06/04/2023 10:30
Updated 06/04/2023 10:30
Volvo is betting heavily on the new EX30. The expectations of the Swedish brand with the smallest electric car in its range are rising manifold. Ahead of its presentation (scheduled for 7 June), official information from the brand has been followed by occasional ‘suspected’ leaks regarding its safety systems, its minimal carbon footprint and its exterior. The date is getting closer and the brand continues with its informative strategy, this time due to the interiors.
It seems that Volvo wanted to reduce the EX30’s interior to the same proportion as the exterior, so it has chosen a driving position based on minimalism, a characteristic which, on the other hand, is also very Swedish. In the image and likeness of the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y, the small electric SUV will be distinguished by a cluster of indicators that are usually located behind the steering wheel and which serve to inform the driver about the most important data.
As Tesla did in its time, all communication between the car and the driver will be done through the central screen of the dashboard, although in Volvo’s case it is located in a vertical position. Diagonal size, aspect ratio and resolution are not yet known. On the other hand, the manufacturer has not mentioned the possibility of including head up display,
According to the manufacturer, disposal of information Will be as follows: speed, charge level and autonomy will be arranged in the upper part, closest to the driver’s line of sight. Navigation, multimedia system and the rest of the controls go to the bottom layer. Finally, the contextual bar below it will give the driver access to the rest of the vehicle’s functions.
As if this arrangement wasn’t simple enough, the screen will offer an option to go into a “quiet view” mode that removes all but the minimum of information. In fact, it is a function that will help reduce glare and can cause driver fatigue and reflections when traveling at night. So, this is not a new feature, as it is already implemented by other cars (electric and non-electric) in the market.
Like other models from the brand, the operating system running behind this big screen is based on Google’s Android Automotive. That doesn’t mean Volvo claims it will be its first car to offer a wireless Apple CarPlay system for connecting wirelessly to an iPhone and using the mobile for navigation and multimedia.
Volvo ‘justifies’ its minimalism
The minimalism chosen by Volvo for the EX30’s driving position has nothing to do with the fact that it will be the cheapest car in its offering. The Swedish manufacturer ensures that the low screens allow for a sense of spaciousness, which is helped by the possibility to choose between four different interior finishes based on recycled materials.
Another innovative feature, and also included in the new Ford Explorer, is a sound bar from the Harman Kardon audio system, which spans the entire width of the area below the windshield. It includes multiple speakers inside, which eliminates the need to place them in doors, freeing up more space for storage.
In addition to the doors, a sliding center console with a lower tunnel is also included which will allow space for smaller items. For their part, rear seat passengers will also have access to a sliding storage box located inside the console.
