Initially, it was believed that the new generation would still have some thermal components. However, as revealed to Auto Express, the Volvo EX60 will be purely electric and is set to hit the roads in 2025.
Positioned between the EX40/EC40 and the EX90, the EX60 is another significant model for the brand. It will utilize Volvo’s modified SEA platform, exclusively designed for electric vehicles, featuring batteries up to 100 kWh. The EX60 will elevate the model’s positioning, competing in the same segment as the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan EV, and notably the Tesla Model Y.
What to Expect from the Volvo EX60?
Renderings of the vehicle have been released, providing a glimpse into its design. While these are subject to change, they are expected to closely resemble the final product. The EX60 will adopt the latest aesthetic updates seen in the EX90 and EX30, including the larger “Mjölnir” (Thor’s hammer) headlights with an 8-bit pixel texture, flush door handles like those on the EX90, a closed grille, and aerodynamic alloy wheels.
The interior is likely to bear similarities to the EX90 rather than the EX30, featuring a minimalist design focused on efficiency, albeit heavily reliant on a central touchscreen. The EX60 will boast a large touch display with Android Automotive, albeit with premium finishes. Additionally, Volvo has hinted at experimenting with new safety sensors, suggesting the inclusion of LiDAR in the EX60.
A Revolutionary Battery
A groundbreaking feature of the Volvo EX60 will be its “structural” battery. Similar to BYD and Tesla, Volvo will integrate the battery pack into the vehicle’s floor, enhancing energy density and structural rigidity, thus improving handling.
While specifics regarding battery capacity remain undisclosed, it is expected to be around 90 or 100 kWh at its maximum capacity, slightly lower than the Volvo EX90’s 110 kWh. However, Volvo promises a range exceeding 600 km. This innovation is made possible through the implementation of a single aluminum unit beneath the chassis, known as the “megacasting.”
Another noteworthy aspect is the manufacturing location of the Volvo EX60 in Gothenburg, near the brand’s headquarters. The use of megacasting, a method employed by Tesla, Nio, Xpeng, and Volvo’s cousin, Zeekr, streamlines production processes. The megacast platform takes only 120 seconds to construct, compared to traditional multi-piece platforms. Additionally, Volvo aims to utilize 20% recycled aluminum for the platform, with plans to fully recycle the megacast at the end of the vehicle’s lifecycle.
Source: Auto Express
