Volvo vehicles are currently under the wing of the Chinese concern Geely, and the small urban crossover Volvo EX30 is also based on its new platform. This time we tested it in its most powerful variant with all-wheel drive, labeled Twin Motor. By the way, within the brand, this is a vehicle with an unprecedented acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds. During the construction of the novelty, great emphasis was placed on reducing the carbon footprint, which is reduced by up to 25% compared to the C40 and XC40 models over a life cycle of 200,000 km. A key step to achieving these results was reducing the proportion of aluminum and steel in the vehicle’s construction, which have a significant impact on emissions during production. In addition, these materials are used from recycled sources. Innovations in the interior design of the vehicle have achieved the integration of multiple components into larger units, reducing the number of parts used.
At first glance, the design of the EX30 is sure to impress. The smooth and vertical front fascia is highlighted by a large Volvo logo with a typical slanted bar in the middle and a pair of segmented LED daytime running lights in the shape of Thor’s hammer, which creates an unmistakable light signature. We tested the vehicle in a distinctive yellow color, which also gives it playfulness and acts like a magnet on passers-by. The design is completed by a black strip connecting the two lights in the lower third and a black lower part passing into an inconspicuous lower grille masking the electric door for cooling air. The front mask looks very clean and effective. The rear part is dominated by large two-part group LED lights, made up of strips, which gradually light up when approaching the car. The entire rear part continues in the style of purity and straight lines. Two-tone painting with a black roof visually reduces the car and gives it a dynamic character.
As for the drive, there are essentially three configurations to choose from. The first two with rear-wheel drive differ in the battery used. The basic version with rear-wheel drive has an LFP battery with a capacity of 51 kWh, of which 49 kWh is used, and offers a range of up to 344 km according to WLTP. The other two versions use an NMC battery with a capacity of 69 kWh, of which 64 kWh are used. The first is the same as the basic rear wheel, both providing 200 kW of power. In this case, the range is up to 475 km according to WLTP. The most powerful is the tested Twin Motor version with all-wheel drive, with an output of 315 kW and a stated range of 450 km.
The vehicle uses a pair of permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, the front one with a power of 115 kW and a torque of 200 Nm and the rear one with a power of 200 kW and a torque of 343 Nm. If necessary, the front electric motor is connected via a clutch so that it does not resist when disconnected and the vehicle can sail. Fast charging is ensured by DC charging with a power of 153 kW, and in the tested Plus equipment, an AC charger with a power of 11 kW is supplied as standard. Thanks to such equipment, the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6, reaching a maximum speed of 180 km/h. It even allows you to tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1600 kg.
After settling into the cabin, you won’t find any difference compared to the rear-wheel drive version. The dashboard is dominated by a large 12.3″ display with high resolution, placed vertically. However, it is the only source of information in the cabin. You will not find any instrument panel or head-up display here. Fortunately, Volvo has kept at least some basic mechanical controls on levers and buttons on the steering wheel. When we tested the rear-wheel drive version shortly after launch, the software showed quite a few unfinished solutions and bugs, but it seems that the developers are listening to feedback from testers and customers, and we have to admit that we are this time they sat in a completely different car from the software side. The control logic has been improved, the options for quick access to some important and some annoying functions have been added, so the car no longer distracts you so much. For example, the acoustic warning of speeding can now be easily deactivated and the warning against inattention it’s not as active now and alerts you only when it actually detects your inattention, not every time you turn your head to the display like before. What hasn’t changed is the maximum speed limit, in case you have lane keeping on, you can’t select a speed higher than 130 km/h on the cruise control. However, this is not a bug, just a feature of this system. If you want to go faster, just turn off lane keeping. The window control is on the front of the center armrest as are the lock/unlock buttons. There are only two buttons for the windows, and if you want to control the rear, you have to press the Rear toggle button. The “key” from the car is also handled unusually, you only have it as a small box about the size of the control, but it has no button or spare key. It is only used for contactless entry into the car. If the battery in it accidentally runs out, the car can be opened by placing the box on the B pillar, where there is an NFC symbol, and by placing it on the steering column you can also start the car. The second option is to use a mobile application. Such a solution is, to say the least, brave, when the 12V battery is discharged, a service intervention is required with powering the car from an external source through a special external terminal.
The navigation automatically plans charging breaks and displays the battery balance at the destination
Compared to the previous car, which we had in the highest Ultra trim, this time the car was in the middle Plus trim, so several premium features were missing, such as 360° camera system, automatic parking assistant, electric control of the front seats, panoramic roof, emergency braking when reversing or a reinforced 22 kW AC charger. Given that the price difference compared to the full equipment is 3150 euros, it is questionable whether the savings are worth it.
However, after the aforementioned software modifications, we can only praise. The multimedia system built on the powerful Snapdragon Cockpit Platforms technology from Qualcomm Automotive works under the Android Automotive OS, so you no longer need to connect Android Auto to your car. This system went through a relatively long development before it was put into practical use, but it also has great potential for the future. Google Maps navigation is built right into the system, but thanks to the integration with the car, it also provides electric intelligence functions, so that when destinations are offered or entered, it will also display the battery balance at the destination. When planning the route, it also plans the necessary charging breaks. For example, YouTube is preinstalled, but you can find a lot more in the app store, including streaming services like Spotify or various planners and maps for electric cars. Thanks to the open system, it can be expected that more interesting applications and functions will be added. The system has sophisticated graphics, works very quickly and is easy to control. Control of vehicle systems is also integrated in it. As part of the simplification, there is an interestingly designed audio system that uses only the soundbar located under the front window and the speakers in the rear doors instead of the standard speakers in the front doors. Due to the good soundproofing of the car, it provides high-quality sound for all passengers. The fault with it is the placement of the silver Harman-Kardon logo in the center of the dashboard, which is very distracting and permanently reflected on the windshield.
What cannot be taken away from the new all-wheel drive is an excellent driving experience. The car is incredibly overpowered and the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds would be the envy of many an athlete. With a low center of gravity and even weight distribution, the vehicle is agile and stable, which is ideal for both urban and inter-city roads. In addition, the chassis is tuned relatively comfortably, so it’s definitely not a “cobbler”. Most of the controls are good after a little getting used to them, and with the new update, the controls have improved significantly. It is a bit disappointing that although Volvo belongs to the premium category, as evidenced by its price tag, the customer does not get matrix lights even in the highest equipment and has to make do with LED lights with automatic switching. Even if they shine well, it’s a shame. This time we also tested the car on the longer route Topoľčany – Prague, where we had the opportunity to check the quality of the drive while driving on the highway. After driving 1250 km, we measured the total consumption at the level of 19 kWh/100 km, which corresponds to a range of more than 330 km. We drove through the districts for 16.1 kWh/100 km, and the clean highway showed a consumption of 22.5 kWh/100 km. Considering the monumental performance of this toy car, these are not bad values at all.
TESTY:
- Consumption in the test (kWh/100 km) 16.1-19-22.5
- Test range (km) 395 – 284
- AC charging power on 22 kW 3f charger (kW) 11
- Max. DC charging power UFC charger 350 kW (kW) 157
- Charging time 10-80% (min) 25
Technical data:
Volvo EX30: battery – total capacity 69 kWh, usable 64 kWh, driven axle AWD, engine power 115 + 200 kW, torque 200 + 343 Nm, total 315 kW and 543 Nm, connector type for DC charging CCS, max. DC charging power 153 kW, AC charger power 11 kW, AC charging type (number of phases) 3, max. speed 180 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h 3.6 s, WLTP range 450 km
PROS, CONS:
+ High performance, driving characteristics, built-in Android automotive, control, route planning with charging
– Key solution without mechanical backup
- Model price from (with VAT): 49 350 EUR
- Tested vehicle (with VAT): 49 350 EUR
Source: www.nextech.sk
