Volvo's Abbey Road Mode Turns the EX90 Into a Personal Music Venue
One of the bands I grew an unhealthy, obsessive fixation over when I was a kid was The Beatles, and ironically, one of those songs on one of my driving playlists is Drive My Car. Though we know the words and notes of our favorite songs by heart, the most discerning ears know that there are wildly different and noticeable differences when we listen to them in our cars, our headphones, and through various types of speakers.
Nothing can compare to the experience of attending a live performance or being in the room with artists as they record. However, if you're a Beatles fan like I am, you might need a time machine to experience that era. But while time machines and flux capacitors remain the work of fiction, Volvo's latest software update has a cool new feature that may be the next best thing: a way to bring you closer to one of the most iconic studios in the world.
After teasing this feature last year, Volvo has officially introduced what they call the "Abbey Road Studios Mode" in an over-the-air (OTA) update for its all-electric EX90 models equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio system. This innovative digital audio experience has been crafted in collaboration with audio engineers from the actual Abbey Road Studios in London and high-end audio experts at Bowers & Wilkins.
In essence, Abbey Road Studios Mode was made to replicate the distinct sound and acoustic character of the Abbey Road recording rooms inside the Volvo EX90. In its quest to explore the limits of the in-car music listening experience, Bowers & Wilkins worked closely with the same audio engineers who obsessed over the minute, fine details for a wide range of music artists to create a series of digital soundscapes that could bring the studio alive in the big Volvo EV's ultra-quiet cabin.
Though other expensive brand-name high-end stereo systems in other cars allow you to tweak, tune, and mess with various equalizer (EQ) settings like the balance, bass, treble, and even focus the sound on passengers or drivers, Volvo says that the Abbey Road Studios Mode is different. The mode comes with some special presets that "provide a selection of sounds, optimised for different listening styles," as well as a special "Producer Mode," which "allows you to engineer your own sound" by adjusting between retro-style warmth or modern, crisp depth, and even shifting the simulated acoustic environment in the same way George Martin would've done.
"The Abbey Road Studios Mode brings the unique sound of our spaces and equipment to the Bowers & Wilkins system in the Volvo EX90 for the first time," Abbey Road Studios GM Jeremy Huffelmann said in a statement. "We are hugely proud of this collaboration, and excited for Volvo customers to experience this landmark technology."
The Abbey Road Studios Mode is a nice addition to the EX90, which already features a Dolby Atmos-capable, 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins system with 25 speakers placed throughout one of Volvo's quietest interiors. As a music fan, words underestimate the kind of songs that were recorded at Abbey Road. We're talking 190 of The Beatles' 210 song catalog, Lennon's Imagine, the entirety of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of The Moon, modern hits like Lady Gaga's Born This Way, Frank Ocean's Pink + White, and even the scores of Oscar-winning movies like Gravity and The Shape of Water.
Although it may seem like a bit too much of a niche "if you know, you know"-type of deal, I feel that given the studio's rich history in modern music, the 'Abbey Road mode' is the ultimate form of an audiophile's stamp of approval, which can sway at least some music-loving buyers towards the Volvo. At least for me, it could make "Drive My Car" sound true to the original recording.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
How experts say a new EPA proposal could shift U.S. auto makers' strategy on EVs
A new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to revoke a landmark greenhouse gas finding could alter the direction of the auto industry, which until now has had to abide by strict emissions guidelines. The EPA on July 29 announced it is planning to revoke an "endangerment finding" from 2009 that has served as the legal and scientific basis for the agency's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions across multiple industries, including motor vehicles, power plants, oil and gas producers and aircraft. The proposal, which still needs to go through a public comment period, focuses on regulations affecting the auto industry. If passed, it would repeal all greenhouse gas standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines. "With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end 16 years of uncertainty for auto makers and American consumers," Lee Zeldin, the administrator of EPA, stated in the announcement. Strict standards for emissions and fuel efficiency introduced during the Obama administration and expanded during the Biden administration, which also provided generous EV funding, has led many auto makers to add electric vehicles to their fleets in recent years. Others, like Volvo, have taken things a step further and committed to a fully electric future. But the landscape is shifting under President Trump, who has pushed forward a deregulatory agenda. Experts say that if this proposal passes, it will ease pressure on auto makers to produce electric cars, enabling them to adapt their mix of EV and gas-powered vehicle offerings to meet consumer demand. "It gives auto makers a little bit better ability to build, to produce and put vehicles on market that are more closely aligned with the pace of electric adoption right now," said Stephanie Brinley, a principal automotive analyst at S&P Global. John Bozzella, president and CEO Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents most of the major car manufacturers in the U.S., said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch that the trade association is reviewing the announcement. "At the same time," he added, "there's no question the vehicle emissions regulations finalized under the previous administration aren't achievable and should be revised to reflect current market conditions, to keep the auto industry in America competitive, and to keep the industry on a path of vehicle choice and lower emissions." A spokesperson from the EPA said Congress never explicitly gave EPA authority to impose greenhouse gas regulations for cars and trucks and that the agency's proposal to revoke the endangerment finding "does not prohibit vehicle manufacturers from developing EVs or different vehicles." Experts say that even amid a shifting regulatory landscape, consumer preference will continue to drive auto makers' decisions. "Their focus is going to be on making vehicles more affordable and dealing with the fact that consumers, not the government, are standing in the way of the mass adoption for EVs," Patrick Anderson, founder of Michigan-based consulting firm Anderson Economic Group. The rate of electric vehicle adoption has been steady over the last several years, although the majority of Americans still fuel their cars at the pump. Demand for the vehicles has waned over the last year, according to data on light vehicle registration from S&P Global Mobility. From January to May, the electric vehicle market share was 7.3%, compared with 8% for the entire year of 2024, data from the auto intelligence provider shows. But while consumer demand may have stalled slightly over the past year, auto makers will still want to offer low-emissions products in order to stay competitive both at home and abroad, Ivan Drury, director of insights at online car marketplace Edmunds, told CBS MoneyWatch. "Every auto maker is a global competitor, and even though they might not be selling as well here, they could sell elsewhere better," he said. Experts say the proposal, if passed, wouldn't drastically change any near-term plans of auto makers, given the time and money they have already invested in their product lines. "If had already planned to build X number of this kind of vehicle, you can change that, but not necessarily tomorrow," said Brinley. "So that's gonna have to be planned out." Product development cycles at car manufacturers span five to 10 years, according to a report from Eurasia Group, a global research firm. The exact strategy and speed with which companies make changes would vary from auto maker to auto maker, according to experts. "For now, auto makers would enjoy the flexibility and lower costs from less stringent emissions limits, particularly in their nonelectric fleet planning," the report from Eurasia says. There are concerns among some companies that the EPA's proposal, if passed, would inject a degree of chaos into industry, David Victor, a professor at University of California San Diego, told CBS MoneyWatch. Also, the rule-making process will likely be challenged in the courts, he said. "[Auto makers] will not get a reliable new set of rules anytime soon," said Victor. The EPA is holding a virtual public hearing on the proposed rule on Aug. 19-20, with a public comment period open through Sept. 15.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
An EPA proposal could lead U.S. auto makers to shift their strategy on EVs
A new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to revoke a landmark greenhouse gas finding could reshape the auto industry, which until now has had to abide by strict emissions guidelines. The EPA on July 29 announced it is planning to revoke an "endangerment finding" from 2009 that has served as the legal and scientific basis for the agency's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions across multiple industries, including motor vehicles, power plants, oil and gas producers and aircraft. The proposal, which still needs to go through a public comment period, focuses on regulations affecting the auto industry. If passed, it would repeal all greenhouse gas standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You The Insurance Savings You Expect Great Rates and Award-Winning Service "With this proposal, the Trump EPA is proposing to end 16 years of uncertainty for auto makers and American consumers," Lee Zeldin, the administrator of EPA, stated in the announcement. Strict standards for emissions and fuel efficiency introduced during the Obama administration and expanded during the Biden administration, which also provided generous EV funding, has led many auto makers to add electric vehicles to their fleets in recent years. Others, like Volvo, have taken things a step further and committed to a fully electric future. But the landscape is shifting under President Trump, who has pushed forward a deregulatory agenda. Experts say that if this proposal passes, it will ease pressure on auto makers to produce electric cars, enabling them to adapt their mix of EV and gas-powered vehicle offerings to meet consumer demand. "It gives auto makers a little bit better ability to build, to produce and put vehicles on market that are more closely aligned with the pace of electric adoption right now," said Stephanie Brinley, a principal automotive analyst at S&P Global. John Bozzella, president and CEO Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents most of the major car manufacturers in the U.S., said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch that the trade association is reviewing the announcement. "At the same time," he added, "there's no question the vehicle emissions regulations finalized under the previous administration aren't achievable and should be revised to reflect current market conditions, to keep the auto industry in America competitive, and to keep the industry on a path of vehicle choice and lower emissions." A spokesperson from the EPA said Congress never explicitly gave EPA authority to impose greenhouse gas regulations for cars and trucks and that the agency's proposal to revoke the endangerment finding "does not prohibit vehicle manufacturers from developing EVs or different vehicles." Focus on consumer demand Experts say that even amid a shifting regulatory landscape, consumer preference will continue to drive auto makers' decisions. "Their focus is going to be on making vehicles more affordable and dealing with the fact that consumers, not the government, are standing in the way of the mass adoption for EVs," Patrick Anderson, founder of Michigan-based consulting firm Anderson Economic Group. The rate of electric vehicle adoption has been steady over the last several years, although the majority of Americans still fuel their cars at the pump. Demand for the vehicles has waned over the last year, according to data on light vehicle registration from S&P Global Mobility. From January to May, the electric vehicle market share was 7.3%, compared with 8% for the entire year of 2024, data from the auto intelligence provider shows. But while consumer demand may have stalled slightly over the past year, auto makers will still want to offer low-emissions products in order to stay competitive both at home and abroad, Ivan Drury, director of insights at online car marketplace Edmunds, told CBS MoneyWatch. "Every auto maker is a global competitor, and even though they might not be selling as well here, they could sell elsewhere better," he said. Impact would take time Experts say the proposal, if passed, wouldn't drastically change any near-term plans of auto makers, given the time and money they have already invested in their product lines. "If had already planned to build X number of this kind of vehicle, you can change that, but not necessarily tomorrow," said Brinley. "So that's gonna have to be planned out." Product development cycles at car manufacturers span five to 10 years, according to a report from Eurasia Group, a global research firm. The exact strategy and speed with which companies make changes would vary from auto maker to auto maker, according to experts. "For now, auto makers would enjoy the flexibility and lower costs from less stringent emissions limits, particularly in their nonelectric fleet planning," the report from Eurasia says. There are concerns among some companies that the EPA's proposal, if passed, would inject a degree of chaos into industry, David Victor, a professor at University of California San Diego, told CBS MoneyWatch. Also, the rule-making process will likely be challenged in the courts, he said. "[Auto makers] will not get a reliable new set of rules anytime soon," said Victor. The EPA is holding a virtual public hearing on the proposed rule on Aug. 19-20, with a public comment period open through Sept. 15. Global stock markets react to Trump's sweeping tariffs in effect now Sean "Diddy" Combs wants to go back to Madison Square Garden in the future, attorney says Neil deGrasse Tyson weighs in on plans for a moon-based nuclear reactor
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
HEOS App Now Supports Native Qobuz Streaming On Supported Denon And Marantz Devices
Qobuz, the high-fidelity music streaming and download platform founded in France, is now integrated into the HEOS app, giving users of Denon and Marantz devices a new way to browse and play their Qobuz libraries using their HEOS-enabled devices. HEOS is the proprietary wireless multi-room audio platform found in many Denon and Marantz products. It's a bit like Apple AirPlay or Google Cast and it enables users to control HEOS-compatible speakers and systems throughout the home using the free HEOS app. This latest integration follows the successful rollout of Qobuz Connect on 15 May 2025. As with TIDAL and Spotify Connect, the new feature enables Qobuz subscribers to stream directly from the Qobuz app to any Denon or Marantz product powered by HEOS. HEOS Support For Qobuz Streaming Instead of streaming from the smartphone to the HEOS device, Qobuz Connect draws the music directly from the Qobuz servers, with the app being used just for controlling the music. Now that Qobuz is available from inside the HEOS app, users can have more flexibility in how they access their music library and playlists. The update introduces a second and seamless way to stream Qobuz. For multi-room playback, users can continue to select music from the Qobuz app using Qobuz Connect, then use the HEOS app to group multiple HEOS-enabled devices and distribute music across their home. Together, Qobuz Connect and native HEOS app integration offer high-quality sound and user choice so users can get the best from their audio systems, whatever their preferred method of control. 'We're proud that Denon and Marantz, through their excellent HEOS platform, were among the first to support Qobuz Connect from launch,' says Dan Mackta, managing director for North America and Northern Europe at Qobuz. 'We're equally delighted to now be joining the HEOS app directly, giving users even more choice in how they enjoy the Qobuz experience.' Qobuz in the HEOS app is now available via a free firmware update.
