Volvo Car Malaysia launched the Volvo ES90 today, marking the brand’s first fully electric sedan for the local market and its latest locally assembled model from Shah Alam.
Only the rear-wheel drive version is on sale locally; we are not getting the all-wheel drive unit.
Volvo said the ES90 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range offers up to 651km of range on the WLTP test cycle and uses an 800-volt electrical architecture aimed at cutting charging times.
It priced the ES90 from RM339,888 (on-the-road without insurance) and rolled out a 2% early-bird incentive for the first 100 bookings made by March 31.
“For 60 years, Volvo has been part of the Malaysian journey. Today, we turn a new page with the launch of the ES90,” said Volvo Car Malaysia and Thailand managing director Chris Wailes.
“This is the car for the driver who seeks balance – blending the executive presence of a premium sedan with the sustainability and performance of our latest electric technology. It is locally assembled, globally class-leading, and designed to look after you like only a Volvo can.”
The ES90 is a fastback-style sedan with SUV-like space, helped by a 3.1-metre wheelbase and a large tailgate opening.
Boot space is 424 litres, expanding to 904 litres with the 40/20/40 rear seats folded. A 27-litre front compartment or frunk provides storage for items such as charging cables.
Charging is a key talking point. Volvo said the ES90 could charge from 10% to 80% in about 22 minutes when plugged into a 350kW DC fast charger. It also pointed to long-distance use cases, saying the quoted range supported interstate driving with fewer charging stops.
On design, the ES90 bears Volvo’s Thor’s Hammer headlight signature and new C-shaped rear lamps, with additional lighting elements in the rear window for welcome and farewell sequences. Four exterior colours are offered: Vapour Grey, Crystal White, Denim Blue and Onyx Black.
Inside, the ES90 came with four-zone climate control and an air purifier that Volvo said could block up to 95% of PM2.5 particulates and remove 99.9% of certain pollen allergens. A panoramic roof with electrochromic glass is claimed to offer up to 99.9% UV protection, with adjustable transparency.
Technology and safety are central to the pitch. Volvo said the ES90 is its first model powered by the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin computing platform, processing data from cameras and radars to support a 360-degree safety system.
The sensor set includes five radars, seven cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors. The car also features a driver understanding system and a door-opening alert intended to warn occupants of cyclists or pedestrians.
Infotainment uses Google built-in services and runs on a Snapdragon Cockpit Platform with 5G capability, displayed across a 9-inch driver screen, a head-up display and a 14.5-inch centre touchscreen. A 360-degree camera system supports a 3D surround view.
Volvo said the ES90 achieves a drag coefficient of 0.25 and accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 6.6 seconds. It also cited recycled-content figures for materials used, including recycled aluminium and steel, plus recycled polymers and bio-based materials.
The ES90 is available for viewing at authorised dealers nationwide from today, with bookings open online and through retailers.
In conjunction with the ES90 arrival, Volvo also launched a year-long safety campaign called “Selamat”.
