VOLVO has unveiled not one but two new Volvo 40 series concept cars to launch its new its global small-car strategy – and the first, likely to be an XC40, is due to go into production next year.
They demonstrate how Volvo plans to expand into the large and lucrative global market for premium small cars with a range of vehicles that combine bold exterior and interior design with industry-leading connectivity, electrification and autonomous drive technologies.
Volvo’s new global small-car range will include a pure-battery electric vehicle as well as Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain variants, in line with the company’s commitment to the electrification of its entire portfolio. Volvo plans to have sold a total of up to one million electrified cars by 2025 globally.
The new concept cars will be the first built around Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which has been specially created for smaller cars and freed the designers and engineers to explore bold new directions.
Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo’s senior vice president for design, said: “Each member of our product family has its own distinct character, just like the members of a real family. CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars. They have an energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out among the crowd.
“This is the flavour of small Volvos to come.”
Dr Peter Mertens, senior vice president, research & development, added: “By taking a modular approach to both vehicle architecture and powertrain development, we have succeeded in leap-frogging many of the players in the premium segment.
“Our new battery electric powertrain variant opens yet another exciting chapter in the unfolding Volvo story.”
On top of their daring exterior design and electrified powertrain options, the new cars will also offer a full range of innovative connectivity services, plus the world’s most advanced standard package of safety features and ground-breaking Scandinavian interior design.
Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars, added: “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.”