, connectivity and various car functions into an intuitive layout that adapts to different driving contexts.
The system is designed to learn from the driver’s usage habits, presenting the most relevant applications at any given moment.
On top of that, the built-in Google functionality offers hands-free access to essential features, allowing drivers to execute commands through voice prompts, thereby minimising distractions.
Augmenting the central display is a secondary screen located just behind the steering wheel that provides focused information such as speed, directions and remaining range.
Drivers can tailor this display to suit their preferences by selecting from multiple viewing modes including "Calm", "Surround" and "Navigation", further supported by the largest heads-up display ever featured on a Volvo, ensuring vital information remains within the driver’s field of vision.
The EX90 comes with five years of complimentary digital services, continuous roadside assistance and an unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, while its high-voltage battery benefits from an eight-year guarantee.
The first 50 customers of the EX90 will receive a complimentary charging wallbox voucher and foldable sunshade for the panoramic sunroof worth RM5,000.
SPECIFICATIONS
