Drivers of certain Volvo vehicles will soon be able to get the kind of music listening experience that will feel like they’re inside the recording studio with the band.

The automaker is rolling out the Abbey Road Studios Mode, a sound technology intended to capture the essence of the Abbey Road Studios’ unique environment.

The sound system was developed by Bowers & Wilkins, a high-end British speaker and headphone maker, and Abbey Road Studios, the iconic London-based recording studio.

That’s the studio where the Beatles recorded many of their biggest hits, where Pink Floyd recorded “The Dark Side of the Moon,” and where numerous other big-name stars made recordings, including Oasis, Radiohead, Adele and so many others. Film scores for “The Lord of the Rings,” “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” were also recorded there.

Which Volvos are getting this mode?

Not every car in Volvo’s lineup will get this new sound mode.

Volvo said Abbey Road Studios Mode will debut in all EX90 vehicles fitted with the optional Bowers & Wilkins high fidelity audio system.

The sound mode will be added to these cars, free of charge, via over-the-air update in the coming weeks.

Future EX90 and ES90 vehicles with the Bowers & Wilkins audio system will have the sound mode included as they roll out from the factory.

What is Abbey Road Studios Mode?

Firstly, the sound mode comes with several sound presents, each optimized for a different listening style.

Then, there is Producer Mode, which allows occupants to engineer their own sound. People will be able to shift the acoustics and choose from retro/vintage sounds to deeper, more modern sounds.

It will allow users to narrow or expand the stereo sound field and adjust the acoustic environment, Volvo said, just as a producer or engineer could do.

Volvo said the EX90 has one of the quietest cabins of any vehicle it has made. EX90s equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system have 25 speakers with 1,610 watts, and can play Dolby Atmos content.

“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, allowing the driver to shape and personalise the sound in the car for an unparalleled listening experience,” said Abbey Road general manager Jeremy Huffelmann in a news release. “We are hugely proud of this collaboration, and excited for Volvo customers to experience this landmark technology.”

Polestar also gaining feature

Polestar, which is part of the Volvo Cars, announced its Polestar 3 models equipped with a Bowers & Wilkins sound system will also gain this feature via over-the-air update.

“The Bowers & Wilkins sound system in Polestar 3 is already world class, but this new Abbey Road Studios Mode takes it to another level,” said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller in a news release.

“Its ability to deliver an audio experience so closely inspired by the Abbey Road Studios’ sonic signature means you’d swear you were right there in the legendary London building, not driving a performance SUV. And to be able to deliver this functionality directly to our customers in an overnight OTA update can only be considered something of a smash hit.”

NOTE TO READERS: This article was updated July 7, 2025 to include information about Polestar also gaining the feature.

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