The Volvo EX60 will be a global midsize SUV competing in one of the most competitive segments that’s dominated by the Tesla Model Y. Volvo Cars has confirmed that it will be the next EV launch after the ES90 sedan.
The ES90 is of course not the only car we have coming. And today I’m also happy to be able to share that the EX60 is our next one coming after the ES90. As the fully-electric successor to our current bestseller, the mid-size SUV XC60, the EX60 is expected to be the next key volume driver for Volvo Cars.
Erik Severinson, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Volvo Cars (Capital Markets Day on November 14, 2024)
Expected to go on sale globally, including here in the U.S. in 2026, the EX60 should offer a number of upgrades over the smaller Volvo XC40 Recharge (Volvo EX40). Here are the seven features we expect to differentiate it:
Aerodynamic Exterior
While the Volvo EX40 has an upright and squarish exterior which gives it a tough look, the Volvo EX60 should have a sleek design with much better aerodynamics. As we have depicted in our rendering, the bigger SUV will likely carry a more streamlined shape. We expect a closed shield and flush-fitted door handles as well on the upcoming electric SUV.
The EX60 will also be our first car based on the SPA3 architecture, which is the nextgeneration and a step function change from SPA2. It will first be built for global consumers in our manufacturing facility here in Gothenburg.
Erik Severinson, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, Volvo Cars (Capital Markets Day on November 14, 2024)
Designers will likely have far more freedom creating the EX60 than they had with the EX40, as the upcoming model will be based on Volvo Cars’ significantly more advanced, dedicated EV platform, called ‘SPA3.’ As a result, it won’t look as if it were an afterthought or in any way related to an ICE vehicle. Additionally, we expect advantages like shorter overhangs, a longer wheelbase, and a lower roofline.
SPA3 is designed to be a fully bespoke battery electric vehicle. That’s why we can achieve the efficiency and really focus on eliminating all the constraints from the old combustion engine technology.
Anders Bell, Chief Engineering & Technology Officer, Volvo Cars (Capital Markets Day on November 14, 2024)
New Thor’s Hammer headlights
The Volvo EX60 should feature new Thor’s Hammer headlights with a slimmer profile and a more technical-looking pixelated design. Pixel LED lighting technology might be common between the two, though.
NACS charging port
The Volvo EX60 will likely feature the NACS charging port in North American markets. This would allow customers to access Tesla’s widespread Supercharger network, which currently comprises more than 20,000 charging stations in the U.S. alone.
LiDAR
A roof-mounted LiDAR should complement the radars, ultrasonic sensors, and cameras to help the advanced driver assistance systems get an even better understanding of the vehicle’s surroundings. LiDAR works just as well in complete darkness as in proper light on a sunny day.
Bi-directional charging
Volvo Cars will likely enable bi-directional charging functions like vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-load (V2L), and vehicle-to-home (V2H) in the EX60. This would allow customers to charge other EVs and power electronics and electrical appliances using the energy stored in the vehicle’s traction battery pack.
Occupant sensing system
Since 1998, over 900 children lost their life in the U.S. because of a heatstroke after being left in a hot car. The Volvo EX60 should feature an occupant sensing system that would prevent the driver from leaving behind a toddler or pet. This system consists of sensors in the overhead console, the roof-mounted reading lamps, and the trunk of the vehicle to detect the tiniest movements at the sub-millimeter scale.
Every time the driver locks the vehicle, the interior radar system activates and checks to ensure they aren’t leaving anyone behind. If it detects someone, it leaves the vehicle unlocked and displays a reminder on the infotainment system to check for occupants. The climate control system remains on to protect the person or pet left behind from the risk of hypothermia or heatstroke.
New Screens
Volvo Cars will likely equip the EX60 with a new 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment system with 5G connectivity and built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play. A wide 9-inch display behind the steering wheel will serve as the instrument cluster, showing the essential driving information.
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s illustration of the Volvo EX60.
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
