Volvo has launched what is being billed as its most important car ever and claims it’s a total ‘game changer’.

The vehicle is the EX60, a fully electrified mid-sized SUV that will be sold alongside its sibling, the XC60. But what makes this car so special?

To find out, we were invited to Stockholm for the much-anticipated unveiling of the EX60, a model that’s been designed, developed and will be built in Sweden. And the figures certainly make for interesting reading.

With would-be EV owners still airing concerns about range, charging times and initial costs, the all-new EX60 boasts a driving range of up to 503 miles, charges as quickly as filling a traditional car at the fuel pumps and has a starting price of £56,860. That lays to rest those concerns then.

It will be sold with three battery options – the P6 is the entry-level version and has an 83kWh unit with 374hp and 480Nm of torque. This can achieve up to 385 miles on a single charge and is rear-wheel drive only.

Next up is the P10 with an 83kWh battery capable of delivering 501hp and 710Nm of torque. This has electric motors on both axles for all-wheel drive and a range of 410 miles.

Finally, the top-of-the-tree P12 with a 117kWh battery pack developing 680hp and 790Nm. It can complete the 0-62mph sprint in just 3.9 seconds and has the greatest range at 503 miles. This will also be the most expensive EX60 tipping the scales at £64,60.

Any public charging issues should be a thing of the past for EX60 owners too, as it can gain an extra 211 miles of range in just 10 minutes via a rapid charger.

Trim levels are Core, Pure and Ultra, while a Cross Country model (below) will be joining the SUV line-up a little further down the line and this will boast more rugged styling cues.

Design-wise, the EX60 is instantly recognisable as a Volvo thanks to the Thor Hammer signature lights at the front and trademark vertical tail lamps. The sloping roofline gives the vehicle a sporty look while also aiding aerodynamics and range-efficiency. Illuminated door handles with a haptic touch feature, active grille shutters and striking alloy wheels complete the head-turning good looks.

The interior is feature-rich and crafted from the finest fixtures and fittings throughout. Expect to find plenty of soft-touch surfaces, fine ash wood trim, quality wool blend upholstery plus the option of an electrochromic panoramic sunroof which allows the driver to control the transparency.

Technology is key to the EX60 too and it’s the first Volvo to be launched with Gemini, which is Google’s ultra-impressive new AI set-up. Additionally, there are creature comforts galore with a 28-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system with four headrest speakers, along with a raft of safety systems and driver assist aids.

Volvo is on a mission to eliminate any fatalities or serious injuries from its new vehicles, so is constantly upgrading its safety technology. And one new feature in the EX60 is the multi-adaptive seatbelt system, which adjusts according to the size, body shape and positions of each occupant. It can also calculate the speed and angle of any accident and adjust the belt’s tension accordingly.

And with information gleaned from any accidents or near misses involving a Volvo globally, the safety technology is constantly updated and improved upon thanks to over-the-air software updates.

The EX60 has been developed on a new scalable platform called the SPA3 which will be used on future models ranging from compact city cars right the way up to people movers. The excellent range has been accomplished in the main thanks to some very clever build and packaging techniques. For example, the battery is a complete unit that is fitted into the floor – this also creates extra cabin space without compromising on safety or any maintenance issues. Secondly, there is a mega casting process which sees hundreds of smaller parts replaced by a single, light-weight, high-precision casting. It’s very clever stuff and all contributes to better efficiency and passenger comfort.

Volvo experts could hardly contain their excitement about the EX60 as Anders Bell, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer, Volvo Cars, summed up, saying: “This is our game-changer. It’s the most technically advanced car we have ever built and one that marks the end of range anxiety. When we set out to build the smartest Volvo ever and establish a new benchmark for automotive safety, we started out with customers in mind. We wanted to push the envelope on technology to anticipate our customer’s needs and make their lives easier, better and more enjoyable.

“As our tech gets more advanced, life in your EX60 gets easier, safer and more enjoyable. Today, this is the best car we have ever made, tomorrow it will be even better.”