Next Volvo XC90 to go all-electric, 2022 unveiling confirmed
Volvo's largest model to date will climb aboard the full electrification ship next year.
The next-generation Volvo XC90 will make the switch to all-electric power, following its unveiling in 2022.
Volvo has confirmed the next generation of its long-running large luxury SUV will make the switch to electric power, just days after confirming the XC90's smaller sibling, the XC60, would make the jump to zero-emissions propulsion in 2024.
The new model will debut a fleet of "state-of-the-art sensors", including LIDAR technology developed by firm Luminar, and an autonomous driving system powered by Nvidia's Drive Orin chipset.
Volvo says the new systems will combine to allow "the car to assist and improve the capabilities of a human driver in safety critical situations", preventing accidents and saving lives (in line with Volvo's focus on safety).
The technologies will enable a new Highway Pilot autonomous system developed in conjunction with Zenseact, which will be capable of driving the vehicle autonomously "when verified safe and legally allowed for individual geographic locations and conditions".
"The fully electric successor to Volvo Cars’ XC90, to be revealed in 2022, will come with state-of-the-art sensors, including LIDAR technology developed by Luminar and an autonomous driving computer powered by the Nvidia Drive Orin system-on-a-chip, as standard," reads Volvo's statement.
"Volvo Cars is and always has been a leader in safety. It will now define the next level of car safety. By having this hardware as standard, we can continuously improve safety features over the air and introduce advanced autonomous drive systems, reinforcing our leadership in safety," said Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo Cars CEO.
Details of the new XC90 are thin on the ground, though expect it to feature the latest iteration of Volvo's Google-developed Android Automotive infotainment technology, plus sharper styling and additional luxury features over its now-seven-year-old predecessor.
While the platform the new SUV will sit on has yet to be confirmed, it's expected it will be underpinned by the next generation of the current car's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), now known as SPA2.
Mechanical specifications remain equally unclear, though expect a range of single- and dual-motor powertrain options, with driving range claims in excess of 600km in order to be competitive with its BMW iX and upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV rivals.
Rumours suggest the new XC90 will be joined by an even-larger 'XC100' in the coming years, offering a focus on luxury with six or seven seats, and a larger body than the current XC90.
Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest on the new Volvo XC90 as its launch approaches.
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