New Volvo Electric Compact SUV EX30 is the wow factor

The world wide launch of the car took place simultaneously across the globe and to be honest I wasn't entirely convinced from the outset that this was going to be more than a hum drum hooo haaa nod to the Scandis and their eco save the planet fetishes.

OF COURSE it was all that but what I wasn't expecting was that it just also happens to be the fastest production car Volvo has ever made. 0-100 in 3.6 seconds! WTF?

OK. It has my full attention.

From the recycled jean pant option in the interior (I kid you not) through to the space saving sound bar speaker system (in a bloody obvious why didn't we think of that moment) - the EX30 on screen and on paper is a massively appealing car. Volvo's launch video (https://ex30event.volvocars.com/) features a very Scots CEO Jim Rowan who walks us through the smallness of the car that features largeness everywhere you look.

Whatever else Jim Rowan may be, as a CEO, for the love of God someone buy that man a Bells. He stole the show for me and is the perfect foil for a Very Swedish Car that is Properly Serious about it's role in the world. I believed him. The incongruity of the Scots accent with the deftest touches of subtle humour sit perfectly with the car and now I want one.

The car. Not the Scot.

They had me long before the stupendous performance claims - from 30% less steel and aluminum in the physical construction to the, yes I am repeating it, recycled jean pant materials (I will never tire of quoting that) the EX30 is everything that an EV should be. In my mind anyway.

It looks properly clever. There are high tech touches everywhere - from no key access (you can use a smartphone) through to hidden storage, smooth slide cup holders that in themselves are a thing of joy to watch, the rear view mirrors that are frameless (or just about) - this is an EV not only for the eco bunny tree hugging tie dyed T shirt wearing long haired aged hippie fraternity, but also for the tech trendy savvy viking bearded architect crowd. I must add too that the high heeled manicured trophy wife brigade are going to be all over this car like it was next week's geriatric three month life expectancy bachelor selectathon.

And me. Who mercilessly mocks Volvo drivers without fear or favour.

With one small issue. Even at the price which is moving in the right direction I can't quite yet afford one.

Let's talk spec and price. Being a Volvo there is stupid levels of safety spec. All class leading because that's just what Volvo does. Even if they do wrap it up in a sledgehammer called Mjolnir. There is a lot of safety spec, much of it all new and you can find all the deets on the orders page at Volvo - orders are open. Tell them I sent you and you can thank me later.

There are 5 variants. The small one is called an EX 30 Core - and it "only" does 0-100 in 5.7 seconds. Single motor, 51kWhr battery, 344 km range. R775k.

That's good. I think Mini just had a heart attack.

The next up is the EX 30 Plus with a 69kWhr battery - extending range to 480km. 0-100 drops to 5.3s (bigger battery means slightly more power extraction is possible). R865k. Meh.

Now we get to the twin motor EX 30 Plus at 0-100 in 3.6 seconds, 460km range off the same 69kWhr battery at R935k. Yum!

Then an odd EX30 Ultra single motor 480km range at R965k. Meh.

And the big one - the EX30 Ultra with two motors - same range as the EX Plus at 460kms at R996k. Yum yum yummity yum!

For me the choice is easy. You go Core for your city run around, or Big Ultra for the sheer performance. Obviously there are differing levels of spec trim but in this price performance bracket the value proposition on offer here, and this is with our stupid duties put in place by a stupid government, it is properly remarkable what Volvo have been able to pull off from a pricing point of view. I had it pegged as my guess ahead of the pricing announcement at well over R1M going to R1.3M.

The EX30 looks to be a stunning car at launch. Of course, it wouldn't be much of a launch if they didn't make it look stunning. However my well used and honed jaded inner cynic within me I have to report, weirdly, has nothing to say at this point in time. That doesn't happen often.

If I ever get to drive one, I'll report back on how it translates in the flesh. And all I can add is that if I had the money I think I would already have ordered one. Obviously the fast one.

Me. In a Volvo?

The world has gone crazy.