Volvo to Develop Electric Sedan Prototype, Potentially Named ES90

The future product pipeline of Volvo, as indicated by Automotive News, suggests that the company is gearing up to commence production of an electric version of its S90 sedan in late 2024, with sales expected to begin in 2025. A verification prototype (VP) of the car, internally referred to as the V551 and publicly anticipated to be named the ES90, has already been celebrated by Volvo. This marks a significant milestone for the company, with workers at Geely’s Cixi Assembly Plant in China recently commemorating the arrival of the car. However, the actual name of the production model is yet to be confirmed, as Volvo has applied to trademark the name ES90, although Lexus has expressed concern over the potential similarity to its ES sedan line.

Leaked Volvo documents from last year have provided insight into the specifications of the ES90, indicating that the electric vehicle will likely be slightly smaller in size than the current S90 model. If these specifications hold true for the production model, the ES90 is expected to be 1.5 inches shorter than the EX90, while sporting a 2.5-inch longer wheelbase. This configuration suggests that the ES90 could be tailored as a chauffeur-special vehicle for the Chinese market.

The ES90 is rumored to be equipped with a 111-kWh battery pack, similar to the one powering the EX90, and is expected to offer a range of nearly 600 kilometers (373 miles) on China’s CLTC vehicle regimen. Additional speculated specs include a powertrain generating 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, as well as a curb weight of approximately 5,511 pounds for the RWD trim and 5,732 pounds for the dual-motor AWD trim. Volvo has emphasized that the ES90 is the first global model developed with the Shanghai engineering team in the lead, hinting at a significant milestone for Volvo’s electric vehicle development.

According to Volvo’s internal timeline, the ES90 is scheduled to enter production in March 2024, with a market launch anticipated for later in the year or in 2025. In addition to the EV sedan, an updated ICE-powered S90 is rumored to also be in the works, featuring potential offerings such as 22-inch wheels.

In summary, Volvo’s foray into the electric vehicle market with the ES90 signifies an important step in the company’s dedication to electrification and sustainability. With a distinct focus on the Chinese market and advancements in electric vehicle technology, the ES90 is poised to play a pivotal role in Volvo’s future product lineup.