Volvo Unveils 'Cross Country' Version of Its Entry-Level BEVVolvo Unveils 'Cross Country' Version of Its Entry-Level BEV

Volvo Cars unveils its off-road version of its entry-level EX30 battery-electric crossover, touting a cocktail of rugged bolt-ons to enhance its performance in the wild.

While claiming to maintain the range and charging capabilities of the base model, a maximum range of 265 miles and 10%-80% charging in 26 minutes, the EX30 Cross Country (continuing the ‘XC’ nomenclature) adds protective “chunky” front and rear skidpans and wheel arch extensions.

The car is raised 0.7 in. (18 mm) compared with the standard EX30, has all-wheel drive and gets bigger wheels, with an optional package of accessories including a load carrier, a roof basket, 18-in. all-terrain tires and mudflaps.

Naturally, the souped-up version will retail for more than the $46,195 starting sticker price, so expect to pay around $50,000 for the model when it reaches the market later this year.

Following the debut, as part of a literal fireside chat including outdoors equipment brand Fjällräven in the north of Sweden, Jim Rowan, Volvo Cars CEO, says: “We launched our first Cross Country car over 25 years ago, and this concept of durable and all-weather cars is core to the Volvo brand. In Sweden, we face harsh winters but we also like to make the most of them by getting out and exploring our amazing nature, even when it’s minus-20 Celsius (-4 F) outside. That’s why we want to deliver a fully rounded experience, not simply a car, to our EX30 Cross Country customers.”