The smallest Volvo SUV to roll off the production line has been spied in China, ahead of its global launch due later this year.
The 2023 Volvo EX30 electric SUV – the brand’s smallest model – has been spied testing in China, ahead of its unveiling and expected Australian launch later this year.
Photos posted to Chinese social media website Weibo (via Cochespias) show what’s believed to be a prototype EX30 parked on a roadside in China, with thick exterior camouflage, and moderate disguise inside.
While no Volvo badges are visible, it’s recognisable as the EX30 through its compact proportions, distinctive C-shaped tail-lights, and a rising window line similar to what was seen in a teaser photo late last year.
The interior is reminiscent of the larger Volvo EX90 seven-seat electric SUV, with similar seats with Volvo’s latest wool blend upholstery, a large freestanding portrait touchscreen, Volvo-esque air vents, and a column-mounted gear selector.
But to contribute to a lower price, the seat design isn’t as complex, and the centre screen is smaller.
The centre console is also unique – with an open design similar to some new Audi and Hyundai cars, and a central touch control panel for the door locks and windows. A centre airbag between the front seats is also visible.
Curiously – and likely to cut cost or reduce complexity – there are only two window switches, with a ‘Rear’ button that swaps the control panel so it activates the rear windows, not the front.
The EX30 – which may arrive in Australian showrooms before the end of this year – is expected to be underpinned by parent company Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) for electric vehicles.
One model on the platform, the Chinese-market Zeekr 001, offers up to 700km of driving range (excluding a recent 1000km limited edition) and up to 400kW – but the smaller Volvo is unlikely to match these numbers, as it will be cheaper and positioned as an entry-level car.
The EX30 – expected to be built in China – may debut lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology for the Volvo brand.
LFP batteries built by Volvo’s Chinese battery supplier CATL – as used in the entry-level Chinese-built Tesla Model 3 – were found to be the cheapest of any electric vehicle in a UBS bank study, at $US131 ($AU195) per kilowatt-hour.
Volvo CEO Jim Rowan recently told media the company is aiming to achieve price parity between petrol and electric cars by 2025 or 2026, by lowering battery prices to less than below $US100 ($AU149) per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The 2023 Volvo EX30 is expected to be revealed in the coming months, ahead of an Australian launch due before the end of this year. Volvo in Australia plans to go electric-only from 2026.
“We were due to launch the EX90 and [EX30] side-by-side, but now we will launch the [EX30] next year,” Volvo Car Australia managing director Stephen Connor told Drive in September.
“Every brand-new model that we make from now on is pure electric only. There is no going back for us.”
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