Volvo just did something that sounds backwards: it pulled a motor out of the EX30 Cross Country — and the car went further, not shorter. In Japan, the new rear-wheel-drive version launched at 5.99 million yen ($36,600), 500,000 yen cheaper than the all-wheel-drive model, and it covers 530 km on the WLTC cycle versus 500 km before. Power dropped noticeably. Range climbed noticeably more. For a city driver, that trade might turn out to be the smart one.
So what’s under the hood — or rather, under the floor. The EX30 Cross Country Ultra P5 Long Range Electric gets a single rear motor making 272 hp and 343 Nm. The range-topping P8 AWD keeps its dual-motor setup, good for a combined 428 hp and 543 Nm. Both versions share the same 69 kWh battery, but the rear-drive model is 90 kg lighter at 1,790 kg.
Visually, you won’t be able to tell the stripped-down version from the all-wheel-drive one — and that’s exactly the point. The matte body cladding, wider wheel arches, 19-inch wheels and 195 mm ground clearance are all still there. Ultra-trim equipment hasn’t been touched either: panoramic roof, heat pump, heated steering wheel and seats, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and a Harman Kardon sound system all carry over.
Now here’s the twist. The regular rear-drive EX30 Ultra P5 Long Range (without the Cross Country badge) costs 5.79 million yen ($35,400) and covers up to 560 km. That means the Cross Country premium comes to 200,000 yen ($1,200) — and for that money, buyers get 20 mm of extra ground clearance and the rugged styling. What they lose is 30 km of rated range. Whether that’s a good trade is up to the buyer.
Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive version quietly got a new name: Ultra Twin Motor Performance is now Ultra P8 AWD Electric. The hardware and price — 6.49 million yen ($39,700) — stay the same, but the palette gains a new Cloud Blue. Both versions are now on sale in Japan.
Tarantas.news previously reported that Volvo Cars agreed to support its Ghent plant with up to €119 million.
