Volvo’s electric car line-up has entered new territory with today’s high-profile debut of the EX60 and its equally high-profile range of up to 810km (503 miles).

The EX60 sets new benchmarks for range, charging speed and performance, while also representing “the next frontier” in safety

The electric sibling to the Swedish brand’s best-selling XC60 mid-size SUV, the EX60 sets new benchmarks for range, charging speed and performance, while also representing “the next frontier” in safety.

Volvo says it’s a game-changer for the sector, with its capacity to “end range anxiety”.

It also marks Volvo Cars’ first entry in the largest electric segment globally, allowing it to substantially increase its addressable market and electric market share.

Håkan Samuelsson, the brand’s recently returned CEO, said the EX60 represents a new beginning for Volvo and its customers.

“With this car, we remove all remaining obstacles for going electric.

On sale from September and expected to be priced from around £56k, the new Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3 rival will be available with three different powertrain variants and battery sizes.

The line-up starts with the rear-wheel-powered P6 Electric variant, featuring an 83kWh battery and delivering up to 620km (385 miles) of WLTP range. The P10 AWD Electric comes with a 95kWh battery and is good for up to 660km (410 miles). The range-topping P12 AWD Electric variant comes with twin motors and a 117kWh battery, offering the class-leading range of up to 810km (503 miles). In all, seven “attractive” variants will be available, “covering all needs and lifestyles” and all available with 10 years of battery warranty.

At the same time, the EX60 can add up to 340km (211 miles) of range in 10 minutes when using a 400kW fast charger.

The line-up also includes the beefed-up EX60 Cross Country, which sits 20mm higher, and with another 20mm up for grabs with the help of the air suspension, and also gets skid plates, wider rugged wheel arches, plus bespoke wheels, colour choices and branding.

The EX60 is built on Volvo’s new SPA3 electric vehicle architecture, designed to set new standards in scalability, modularity, manufacturing efficiencies and cost.

Key new technologies include a cell-to-body system which integrates the battery directly into the structure of the car, along with next-generation in-house developed e-motors and a new battery cell design, all helping to boost energy efficiency and driving range, while reducing weight.

It’s also the first Volvo car built with the help of mega casting, whereby hundreds of smaller parts are replaced with a single, high-precision casting in the production process. This reduces weight, which again improves range and lets you go further.

That’s not the only company-first; the EX60 is also the first Volvo car to launch with Gemini, the new AI assistant from Google.

The EX60is also powered by ‘HuginCore’; Volvo’s new system of hardware and software that includes services and technologies from tech leaders such as Google, Nvidia and Qualcomm Technologies.

Volvo also promises a new customer experience designed for simplicity, transparency and precision. Customers get transparency on price, clarity on what content they get in the car, and a precise estimated delivery time. They can also pick a pre-configured car available for instant delivery, always with the option for a fully customised car that takes slightly longer to deliver.

The new EX60 also delivers “Scandinavian design with purpose”, teaming up a “stylish, confident and efficient exterior” with a “calm, refined and versatile” interior with a large luggage compartment and various smart storage spaces for personal items.

As you would expect from a Volvo, safety is core focus and the carmaker says the EX60 goes above and beyond regulations and rating requirements. It will also be the inaugural Volvo to use the brand’s world-first multi-adaptive safety belt.

First deliveries of the P6 and P10 variants will start this summer, with the P12 following soon after that.