650 km of autonomy for €50,000: Volvo directly attacks king Tesla Model Y with this future SUV

Volvo will soon expand its range with the EX50, an intermediate SUV located between the next EX40 and the latest EX60. Its price should start around €50,000 to compete worthily with the Tesla Model Y. There will be no shortage of arguments to seduce.

Volvo is continuing to develop its electric range to obtain as quickly as possible a portfolio that is as complete as it is relevant. 2027 will see the arrival of an entirely new model which will slot between the EX40 and the EX60. The future EX50 will take on the Tesla Model Y with its XXL autonomy and ultra-fast charging. Its price should start around €50,000. A future threat in sight?

In any case, this is not a surprise threat because the EX50 was initially supposed to replace the aging XC40 and EX40 with a single electric model. But that was at the time when Volvo wanted to give up on thermal technology. Things have changed since then, with demand still uncertain for battery models. Europe's recent turnaround on the 2035 deadline is further proof of this.

Reason why the XC40/EX40 duo will survive to compete with the more compact BMW iX1, Mercedes GLA and Audi Q4 e-tron. The EX50 will play the role of a global electric model with an ideal size. In its recent conference on third quarter financial results, the manufacturer half-heartedly confirmed the arrival of this vehicle: 2027 will see “a new model for Europe and two models specific to the Chinese market”.

Longer than the 4.44 meters of the EX40, the EX50 should measure 4.60 or 4.70 meters, which will allow it to better target the 4.79 meters of the Tesla Model Y. The EX60 stretching over 4.80 meters is closer to the American, certainly, but it completely surpasses it in terms of price! This is where the EX50 will have its card to play. It will also rely on advanced technology, most likely based on the SPA3 platform used by the EX60.

The EX50 will thus be able to take over the batteries from its big brother. We will then have the choice between an 80 or 91 kWh pack offering respectively 600 and 650 km of autonomy. The 112 kWh accumulator giving 810 km on the EX60 would be promising to defeat the competition, but it could be too bulky for the innards of the future EX50. The maximum range of action will in all cases remain greater than that of the Model Y.

In terms of fast charging, the Swede will not be idle with its 800 V platform. The power of 400 kW in DC direct current of the EX60 will thus be there for a 10 to 80% battery in around 16 minutes. The Model Y is still far behind. On the other hand, he will keep control on the price side. Unless Volvo makes an effort? Probably produced in Slovakia, the Swedish could be eligible for state aid if its price falls below €47,000. Another challenge…

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Machine-translated from French