The Electric Minivan Masquerade: Unmasking the Volvo EM90
It's 2023, and I find myself pondering the great mysteries of the universe: Is there life on Mars? Why does my toast always land butter-side down? And why, oh why, has Volvo decided that its new electric minivan, the EM90, is a spitting image of the Zeekr 009 but with a price tag that makes my wallet weep?
Let's roll back a bit. You see, I've been covering vehicles since the days when gasoline was king and diesel was its queen. But like a teenager swapping their posters of pop stars for quantum physics equations (just me?), I've shifted my focus to electric vehicles. Still, I can't help but raise an eyebrow, sprinkled with a hint of skepticism, at some of these new electric chariots.
So, Volvo has unveiled their EM90 – a luxurious, long-range electric MPV. "Luxurious," you say? Well, with a price starting at a cool $114,000 (or 818,000 RMB if you fancy), it better be lined with unicorn fur. Remember, this is Volvo's first MPV since the 1953 Volvo Duett, which frankly, was more utility than luxury. And let's not forget, they stopped making those in 1969 - talk about a hiatus!
Now, the EM90, measuring a grand 17.08 feet (5,206 mm) in length, 6.64 feet (2,024 mm) in width, and 6.09 feet (1,859 mm) in height, is undeniably big. Its wheelbase is a lengthy 10.51 feet (3,205 mm), ensuring you and your fellow passengers have enough room to practice your yoga poses (or maybe not). It rolls on either 19- or 20-inch wheels, which are as aerodynamic as they are shiny.
The inside of this behemoth is a six-seat affair, with the middle row resembling something out of a sci-fi movie. We're talking ventilated seats that slide and a 15.6-inch screen descending from the heavens (or the headliner, to be precise). Volvo claims these seats can transform into a "theater, meeting room, or a bedroom." Bedroom, you say? Now that's optimistic!
Under the hood - or wherever electric motors hide these days - sits a rear-mounted powertrain churning out 268 horses (200 kW). It'll get you from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a leisurely 8.3 seconds. Not exactly lightning-fast, but then again, this isn't a race car. It's a living room on wheels.
The battery? A hefty 116 kWh unit that promises a range of 458 miles (738 kilometers). And yes, it does bidirectional charging, so if you find yourself in a pickle, your minivan could very well power your house. A modern-day superhero.
But here's the kicker: this luxurious behemoth is, in essence, the Zeekr 009 wearing a Volvo mask. A bit like when Lancia thought it could fool us with rebadged Chryslers, or Fiat selling Dodges in sheep's clothing. The Zeekr 009, mind you, starts at about $80,000 (588,000 RMB), and it's not skimping on the luxury or the features. So why the hefty premium for the Volvo badge?
The EM90 is undoubtedly a statement piece. It's like wearing a designer label – some will pay for the prestige. But at over $114,000, I can't help but wonder if Volvo is testing the waters or just plain overconfident. And let’s not forget that Zeekr as a brand has plenty to brag about - take the mad electron-fire-breathing and Tesla-chasing 001 FR - let’s hope Volvo won’t slap its badge onto that one…
As a car and motorcycle enthusiast who's seen it all, from rumbling V8s to whisper-quiet EVs, I remain intrigued yet - as always - cautiously skeptical. The EM90 is a bold move for Volvo, a leap into a future where luxury and electric propulsion intertwine. But is it a leap too far, or just right? Only time, and perhaps the market, will tell.
In the meantime, I'll stick to my less-than-luxurious electric scooter. It might not have ventilated seats, but it gets me to the coffee shop without breaking the bank.
Yours truly,
Captain Electro
