AN ELECTRIC replacement for a popular Volvo model has been confirmed for 2024 after details were “leaked by the company’s board”.
Production of the new flagship electric saloon is set to take place at a factory owned and operated by Volvo’s parent company Geely in China.
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Photographs and specifications leaked by the company’s board revealed proceedings would begin in May 2024.
The new model is known internally at the Swedish car maker under the codename V551.
However, it’s expected to take the ES90 name into showrooms in 2025.
A photograph published to Volvo’s employee intranet showed members of the production team in Zhejiang huddled around signs that read “Volvo Cars V551 First VP Car Celebration” and “Confidential Top Secret”.
The reference to VP stands for “Verification Prototype”.
But with the car completely obscured from view, not much is known about it’s appearance ahead of an expected unveiling in the coming months.
The luxury four-door is, however, expected to be based on Volvo’s SPA2 platform – the same structure that underpins the new EX90 SUV and its Polestar 4 sibling.
The model accommodates electric drivetrains operating at either 400 or 800 volts.
Specifications leaked by Volvo suggest the ES90 will be sold with the choice of both single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor four-wheel drive.
It is also said to use a 111 kWh battery (107 kWh usable) delivering 600km (373 miles) of range in combination with the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive drivetrain.
According to Volvo, the ES90 measures 4,999mm in length, 1,547mm in height and 1,945mm in width.
In comparison to the BMW i5, this makes it 61mm shorter, 32mm higher and 45mm wider.
The ES90 also receives a wheelbase that is 105mm longer than its German rival at 3,100mm.
Development of the new flagship electric saloon is understood to have been partly carried out in combination with Geely’s new Galaxy E8 saloon and Zeekr 7 saloon .
The Zeekr 7 saloon boasts up to 637bhp and a range of 478 miles on the Chinese CLTC test cycle in range-topping dual-motor four-wheel drive specification.
Early speculation has already suggested the ES90 could share its platform with the recently unveiled Polestar 5, according to Autocar.
However, it is understood the new bonded aluminium structure is considered too expensive for the price point and expected production volumes of the new Volvo saloon.
With Volvo having phased out all estate and saloon models in the UK market, it remains unclear if the brand will bring its new electric model here.
The ES90 will be Volvo’s fourth bespoke electric car, joining the EX30 crossover, EX90 SUV and EM90 MPV.
While an electric successor to the XC60 is due in 2025, plans are yet to be revealed for an electric replacement for the S60 and V60.
Last month, Volvo unveiled a new six-seater electric car as its first foray into the world of MPVs.
The surprise new EV has been dubbed a “living room on wheels” after including home theatre and noise cancelling tech.
And Volvo’s new “baby” electric SUV recently won a gong for being the best electric car on sale.
The 2023 award, given out by Electrifying.com, saw the pint-sized Swede beat out Rolls Royce’s first electric car, the Spectre.
