VOLVO SA UNVEILS ONE-OFF EX30 CROSS COUNTRY: A COOL CELEBRATION OF LOCAL HERITAGE AND SUSTAINABLE ADVENTURE
Volvo Car South Africa has taken its newest electric SUV and given it a distinctly South African heartbeat. Revealed at the national launch of the EX30 Cross Country, this bespoke, one-off version fuses the brand’s Scandinavian design DNA with local culture, outdoor spirit, and a deep nod to sustainability. Behind the wheel at its debut was none other than Afrikaans pop sensation Dodo Nyoka, who surprised guests with an electrifying live performance that mirrored the energy of the customised EX30 itself. This unique EX30 Cross Country immediately turns heads with its satin gloss wrap in burnt sienna and ochre, colours inspired by the country’s dramatic landscapes. Across the body runs subtle topographic linework, echoing the mountains, rivers, and open veld that define the South African outdoors. Woven into the wrap is a personal touch from Dodo himself - a line that resonates with individuality and inclusivity: “I never fit in the world, then I realised I was made to create a place where everyone can fit in.”
The SUV is further outfitted with adventure-ready kit: a sturdy Volvo roof rack carries practical accessories, including a Thule fishing rod holder and even a spot for a potjie pot - proof that no detail of local life was overlooked. Rugged Falken all-terrain tyres, Volvo mudflaps, and a bank of Hella spotlights add both grit and function, ensuring the EX30 Cross Country looks just as comfortable on gravel tracks as it does outside a city café.
While its styling celebrates heritage, the heart of this EX30 Cross Country beats with Volvo’s latest technology. Powered by the Twin Motor electric drivetrain, it delivers a potent 315 kW and 543 Nm, good for a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 3.7 seconds, which is becoming more and more annoying on the streets of Northern Jo’burg. I’ve pulled away from traffic lights like I’m doing a drag race record run, and some tannie in an EX30 blitzed past me like I was looking for parking - she didn’t even know I was racing. Luckily. Silent yet ferocious, it legit offers up supercar-like acceleration - without the environmental footprint.
Paired with raised ground clearance, protective skid plates, and muscular wheel arches, it balances agility in town with the confidence to head far beyond it. For Volvo, this project is more than a design exercise - it’s a cultural collaboration. By tying in the voice and vision of Dodo Nyoka, the brand bridges sustainable mobility with local artistry and outdoor passion.
“This special version of the EX30 Cross Country is a celebration of South Africa’s landscapes, culture, and commitment to a more sustainable future,” said Grant Locke, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa. “It proves that electric mobility isn’t just urban - it’s versatile, adventurous, and perfectly suited to the way South Africans live.”
Though this customised EX30 Cross Country is a one-off, its presence carries weight: it’s a reminder that electric vehicles can be practical, powerful, and deeply personal. It’s a conversation starter, an ambassador for a greener future - and a rolling tribute to South Africa itself.
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows off the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country - this one is in the regular spec so you can see the difference between the OEM stuff and the one with added Saffer flavouring: Meet the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country | Volvo Car
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