THE last time I was at Abbey Road Studios I met Adele, Robbie Williams and Lady Gaga.
Honestly did.
We squeezed into a Nissan Micra fitted with headrest speakers for a bit of Carpool Karaoke.
The video’s on YouTube somewhere.
I was reminded of this driving Volvo’s new electric saloon.
The cabin is so extraordinarily quiet it’s like someone’s put the outside world on mute.
Combine that with a 25-speaker, 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos and an Abbey Road Studios mode and you’d think your favourite artist was performing right beside you.
Bowers & Wilkins has been working with Abbey Road for more than 40 years. So this isn’t a gimmick.
You can actually shape the sound experience with a studio control room slider that’s a lot more sophisticated and immersive than just dialling up the treble or bass.
Absolutely top notch.
Like the rest of this car, to be fair.
Perhaps this is a good place to explain its name, ES90. E for electric, S for saloon and 90 for Volvo’s biggest series of cars.
The big-daddy EX90 SUV is already on the road. ES90 is more stylish, sits lower to the road and has rapid 800v charging tech to replenish the battery in just 22 minutes.
We tried the single-motor rear-wheel drive ES90 with 333hp and a 404-mile battery by the official WLTP test. Call it 320 miles in the real world.
Twin-motor all-wheel drive versions follow later, including a Performance version with a stupidly fast 680hp.
That’s supercar territory. Just remember to wear a cagoule when the kids recycle their Cheerios on the way to school.
Stick to the cheaper standard motor and you’re golden.
The upside of having such a big slab of Volvo is that rear passengers get limo-like leg room, as well as heated and cooled reclining seats, and a shadeable glass roof
Progress is smooth and easy. Air suspension helps. The steering is nicely weighted. Acceleration and braking regen are nicely calibrated. The Google-powered touchscreen works like your phone. All things that please.
Also, as per Volvo rules, it is loaded with every safety system ever invented, including a cutting-edge LiDAR sensor embedded in the roofline.
Not to be confused with a London taxi light. My only complaint is the titchy rear windscreen. But at least it’s got one. Unlike a Polestar 4.
Actually, one more thing. This car is five metres long and could do with four-wheel steering to tighten the turning circle in town.
The upside of having such a big slab of Volvo is that rear passengers get limo-like leg room, as well as heated and cooled reclining seats, and a shadeable glass roof. They’re the best seats in the house.
Crank up the stereo and it’s a lovely way to travel. It really is.
