The Volvo EX30 was launched in Johannesburg today. It is Volvo’s smallest and most affordable EV starting at R775 900. While its their smallest EV, Volvo says it comes with all the features drivers would expect from any of their other vehicles. It is a small vehicle with big power.
Safety
There are a few new features in the EX30 deserving of attention. The first one is the extra airbag on the inside between the driver and passenger seats. In case of an accident, the driver and passenger do not hit one another.
Another addition is the entry door protection. If it senses a cyclist approaching, the door will not open until the cyclist passes. It prevents injury to the cyclist as well as damage to the door and the bicycle.
Safety features such as oncoming lane mitigation, front cross traffic alert and clear cross traffic alert to name a few, are standard on all variants. The EX30 can park itself with automated parking.
Power
The Volvo EX30 has three different types of electric propulsions. From this there is the entry vehicle using the 51 kWh battery and there is also the other variants that use the 69 kWh battery. In full, there is a 5-strong model lineup for the local market.
Performance is not neglected either. It goes from 0 – 100 in 3.7 seconds – the fastest recorded in a Volvo. Its top speed is 180km/h. Certainly not disappointing for an EV and likely to satisfy even the biggest sceptic of performance in EVs.
The range did not receive much attention at the launch. It offers a maximum of 480km which is not as good as some others in the market – granted these cost more.
Sound
Another addition to anticipate is the incorporation of a soundbar into their EX30. This can be adjusted with six different sound equalisers.
Volvo is the first manufacturer in the world to install a sound bar in the vehicle. Along with the sound bar are Harman Kardon speakers. The soundbar allows the creation of deeper side door pockets. Thus, you can put more items in there because the wiring, electronics and speakers are all removed. Everything is now on the soundbar. The output of sound is 1040 watts in total. There is also a subwoofer at the back of the vehicle that adds to this. There are also the deep door pockets because of the soundbar.
Sustainability
By 2040, Volvo aims to be carbon neutral. In pursuit of this they use 70% recycled plastic in the interior and part of the interior materials come from fibres leftover from the daily processing. If these were not used, they would just be waste product.
As much as 25% of the vehicle is recycled aluminium. Another 17% of the car is recycled steel. All of this is part of their goal to head towards becoming a carbon neutral company. Volvo further ensures and enhances its sustainability by making 80% content in the vehicle recycled material. At the bottom of the vehicle exterior is left unpainted. This is to enhance the recyclability of these features.
Sustainability is important to Volvo as a global organisation playing a major role in our decision to create the interior of the car from either upcycled or recycled materials or to some extent, recycled items as well.
The exterior and interior
The Volvo EX30 is available in four colours with the fifth, Moss Yellow, coming mid-April. There are four interiors from which to select. Drivers can also choose between the EX30 variant’s 19-inch alloys or the 20 inch alloy wheels.
The ambient lighting in the interior can also be changed with five different options all focusing on creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Drivers can create their own perfect ambiance. Along with the panoramic sunroof, the vehicle becomes a beautiful space for you to start each day. Each option of mood lighting comes with sound so each different mode light has a different sound to accompany it.
Positioning of the infotainment screen in the vehicle as well as other functions are all centralised. This means there are no wires running through the vehicle.
From the exterior, there is a fully colour coordinated bumper. The purpose of this is to create a powerful stance for the EV. Volvo aims to counter the perception that EVs do not have powerful stances. Personally, I was not sure about the front of the vehicle and believe it would take some time to get accustomed to. It strongly reminded me of the futuristic vehicles I saw in a movie recently.
A welcoming light sequence greets drivers as they return to their vehicle. The rear lights first lights up followed by the front inclusive with a ‘wink’ from the vehicle even before it unlocks. This is powered by bold ultra-wide band technology. The Volvo has full energy lighting on the vehicle, both in the front and rear. The rear lights are a modernised design from the EX90 and the XC90.
The Volvo windows block up to 80% of the heat radiation. Most of the sunlight does not get through the glass, offering good protection from damaging rays. There is also an anti-glare feature and clear layer on the panoramic sunroof. The sunlight can come through the sunroof but actually bounces off creating a protective layer to protect occupants.
There are a fair number of small spaces or storage solutions. Of note is the innovative retractable cup holders. Volvo says if you need it is there, if you do not, it is not. The under-floor storage in the boot contains the charger. This compartment is operated via the touch screen. There are also the deep door pockets possible because of the soundbar.
Tech
The large infotainment screen is standard on all the variants. It has a bright LCD display. Google Services are used in all global vehicles as standard. Google Maps is updated and enhanced for the EX30. It also displays your range and, in the future, will show the prices for electric charging at certain stations using the Google Maps function.
The large screen displays everything you need to know about the vehicle from aircon control to the range. Volvo has done away with dials and knobs, I believe to increase the space of the interior. I am not convinced of this decision especially if you think of the distracted driving this would result in.
The EX30 has a digital key which, as you approach the vehicle, acknowledges you based on the settings you have selected. It will open the doors for you, enables you to digitally share your key with family members so the days of misplacing your key will be behind you (something that would be very useful to me) and you will still retain master control of the key and the welcoming sequence. As with all Volvo EVs, you do not need to press a button to start instead, just turn away.
Everything you can do on the previous Volvo Cars app, you can do with the EX30. Functionality is enhanced through things like enabling window open notifications to stuff like find my car and you can also install software updates via the app. There is also indirect occupant sensing to ensure that you don’t leave behind any passengers (like children) or pets. It senses that if you open two doors when you get into the car but if you only open one when you leave, the vehicle reminds you that you may have left something in the car.
Read more MasterTests
2 comments