Volvo is introducing its first people mover in the electric EM90, and it has broken cover almost a month before its official reveal.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is once again the culprit, as it publishes images of vehicles approved for sale and this tends to occur before their official reveals.
The EM90 is set for an official reveal on November 12, and Volvo has previously only revealed teaser images of the boxy people mover.
The MIIT also revealed several technical details, including the EM90’s weight. The seven-seater hits the scales at 2763kg when empty.
Per the filing, the EM90 measures 5206mm long, 2024mm wide and 1859mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3205mm, which is almost identical to the 009 from fellow Geely-owned brand Zeekr.
It also put it close to the LDV MIFA and its electric MIFA 9 counterpart in size.
A single rear-mounted 200kW electric motor will power the model and provide a top speed of 180km/h, although it’s expected the model will focus on practicality before outright performance and speed.
While the homologation filings don’t provide a suggested range estimate, the model is understood to be related to the Zeekr 009.
The 009 uses Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), and offers a choice of 116kWh and 140kWh batteries supplied by CATL.
Quoted range figures are 702km and 822km, respectively, albeit both on the generous CLTC test cycle.
Regardless of the battery, the 009 produces 400kW of power and 686Nm of torque from its dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain.
Visually, the EM90’s boxy silhouette and overall dimensions are very similar to the 009.
Shown in the leaked images is the EM90’s front end featuring the brand’s ‘Thor’s hammer’ headlight clusters, a large lower ‘grille’ portion, and a front apron decorated with small geometric cutouts.
Handles for both the front and rear doors are situated next to each other, indicating classic sliding doors for easy passenger entry into the people mover.
The illuminated Volvo logo and headlights resemble those of the EX30 and EX90.
Additionally, the model features dual sunroofs, and the A-pillar has been hollowed out for increased visibility.
At the rear, the homologation images reveal the Volvo letter badging sandwiched between large T-shaped split tail lights.
While these leaked images don’t provide any glimpse at the interior, Volvo has previously said that it will be “designed for you to make the most of the time spent in the car, like a Scandinavian living room on the move”.
Though Volvo has a rich history of family-friendly vehicles, the EM90 will be the first people mover (aka MPV or minivan) that the Swedish brand has offered.
Orders will open for the Chinese market, for which it has been originally developed, at the initial November release.
Zeekr 009 
The company says additional markets will be discussed at a later date.
While premium people movers are less common in Australia than they are in China, Lexus is one brand that will bring the segment to local shores with its second-generation LM people mover, based on the Toyota Alphard.
The LM will go up against the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, which is available with an electric powertrain under the EQV nameplate.
