Recently we’ve acquired new spy photos of a prototype for Volvo’s upcoming SUV, the XC40.
We all had the opportunity to see a preview of the XC40 in 2016 thanks to 40.1 concept car. Looking at the prototypes, we can clearly see that the production model will look quite like the concept.
The upcoming compacts coming from Volvo’s kitchen will be based on the CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform that was developed by Swedish carmaker and their parent company Geely. This joint venture platform should feature advanced technologies when it comes to connectivity, autonomous driving, electrification and also the refined driving dynamics that go without saying for a premium vehicle.
The aforementioned underpinnings were already used to produced a vehicle intended for Geely’s new Lynk & Co brand, and the next one will be the XC40. This car is expected to go on sale in 2018 as a 2019 model. Its list of rivals will include names such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Infiniti QX30, Cadillac XT4 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Volvo’s ‘muscle’ cars (most powerful ones) will bear a ‘T5’ badge and will have a Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain which consists of an internal combustion engine and electric motor, the case was the same with the XC90 T8 Twin Engine. The other end of the scale will have ‘T2’ and ‘T3’ badges. D2, D3, and D5 diesel versions are also expected, however, there are almost no chances of these appearing in the US.
Besides the XC40 we will also be able to see an S40 sedan and V40 hatchback. The S40 has been previewed the previous year in its concept form whereas the V40 will simply replace the current V40 sold on markets overseas.
The company will use their plant in Ghent to build their new compact cars, the same facility where the current V40 and V40 Cross Country models are produced. Another factory that will be used is the one in Luqiao, China, and this one is shared with Lynk & Co.
The company plans to introduce redesigned 60 series models before the launch of the new 40 series. We expect the refreshed XC60 to be the pioneer. The car had its debut at the 2017 Geneva Auto Show.
