Volvo, Polestar, B&W Introduce “Abbey Road Studios Mode” Inspired by Iconic Studio’s Sonic Signature

Volvo Cars and Polestar, in which it has a minor stake, have both introduced a new “Abbey Road Studios Mode” for certain car models equipped with Bowers & Wilkins audio systems. Both companies tout the audio technology, developed by B&W together with expert staff at the Abbey Road Studios who have worked with some of the world’s most influential bands and artists there. The new audio mode allows for the legendary facility’s unique sonic characteristics to be reproduced, and its creation involved taking inspiration from the actual equipment used between the 1950s and 1970s, as well as the studio’s spaces themselves.

The new mode will be rolled out to existing vehicles via an over-the-air software update at no cost. Volvo’s first model to receive this update will be the EX90 SUV, with the ES90 sedan next in line. It isn’t yet clear whether other models will be eligible in the future. Polestar will offer this feature on its Polestar 3 crossover SUV. The two manufacturers share a common platform called SPA2. However, only cars with a B&W audio system will benefit from this.

Abbey Road Studios Mode offers four unique presets: Intimate, Open, Energised, and Expansive, each of which can evoke the studio’s recording, mixing, and mastering processes. 

While the Intimate preset is said to make car occupants feel like they’re sitting in a studio producer’s chair in a control room, the Open option aims to make the listener feel like they are up close with the artists within the live performance space. The Energised preset is for those who want a warm, lively vintage sound, and finally the Expansive preset creates a more pronounced depth and dimension.

There’s also a separate Producer setting that lets users adjust parameters themselves to shape the tone and ambience of their listening experience. Imagery matching each preset is displayed on the car’s infotainment screen.

Abbey Road Studios is the world’s first purpose-built music recording studio, and is most famously associated with The Beatles, who recorded most of their catalogue there. Other noteworthy artists who have used its facilities include Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Oasis, Shirley Bassey, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga. It has also been used to record some of the film industry’s most recognisable scores, including music for Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and recent Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.