Volvo previews new 40 Series including XC40 SUV

Volvo drops the veil on two new concepts, previewing the company's future 40 Series models including the all new XC40 SUV. 

Volvo has unveiled two new concepts previewing its future 40 Series models. As reported earlier, one of the concepts (dubbed V40.1) will form base of the all-new XC40 compact-SUV while the other shows glimpse of a jacked-up small sedan/liftback – Volvo is calling it the V40.2.

Of the two concepts shown, the compact-SUV is expected to hit the production line first, sometime around 2017. As can be seen in the images, the XC40’s design is inspired by the company’s flagship XC90 SUV and the soon-to-be-launched S90 sedan. The V40.2 concept on the other hand features a liftback-sedan silhouette. Both the cars will be underpinned by Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which is co-developed with Geely Motors.

When launched, expect to see the company’s new three- and four-cylinder Drive-E engines on the XC40. A plug-in hybrid powertrain mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission is also going to be introduced. The compact-SUV will come in both front- and rear-wheel drive layout.  The V40.2 will be powered by an all-electric powertrain and will only have a front-wheel drive layout. Volvo’s new 40 Series range will also push sales of the company’s electrified vehicles. That’s because Volvo plans to sell up to one million electrified cars by 2025 globally.

Commenting on the development, Håkan Samuelsson, President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars, said: “The new 40 series cars have the potential to improve our market penetration in an important growing segment. An electric powertrain program, including both a new compact Twin Engine plug-in hybrid as well as a pure electric car, are central to the CMA architecture.”

The Volvo XC40 will compete against established rivals like the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. Given the popularity of this segment of cars in India, Volvo is likely to bring the new SUV to our market soon after its global launch.

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