Of all the things to expect from the launch of a new Volvo, a headline power output of 671bhp and 870Nm is fairly low down the list. However, with the introduction of the new ES90 electric fastback, the manufacturer has unveiled its most powerful road car to date. The front electric motor develops 295bhp and 287lb-ft, while 376bhp and 354lb-ft comes from the rear, and their peak outputs are maintained from 5,600-8,100rpm.

The performance heads to the wheels through a pair of single-speed transmissions, and the 2.5-tonne fastback will reach 60mph in just 4.0 seconds from rest, no doubt hitting its 112mph speed limiter not long afterwards. The brakes are shared across all ES90 variants, with 366mm, and 360mm diameter discs at the front and rear respectively; one-pedal driving is possible with the regenerative braking doing the majority of the work to slow the car down.

The motors are fed by a 102kWh usable capacity battery, and the car utilises an 800-volt architecture. This allows for high peak DC charging performance of up to 350kW, meaning a 10-80% charge for the battery takes just 20 minutes. A standard-fit heat pump, and a drag coefficient of 0.25Cd helps the car achieve a claimed range of up to 434 WLTP miles.

Active air suspension features on the ES90 Performance, but don’t expect a circuit-focused setup. Volvo has comfort in mind, noting that the cabin is the quietest one they’ve ever made. There’s room for five, a Google infotainment system that runs on a 14.5” portrait display, four-zone climate control and a large panoramic glass sunroof as standard.

Two equipment levels are available at launch - Plus and Ultra - with the Performance variant only available in the latter. A head-up display, flush door handles, 21” alloy wheels, an electrochromic roof, and Nordico synthetic leather come as standard. Three colours are available in this material, with the only seat without heating or ventilation being the central perch. Alternately, a grey fabric interior can be selected at no extra cost.

Like the Peugeot 408 and Polestar 2, the ES90 takes the form of a higher riding fastback as opposed to a traditional low-slung saloon. It differs further from its S90 predecessor by having an opening tailgate rather than a saloon-style boot; a 424-litre load bay features at the rear, with an additional 22-litre storage area under the bonnet. The car is a clear relation to the new EX90 - the electric equivalent of the XC90 SUV - with its smooth front end, small air inlet, and Thor’s hammer headlights with a secondary running light strip on the outer edge of the front bumper.

The stacked tail lights capture the attention on the tailgate, but the only visible difference between the Single Motor, Dual Motor, and Performance versions of the car hides in plain sight: a white square next to the ES90 badge. Cars like the Alpina B8 GT may take a second glance to detect their performance levels, but the ES90 Performance requires a very close look at the left-hand side of the tailgate to determine whether it’s the most powerful Volvo ever made.

The car is a sleeper in the truest sense, with not even a mention of the three power outputs on offer from its official press release. While clearly not positioned to be a rival to the Audi S6 e-tron, BMW i5 M60, or the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53, the ES90 offers an alternative for those who want comfort, subtlety, and the occasional dose of warp-speed overtaking performance.

Order books are open now, and prices start at £87,350 for the new Volvo ES90 Performance in Ultra specification, while the entry-level Single Motor variant begins at £69,950 in Plus trim. Deliveries for the UK will commence in 2026, and while the ES90 will stand out with its imposing stature, you’ll have to have eagle eyes to spot the 671bhp super sleeper.