Swedish car makers, Polestar and Volvo, have collaborated with London’s Abbey Road Studios to enhance and tailor the sound experience of its large electric SUVs.
Owners of the Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 electric SUVs equipped with the Bowers & Wilkins sound system can expect an OTA (over-the air) software update rolling out in July, introducing the new Abbey Road Studios Mode.
Partnering with the iconic London-based recording studio responsible for albums from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Lady Gaga, the new sound modes feature four presets – Intimate, Open, Energised, and Expansive.
Additionally, users can opt for another more personal sound using Producer mode.
Curated by the studios’ audio engineers, each preset emulates the sounds of the control rooms and historical recording, mixing, and mastering processes used back in the UK.
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Polestar CEO, Michael Lohscheller stated that the “audio experience [is] so closely inspired by the Abbey Road Studios’… you’d swear you were right there in the legendary London building, not driving a performance SUV”.
Each preset is accompanied by a bespoke image from the studio shown on the car’s high-definition 14.5-inch touchscreen, including the iconic instruments and equipment from the Abbey Road collection.
| Sound mode | Function |
| Intimate | The Intimate preset, inspired by vintage sounds, lets the listeners feel closer to the performance, immersing themselves in the music and sounds. |
| Open | The Open preset mimics the environment where music is performed, made to sound like each note is played live in the studio. |
| Energised | The Energised preset merges retro sounds and acute details, sounding acoustic, broad, and lively. |
| Expansive | The Expansive preset is made to swarm the ears in the ambiance, enhancing the depth and dimension of the music. |
| Producer | Producer mode allows the drivers to shape the sound using simple controls inspired by the studio’s rooms and equipment. Users can alter tone or ambience in real time, turning the car into a mobile studio. |
Sally Davies, Abbey Road Managing Director said in a statement that “the partnership continues our collaboration with Bowers & Wilkins to develop products in the consumer audio space, and further extends out expansion into automotive audio as, for the first time, Abbey Road’s sonic DNA shapes the listening experience in the Polestar 3”.
This update is exclusively featured in the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system in the Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90, which starts from $118,420 before on-road costs and $124,990 respectively in Australia for the base Long Range Single Motor and Plus Twin Motor variants.
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The Bowers & Wilkins sound system is only available in the Polestar 3 as part of the $9000 Plus Pack that also adds a head-up display, heated steering wheel, soft-close doors, and more.
The audio system can be added as a standalone feature in the Volvo EX90 for $3000.
With 25 speakers placed around each vehicle, 3D surround sound, and active road noise cancellation – coupled with the near-silent all-electric powertrain – users can expect a premium audio experience.
Other additional software improvements included in the update are Stolen Vehicle Tracking and Smart Schedule for charging.
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