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Volvo begins rolling out over-the-air software updates in the U.S.

Volvo announced that two of its models are now compatible with over-the-air software updates. The electric XC40 Recharge and three versions of the XC60 are eligible to receive a variety of wireless changes including driving range improvements and small bug fixes. The Swedish firm published details about its over-the-air software updating system shortly after going public. It's compatible with the new Android-based infotainment system found in many of its cars, including the C40 Recharge unveiled in 2021, and it works a lot like the similar technology that your smartphone features in the sense that the software updates itself; there's no need to stop by a dealer or plug in a USB drive. When an update is ready, a message appears on the dashboard-mounted touchscreen asking motorists if they want to download it. Owners of compatible cars in the United States received their first over-the-air software update last week. Labeled version 1.7, it notably added SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility. Volvo also noted that the XC40 Recharge received additional driving range during the update. Looking ahead, Volvo plans to wirelessly add new features and enhancements to the infotainment system. Only some 2021 and 2022 models can receive over-the-air updates. As of writing, the list of compatible cars is limited to the aforementioned XC40 Recharge, the XC60, the XC60 Recharge, and the XC60 Polestar Engineered. It's reasonable to assume that the feature will spread across the range in the coming years as new models are launched. Sister company Polestar also offers over-the-air updates on the 2. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Volvo and Polestar Range Assistant app promises more range for EVs

Volvo and Polestar just released a new app for their EVs that promises to help optimize driving range. It’s called “Range Assistant,” and itÂ’s coming as an over-the-air update to the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2. The Volvo C40 Recharge will have it built into the car from the factory. ItÂ’s exclusive to EVs and Volvo/Polestar products running the Android Automotive infotainment system. Volvo says the app has a range-optimizer functionality that automatically adjusts the climate control to improve range. ItÂ’ll also coach drivers with driving style and speed recommendations to increase range on longer trips. The app also comes with passive forms of range improvements. Volvo claims itÂ’ll help better manage battery and regeneration performance. Plus, it has a “smarter timer to precondition the batteries.” For example, when you input a charging destination into Google Maps, the car will automatically precondition the batteries to be ready for maximum charging speed by the time you arrive. ThereÂ’s more data for the driver to scan, too, as Volvo provides greater detail on the available range and real-time energy consumption. Volvo doesnÂ’t put a number or percentage on the range increase that drivers may experience with this new app, but does claim that range will go up because of it. In addition to the new app, Volvo says this latest OTA update includes “further improvements on the safety systems, new information about cold climate impact on battery range and various bug fixes.”  The app is scheduled to be rolled out to the applicable vehicles by the end of October. Its functionality will come baked into the complimentary four-year Volvo Care Package that all Volvo EVs automatically get. Of course, after those four years, youÂ’ll be on the hook for the data connection cost and package fee. Note that the Range Assistant appears to be tied up into this package, and while it wonÂ’t incur a separate fee, youÂ’ll need it and the data connection to take advantage of it after so many years. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Volvo EX90 will be the XC90's all-electric successor

Clarification: Volvo reached out to clarify that the EX90 will be "our new flagship sold alongside XC90 for the foreseeable future" — more of a "successor" than a "replacement." The story has been updated to clarify.     Volvo has announced what we've long suspected. The XC90's successor as the Volvo flagship will be an all-electric crossover. Its name, as officially stated by Volvo, will be EX90, rather than the previously thought EXC90 or even more evocative Embla, and it will be sold alongside the XC90 for a time The primary philosophy of the new flagship, the company says, will be that old Volvo calling card: safety. The automaker promised in a statement that "standard safety in the EX90 will be beyond that of any Volvo before it." They are also reiterating that they're working to be a 100% crash-less and 100% carbon-neutral company. Volvo says the EX90 will cruise down the road with an "invisible shield" of cameras, radar and lidar sensors. They will work in unison to create a "360-degree real-time view of the world," a description that sounds like Tesla's not-quite FSD visualizations that show 3D representations of lanes and traffic movements on the center screen. Volvo says over time the software can reduce serious injury and fatal accidents by 20% and overall crash avoidance by 9%. The software is made to share data from the entire fleet similarly equipped Volvos, learning as it goes.  Inside, the car will monitor driver alertness with algorithms that track eye gaze and focus. Volvo claims the programming is "beyond what has been possible in a Volvo car to date." If the system detects distraction it will respond with increasing levels of assertiveness, starting with "softly nudging". However if the driver falls completely unconscious it's designed to safely pull over and call for help, in what sounds similar to Mazda's Co-Pilot feature or VW's Emergency Assist 2.0. Volvo has not revealed specs or the actual design of the EX90. We suspect it will be based on last year's Volvo Concept Recharge, though it could also look like the unearthed patent images from last month. The Volvo EX90 will be revealed in full on November 9.