H! Fashion meets the game-changing new Volvo EX60

There was a distinct electricity in the air in Stockholm last month, and not just because Volvo Cars was introducing a new electric vehicle. From the moment guests arrived, it was obvious this was no ordinary car launch. With global innovators, creatives, tastemakers and automotive leaders all under one roof, the vibe felt far closer to a tech conference crossed with fashion week than anything traditionally “motoring”.

Over three immersive days of talks, workshops and carefully curated experiences, Stockholm became the epicentre of the future of mobility. Think panels that felt more TED than trade show, styling that leaned minimalist Scandi chic, and conversations jumping seamlessly from AI to aesthetics. All roads led, quite literally, to the highly anticipated reveal of the EX60 at Artipelag.

Set against the dramatic archipelago just outside the city, Artipelag’s auditorium felt more Silicon Valley keynote than Scandinavian gallery. Giant screens, theatrical lighting and that unmistakable pre-show buzz filled the room as the countdown began. It was the same nervous-excited energy you feel moments before a runway show starts – phones poised, whispers hushed.

As the doors opened and the EX60 was driven onto the stage, audible gasps rippled through the room. The kind of collective intake of breath usually reserved for a surprise finale look at fashion week or a dramatic couture reveal. Sleek, sculptural and quietly confident, the car had instant presence.

Side note: we have to talk about the drivers. Calm, composed and almost statue-like under the lights, they manoeuvred the cars on stage with total precision, seemingly unfazed by the thousands of eyes trained on them. Honestly, the poise alone deserved its own round of applause.

Power, pace and performance – perfected

The EX60 isn’t just about good looks. Designed to lead Volvo Cars into its next century, it doesn’t simply raise the bar for electric vehicles – it confidently resets it. Powered by cutting-edge technology, the all-wheel-drive EX60 delivers a range of up to 810 kilometres on a single charge, the longest of any Volvo to date.

Charging is just as impressive. Plugged into a 400kW fast charger, the EX60 can add up to 340 kilometres of range in just 10 minutes – barely enough time to grab a cinnamon bun – while charging from 10 to 80 per cent takes only 19 minutes. It’s the kind of convenience that makes electric feel genuinely effortless, whether you’re navigating daily city life or escaping for a long weekend.

A new era of confidence behind the wheel

Safety has always been Volvo’s calling card, and with the EX60 it’s been reimagined for a new generation. From its boron-steel safety cage and redesigned front bumper to its advanced software systems, the car is engineered to understand both its surroundings and the people inside it.

A world-first multi-adaptive safety belt personalises protection by adjusting to the occupant’s body type, seating position and even crash speed and direction via external sensors. In the event of an accident, the EX60 can also automatically call for help – quietly reassuring in a world that already feels loud enough.

Another standout is Volvo Cars’ award-winning Driver Understanding System, which detects fatigue or distraction and provides extra support when attention wanes. During one workshop, Volvo’s Senior Safety Technical Leader, Mikael Ljung Aust, emphasized the importance of recharging not just our cars, but ourselves, a sentiment that resonated strongly with an audience juggling busy schedules, and constant notifications. I also couldn’t help drawing a parallel to the Scandinavian tradition of fika, the idea of taking a mindful pause with coffee and conversation to recharge and reset.

Intelligent by design, intuitive by nature

At the heart of the EX60 is HuginCore, Volvo Cars’ new integrated hardware and software system that allows the car to think, process and respond in real time. Designed to improve continuously through over-the-air updates, it means the car evolves alongside you – becoming smarter, safer and more intuitive the longer you own it.

The EX60 is also the first Volvo to launch with Google’s new AI assistant, Gemini. Translation: natural, hands-free conversations with your car. From navigation to entertainment and daily reminders, it feels less like issuing commands and more like chatting to a very capable personal assistant – one that just happens to be driving you across town.

A true ode to Scandi design

Unsurprisingly, the EX60 is a masterclass in Scandinavian design. The exterior balances refined efficiency with understated elegance: a low front, gently sloping roofline and tapered body sides that feel sleek without shouting for attention. The colour palette is pulled straight from nature, from crisp ‘Ice White’ and luminous ‘Aurora Silver’ to the inky depth of ‘Forest Lake’.

Inside, the cabin feels like stepping into a beautifully designed Nordic home. Created at Volvo’s West Coast studio overlooking forests and rugged coastline, the interior takes direct inspiration from the landscape. Senior Colour & Material Design Manager Sara Erichsen Susnjar explained that during the design process, her team often retreated outdoors, picking up moss and natural textiles straight from the ground – a detail that feels very on-brand for Scandinavia.

The interior palette reflects that connection to nature: ‘Dawn’, a soft grey-beige; ‘Charcoal’, a deep black; and ‘Cardamom’, an earthy brown that wouldn’t look out of place in a thoughtfully curated living room.

Upholstery options range from supple Nappa leather to Nordico, Volvo’s premium leather alternative made from bio-attributed PVC and 100 per cent recycled polyester. The ‘Rye’ interior introduces a tailored natural wool blend inspired by Scandinavian farmland. 

With 27 per cent recycled materials used overall, the EX60 also boasts Volvo Cars’ lowest carbon footprint yet for a fully electric model, proving sustainability and style don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

The cabin experience is elevated even further with advanced air-purification technology, six ambient lighting themes, our favorite being the forest projection that mimics sunlight filtering through trees and a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, complete with headrest speakers in all four main seats. Apple Music with Dolby Atmos comes pre-installed, another Volvo first, and one that had more than a few heads nodding in approval.

The presentation closed on a high with the unveiling of the EX60 Cross Country edition. As the ‘Frost Green’ car rolled onto the stage, the audience gasped once again. Designed to feel just as at home navigating city streets as it is venturing off the beaten path, it was clear this more adventurous expression struck a chord – judging by the buzz in the room, many were already imagining where they’d take it next.

During the during the event, a fellow journalist leaned over and declared that this was “the car for the girlies” and honestly, it stuck. Because the more time spent with the EX60, the more that sentiment made perfect sense. It’s intelligent without being intimidating, beautifully designed without trying too hard, and packed with thoughtful details that genuinely make life easier. From its calm, confidence-boosting safety features to its quietly luxurious interior and seamless tech, the EX60 feels considered, modern and effortlessly cool. In short? It’s a seriously impressive car and yes, unequivocally, the ultimate choice for the girlies.