Polestar has come a long way from its origins as Volvo’s performance division, evolving into a standalone electric vehicle manufacturer. But with this shift in direction, it raises the inevitable question: Will future Volvo models get high-performance variants like BMW’s M division or Mercedes’ AMG lineup? Well, independent designer Jordan Rubinstein-Towler has ventured into this very idea with his creation, the 240R, which is a high-performance, retro-futuristic take on his own Volvo 240 concept.

A Nod to the Past with a Twist

In keeping with the spirit of the original design study, the Volvo 240R blends the unmistakable boxy shape of the old 200 Series with modern styling. The R version introduces a sporty bodykit—think deeper bumpers, side skirts, a subtle diffuser, and a ducktail spoiler. It’s like the 240 got a solid workout, but still managed to keep its classic personality.

More: Modern Volvo 240 Design Study Proves Boxy Can Be Sexy Again

The renders speak for themselves. Rubinstein-Towler’s design work strikes a perfect balance with black and body-colored accents on the revamped parts, delivering that classic yet contemporary look. To really emphasize the performance angle, the car rolls on new black five-spoke alloy wheels, an homage to Volvo’s sporty heritage.

In one of the renderings, the sedan poses next to a Volvo 240 racer that enjoyed great success in touring car championships back in the ’80s. Likewise, the wagon is joined by the Volvo 850 R from the mid-90s.

Modern Interior, Retro Vibes

But the 240R isn’t just about looking fast on the outside—Rubinstein-Towler has also done some work on the interior. Highlights include the blue upholstery that brings a splash of color to the retro-inspired bucket seats, along with a fresh new steering wheel design. The digital cockpit, while updated, keeps things minimalist with a few smaller displays, paired with physical controls to preserve that tactile feel on the center console.

Illustrations Jordan Rubinstein-Towler

Power to Match the Looks?

Now, if this car ever made it to production, what’s going to power this modern interpretation of the classic ‘brick’? Since the modern reimagining of the Volvo 240 is an electric vehicle, the (fictional) 240R would also be expected to run on a zero-emission powertrain.

A quick peek into the Geely parts bin—Volvo’s parent company—shows that a high-performance electric car is well within reach. Take the Twin Motor Performance version of the new Volvo ES90, for instance; it produces a combined 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW). That’s plenty of power for both a high-performance sedan and wagon.

Speaking of the ES90, the electric liftback sedan recently debuted as a direct rival to the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE. From Rubinstein-Towler’s renderings, it looks like his 240R proposal could slot in just below that model, potentially filling the gap left by the soon-to-be-discontinued S60/V60.

More: Volvo Doesn’t Need Wagons Anymore, Says SUVs Are The Future

Such an offering would compete against the upcoming BMW Neue Klasse i3 and the electric Mercedes C-Class. BMW M has already teased a high-performance version of the electric sedan, while Mercedes is expected to release an AMG version sooner or later.

Hopefully, Volvo’s design team is paying attention to the innovative concepts emerging from independent designers. Perhaps they’ll find some inspiration for future models – assuming they’re not too busy figuring out how to make their SUVs even more ubiquitous.

Illustrations Jordan Rubinstein-Towler

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In the ever-evolving world of advertising, where companies are constantly trying to outdo each other with the next big thing, Volvo has thrown a curveball in Saudi Arabia for a couple of reasons. First, it doesn’t actually feature a Volvo—or a car of any kind. Before anyone jumps to conclusions and assumes this is a rehash of what Jaguar recently did, hear this: the entire ad is a creation of artificial intelligence. It might even offer a glimpse into what we can expect from future brand campaigns.

Titled “Come Back Stronger,” the video ad is a surreal mix of vague, almost abstract clips. There are close-up shots of people, individuals running in the desert, and other scenes that seem completely unrelated to anything Volvo specifically does. What does tie it all together is the voiceover, which, to be fair, sounds like a car commercial—even if the visuals don’t match.

Read: Even Jaguar’s Designers Weren’t Convinced By Controversial Rebranding, Leaked Letter Claims

Here’s the script:

“They say some dreams are too ambitious but we’ve never believed in limits. Challenges didn’t hold us back, they pushed us forward. Every obstacle, every doubt, shaped us into something stronger because progress isn’t about the past, it’s about what’s possible. And what’s possible is everything. This isn’t just a return, it’s a comeback, and together, we vow to always come back stronger.”

So, what does all that mean when it comes to practical application? Volvo is hoping to sell more cars in Saudi Arabia with its new electrified lineup. That’s the long and the short of the entire ad campaign. Once again, Volvo greenlit this with zero cars in the video.

It’s unclear whether Volvo intentionally chose to leave cars out or if it simply had too much trouble getting the AI to generate a truly accurate Volvo model. According to Adweek, Osama Saddiq, the founder of Lion—the agency behind the ad—said, “This was a tough decision… to tell a deeply human story through the voices of Saudi locals… showing the car would have distracted from the narrative.”

Regardless of intention or execution, it’s clear that AI could soon become a powerful tool in the automotive world. Even Mercedes’ head of design has warned that AI might make designers obsolete within the next decade.

Behind-the-scenes storyboards from Lion show just how the company did the work. In addition, it said that by using AI it cut production time from months down to weeks. For many brands, that alone could be enough of an incentive to start experimenting with AI more frequently in the near future.

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After a series of high-profile leaks, Volvo finally unveiled the ES90 mid-size sedan earlier today. However, most people probably didn’t watch the reveal video that was livestreamed from Stockholm, Sweden.

If they had, they would have found a short teaser for the upcoming EX60, which will serve as the electric equivalent of the popular gas-powered XC60. It appears roughly 25 minutes into the clip as a woman opens a door to reveal a partially covered clay model. She quickly closes the door, but not before revealing an EX90-like rear end.

More: Volvo To Introduce 5 Models In 2025, EX60 Coming In 2026

While there isn’t much to see, the electric luxury crossover has angular upper taillights that reside on either side of the rear window. At the base of the window, they transition to the outside edges of the car.

Besides the taillights, we can see shapely rear haunches and a recessed liftgate. They’re joined by a black rear bumper that has a chrome horizontal element.

Volvo didn’t say anything about the crossover, but it was briefly mentioned during their 2024 financial presentation. In particular, the company noted the first EX60 test vehicle has been built and driven. They added the model will ride on the new SPA3 platform, which will “launch on target with significant reduction on cost.”

The company went on to suggest the SPA3 platform will debut shortly and be a scalable architecture that will eventually underpin every single Volvo. While we can expect to learn more in the coming months, the EX60 isn’t expected to be launched until next year.

Given that the crossover will ride on an all-new platform, it’s too early to talk about specifications. However, since it’s an upgraded version of the SPA2 platform, the EX60 might share some components with the EX90 and ES90.

Volvo is best known for its SUVs these days, but this week it revealed the ES90, showing that its electric tech can works just as well, and look even more stylish, in a traditional midsize sedan.

Designed to take on the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE among other options, the 5m-long (196.9 inches) ES90 arguably looks far better than both, with a strong chin, clean surfaces and a sporty fastback shape. Though it presents as a sedan, it has a practical liftback – but comes up short on trunk space next to the BMW.

Related: Volvo Still Not Sure If It Should Build An Electric Estate

Where it shouldn’t come up short is in interior room, particularly for those in the back. The 3.1 mm (122.1 inches) wheelbase is more than 100 mm (4 inches) longer than the BMW’s, and the Volvo also wins the range war.

While the leggiest i5 can only return 356 miles (573 km) on a full charge of its 81 kWh battery, the rangiest ES90’s 102 kWh power pack can take it 435 miles (700 km) in one go. Dual-motor versions get the larger battery and single-motor models make do with a smaller 88 kWh unit that can still deliver 404 miles (650 km) before needing a top-up.

Charging? No Problem

Unlike the EX90 SUV, the ES90 has 800-volt electrics, can handle 350 kW inputs (the i5 only takes 250 kW) and add 186 miles (300 km) of range in 10 minutes. A small frunk provides space for cable storage, again something the i5 doesn’t offer.

The lineup start with the 328 hp (333 PS / 245 kW) Single Motor Extended Range, which costs £69,650 in the UK and can reach 62 mph (100 kmh) in 6.9 seconds. A 443 hp (449 PS / 330 kW) Twin Motor drops the 62 time to 5.5 seconds for £83,250, but for only £4,600 more the the flagship Twin Motor Performance provides 671 hp (680 PS / 500 kW) and does the run in 4.0 seconds flat. All three are limited to 112 mph (180 kmh).

A High-Tech Cabin

Inside, the ES90 features a 9.0-inch digital instrument tablet, a large 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen with built-in Google tech and light-colored Scandi decor and materials to maximize the sense of space. The sedans come equipped with Lidar for autonomous semi-driving prominently mounted above the windshield, but it won’t be functional until later in the model’s life.

Update 3/3: It looks like we won’t have to wait until Wednesday for our first glimpse of the new Volvo ES90, as an apparent official photo has already surfaced online. The image aligns with Volvo’s recent teasers, revealing a chunky and rather tall profile design, complemented by the characteristic front end seen in Volvo’s latest EVs. The original article continues below.

Photo Volvo via wilcoblock/Instagran

Volvo is gearing up for the launch of the all-new fully electric ES90 that will take place on March 5. The software-defined sedan will be the most powerful Volvo ever in terms of core computing capacity, and promises to offer a driving range of over 700 km (435 miles). Meanwhile, the company is also updating the S90 sedan, ensuring an ICE option remains available alongside the new EV.

Following the original teaser from last year, Volvo has shared additional photos of the ES90, revealing an unconventional split taillight arrangement at the back. Despite the classic three-box sedan silhouette, the EV features additional LEDs on the sides of the rear window, complementing the main taillights in the traditional position.

More: Volvo To Introduce 5 Models In 2025, EX60 Coming In 2026

Earlier teasers have showcased the ES90’s sleek roofline, familiar greenhouse, flush door handles, and a roof-mounted LiDar. The front end is expected to resemble the EX90, featuring Volvo’s signature “Thor’s hammer” LED headlights.

Longer Range And Faster Charging

Volvo has confirmed that the ES90 will be fitted with an 800-volt system, giving it the longest range and the fastest charging times among its EV lineup.

Besides offering an estimated WLTP range of over 700 km (435 miles), the battery pack of the ES90 will be compatible with 350 kW charging and feature new battery management software. As a result, it will be able to gain 300 km (186 miles) of range in just 10 minutes of charging, while a 10-80% charge will be completed in 20 minutes.

Volvo also mentioned that the electric motors will be lighter, without getting into details about the combined power output.

In terms of sustainability, the ES90 will use recycled and natural materials in its production. Furthermore, the company will be transparent about the source of the rare metals used in the battery pack, and its carbon footprint.

Advanced Tech Under the Hood

The ES90 is built on the SPA2 architecture that’s already used by the EX90, although the new SPA3 platform will debut with the EX60 in 2026. The electric sedan is set to be the first Volvo to feature a dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin setup, giving it the highest core computing capacity in the brand’s lineup. This configuration will also be introduced in the EX90, with existing customers receiving a complimentary upgrade.

The system supports AI-based active safety features and sensors, contributing to Volvo’s “Safe Space Technology“. In terms of sensor hardware, the ES90 will be equipped with one LiDar, five radars, eight cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors, and an “advanced driver understanding system inside the car”.

As with the mechanically-related SUV, the electric sedan will feature the Volvo Cars Superset tech stack – including hardware and software modules and systems – that will eventually be applied in the automaker’s entire EV lineup. Software updates will allow the ES90 to “continuously evolve and improve over time” in the areas of safety, connectivity, and performance.

The Volvo S90 Is Getting A Facelift

Alongside the ES90, Volvo is developing a heavily updated version of the ICE-powered sedan, one of five new products planned for 2025. Leaked photos reveal a complete redesign of the front and rear ends, giving the classic model a fresh, modern appearance. Originally launched in 2016 with a minor update in 2020, the S90’s facelift extends its lifecycle as an alternative to Volvo’s growing electric lineup.

It remains unclear whether the V90 estate will also receive the new redesign. Last month, Volvo announced plans to introduce “meaningful upgrades” for two of its existing models in 2025, one of which is the recently facelifted XC60.

More: 2026 Volvo XC60 Gets Another Refresh After 9 Years On The Market

By extending the lifecycle of its older ICE-powered models, Volvo is providing alternative options alongside its growing electric lineup, especially after stepping back from its goal of becoming an EV-only brand by 2030. This approach was also used with the recently facelifted XC90 flagship SUV, which remains available alongside the fully electric EX90.

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