Volvo EX60 to debut in 2025
Volvo Cars offers electric SUVs in small, compact, and large SUV segments, but it’s still absent in one of the most in-demand segments globally – mid-size. The company will fill that void in its electric SUV lineup with a first-ever Volvo EX60 in 2025, according to a new AutoExpress report. The EX60 will be the successor to the XC60, the best-selling Volvo model globally (2023 sales volume: 228,646 units).
It is no news that Volvo Cars plans to replace the XC60 with a pure electric mid-size SUV. The company confirmed that in an announcement about its intention to establish a joint venture with Northvolt for EV batteries in June 2021. Erik Severinson, Volvo Cars’ new Chief Product & Strategy Officer, has said that this model will be based on an “evolution” of the (SPA 2) platform that underpins the EX90.
Volvo Cars has taken a €420 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the development of a new platform for EVs, but it hasn’t revealed whether it’ll use that to fund the EX60’s platform. Unlike the EX90, the EX60 will have a structural battery pack, leading to “improved energy density” and, thanks to better structural rigidity, “great driveability.” According to the report, the EX60 could deliver a range of up to 400 miles (644 km).
Another difference between the EX60 and EX90, although yet to be confirmed, could be that the upcoming EV’s battery pack would operate at 800 volts, double the voltage of the EX90’s battery pack, resulting in faster charging and consistent high performance. The higher operating voltage may result in lower weight and space required for the installation space of the cabling as well.
Along with a structural battery pack, megacasting will help Volvo Cars stiffen the body of the EX60. The company plans to use a mega-casted aluminium floor in the rear of this model. The new mega-casted rear floor will help it save 15-20% in weight compared to a conventional stamped one. It may lead to a better boot capacity as well.
The Volvo EX60 will compete with not only the Tesla Model Y but also the Mercedes EQC successor, Audi Q6 e-tron, the next-gen BMW iX3, and the Genesis Electrified GV70.
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