Yesterday, we introduced you the primary photographs of the Volvo EX30 formally in Malaysia, however what we didn’t let you know is that we’ve additionally been driving the automotive at present. Our man Gerard Lye is at present placing Gothenburg’s smallest electrical car – nonetheless in its promotional camouflage – by its paces and has despatched over a full gallery of the automotive on your perusal.
Together with the photographs is affirmation that the EX30 shall be supplied in range-topping Twin Motor Efficiency guise, producing a stout 428 PS (315 kW) and 543 Nm of torque. This allows the pint-sized SUV to dash from zero to 100 km/h in simply 3.6 seconds on its strategy to an electronically-limited high velocity of 180 km/h.
If that each one sounds acquainted, that’s as a result of the EX30 use the identical motors (and the identical Sustainable Expertise Structure, or SEA) because the sensible #1 Brabus. Each motors are juiced by a 69 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery that delivers a variety of 450 km, with assist for as much as 175 kW of DC quick charging topping up the pack from 10 to 80% cost in 26.5 minutes.
The inclusion of the Twin Motor Efficiency mannequin is stunning, provided that Indonesia – which will get its EX30 from Malaysia (sure, the automotive is domestically assembled) solely in rear-wheel-drive kind. This shares the motor with the #1 Professional and Premium, churning out 272 PS (200 kW) and 343 Nm.
A complete of two RWD variants are supplied within the archipelago – base Plus Single Motor utilises a 51 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) for a variety of 337 km, whereas the Extremely Single Motor Prolonged Vary beneficial properties the 66 kWh NMC pack and may journey as much as 474 km on a single cost. On condition that Malaysia already produces these fashions, it’s potential that they are going to be supplied right here sooner or later, however nothing has been firmed up but.
Besides, that’s, this AWD automotive, which seems to be in top-spec Extremely specification due to the seen inclusion of a panoramic glass roof (mounted, with no powered sunshade), 360-degree digicam system and power-adjustable entrance seats with driver’s aspect reminiscence and lumbar adjustment. This implies it also needs to assist 22 kW of AC charging (as an alternative of the standard 11 kW), halving the total cost time from 8 hours to simply 4.
Different bits of ordinary equipment as a part of the Extremely trim embody Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, an Onyx Black Metallic distinction roof, 19-inch two-tone aero-optimised alloy wheels, keyless entry and begin, dual-zone local weather management, cloth and Nordico fake leather-based upholstery (proven right here in Indigo), a nine-speaker, 1,050-watt Harman Kardon sound system, Park Pilot Help and a hands-free powered tailgate. Count on a full suite of driver assists as nicely, corresponding to Pilot Help Stage 2 semi-autonomous driving performance.
Being a part of the “30” sequence – solely beforehand used on the C30 three-door hatchback – the EX30 is the smallest Volvo in a while. Measuring 4,223 mm lengthy, 1,837 mm broad and simply 1,555 mm tall, it’s 202 mm shorter, 26 mm narrower and 97 mm decrease than the XC40, whereas its 2,650 mm wheelbase is 52 mm shorter. To offer you a way of perspective, the EX30 is 220 mm shorter than the also-electric new MINI Countryman SE and simply 33 mm longer than the completely diminutive Lexus LBX.
Nonetheless, the EX30 has misplaced none of Volvo’s usually Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic, punctuated by the aforementioned Thor’s Hammer headlights and distinctive break up taillights.
That minimalism might have been taken too far on the within, nonetheless, the place the automotive dispenses with an instrument cluster of any variety (not even a head-up show, as per the Countryman). You additionally get simply two bodily centrally-mounted window switches on the entrance, regardless of having 4 openable aspect home windows; you’ll need to press the “rear” button to regulate these on the again.
Every little thing else – together with the velocity readout, local weather controls and even the aspect mirror adjustment – has been consolidated right into a single 12.3-inch portrait touchscreen, which as common incorporates Google companies corresponding to Google Maps, the Google Assistant and the Play Retailer for apps, in addition to wi-fi Apple CarPlay for the primary time.
Volvo has made a concerted effort to make use of recycled supplies contained in the EX30 – the blue decor on this automotive is constituted of used denim fibres, whereas the Nordico fake leather-based utilises PET from discarded water bottles. The corporate has additionally doubled down on practicality to make up for the extraordinarily pared-back cabin, including a slide-out twin cupholder tray and a big central console tray with hidden storage.
Loads of Easter eggs too – the central rear storage tray slides out to disclose a moose sample on the perimeters (seems acquainted?), whereas the tailgate incorporates a useful measurement information displaying what the 318 litre boot will match. That is expandable to 904 litres with the rear seats folded, and there’s additionally a seven-litre entrance boot.
The EX30 is about to be launched on September 25, adopted by a buyer check drive occasion at KL Base in Sungai Besi from September 26 to 29. To drum up curiosity for the automotive, Volvo Automotive Malaysia (VCM) is holding an Instagram contest, permitting customers to put up photographs of the camo automobiles to be among the many 30 to win RM100 in vouchers for chosen cafés.
What about pricing? After all, no info has been offered as but, however given its smaller measurement we are able to count on the AWD mannequin to be priced comfortably under the RM278,888 XC40 Recharge Final. Watch our man Hafriz Shah’s evaluation of the EX30 from Sweden under.
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