Published on September 16th, 2024 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0Volvo New Infotainment System Shared Between Electric And PHEV Models
New-generation user experience comes to new XC90 flagship SUV and millions of other Volvo cars worldwide
Engineers at Volvo Cars have delivered a brand new cabin experience in their all-electric EX90 and EX30 models and this will be shared with their current running PHEV models as well.
Volvo will also deliver our latest user experience to millions of Volvo drivers around the world with a simple over-the-air software update. If you currently drive a Volvo car with Google built-in, you will also get an upgraded layout and it is free of charge.
During 2025, around 2.5 million customers around the globe will receive an upgrade on their Volvo cars built as early as 2020.
They plan to gradually roll out this upgrade during the year and believe this is one of the most comprehensive infotainment updates by any car maker to date. This roll-out is in line with their strategy to make their cars better over time with regular over-the-air software updates.
“Our new-generation user experience will deliver a significant improvement in customer experience and is an important step in our journey to delivery human-centric technology solutions to our customers,” says Erik Severinson, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Volvo Cars. “We’ll continuously and seamlessly adapt the user experience to match the needs of our customers through new and enhanced features that are delivered through over-the-air updates, to improve your car and your experience over time.”
To further enhance the experience inside the new XC90, they installed a larger, 11.2-inch, free-standing central screen. They have also increased the pixel density by 21 percent, resulting in an even crisper display.
But the content on the screen represents the biggest change. They will now present the most common apps and controls, such as maps, media and phone on the home screen which is the same setup as their latest electric cars.
That means it takes fewer taps on the screen to get to the features you most often use. For example, if you’re following navigation directions and want to change the music, you no longer have to leave Google Maps to access the media feature. It’s there for you already.
Then there is the contextual bar, which changes what you see according to the situation and displays your most recently used apps. And if you are driving at low speeds, the icon for outside cameras appears so you can get help manoeuvring in tight spaces.
If you are a current Volvo plug-in hybrid driver, they are making it easier for you to get the most out of your electric powertrain. Via “Drive Modes” on the home screen you can easily access “Pure” mode alongside other options. If you have just arrived in a town centre and want to drive on electric power only, it is now just a tap away to save fuel.
Volvo’s new-generation user experience can be adapted and scaled to fit different screen shapes and sizes. That way, Volvo can bring the latest Volvo Cars infotainment experience to you, no matter if you drive a new XC90, an EX90, or a three-year-old XC40, and make it easier for you to focus on what truly matters, which is the road ahead.