Volvo would like to build a bespoke XC40 compact SUV, but any such model is up to five years away, say company sources, becuase there is no suitable platform available.
The Chinese-owned company has designed a bespoke platform, known as the SPA (Scaleable Platform Architecture), which is due to be rolled out late next year under the replacement for the Volvo XC90. However, the smallest model based on the SPA is likely to be the next-gen Volvo S60.
Volvo insiders say an XC40 would “fit the brand and sell in numbers”. In recent times, the company’s best-selling models have been the Volvo XC90 and Volvo XC60. With downsizing trends across the world, and the success of models such as the Audi Q3 and Range Rover Evoque, the absence of an XC40 is a significant gap in Volvo’s line-up. Future Cross Country models will simply be rugged versions of existing road cars, whereas XC models will be bespoke SUVs.
More details have also emerged about the engineering behind the SPA. It is constructed in five sections, with the section roughly between the centre of the front wheels and the A-pillars — which carries the engine and transmission — being the same size on all models underpinned by the platform.
Volvo sources confirmed that the SPA will be able to accommodate both mechanical four-wheel drive and electrically driven rear axles for hybrid versions. The SPA will only take Volvo’s all-new four-cylinder engines.
Autocar has also learned that Volvo and its owner Geely are preparing to launch a mid-market brand. Geely is positioned as the budget brand and Volvo the global premium nameplate. As yet it is unclear whether the mid-market brand will be for China only or offered globally.
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Just been thinking, the
Just been thinking, the Freelander, Evoque and the XC60 all use the same platform, as does the current S60, if Volvos new platform is too big to compete with the Evoque, but will accomodate the next gen S60, it obviously means the next S/V60 are destined to be larger than the current ones, which in turn means the V70/S80 (S/V90) will grow as well.
I also suspect as is current trend the Evoque 2 will grow as well, this story makes sense at all the V40 is loosely based on the Focus 3 platform therefore and XC40 is likely to also be of a similar size, the Evoque et al are on the Ford EUCD/Volvo P3 platform, JLR dont currently make anything smaller than the Evoque, so why would a smaller XC40 be its rival when clearly the XC60 is.
Love the peole rubbishing
Love the peole rubbishing Volvo, look at the figures, they outsold JLR last year, the media love to say how amazing the sales of the wonderful evoque are, but fail to mention the XC60 which has the same underpinnings was only a couple of thousand short of it.
JLR's sales are mainly due to its 4x4/SUV's from Landrover and Rangerover, with Jaguar being the poor relation, Volvo only have 2 SUV's the XC60 and the ancient XC90, but still out sell JLR, meaning they are obviously doing something right.
The next generation of Volvo designed and built vehicles with Volvo designed and built engines are going to very good, and far better than the Ford derived current range, and with developement on handling and performance being done by Polestar, they will ride and perform far better as well, the future is bright for Volvo.
Yes they need to find a partner for a small range of vehicles, but so what, look at VAG - Skoda/Seat/Audi/VW all sharing the same oily bits, Mercedes are joining Renault, BMW mini engines are designed in conjunction with PSA, Toyota joined PSA for the Aygo, VW tied up with Mitsubishi for the Outlander, partnerships happen all the time, its nothing new, and how long is it taking Jaguar to role out new product, still waiting for the 3 series rival, they have only just got around to making a limited range of XF estates, and that must be due for replacement soon, oh and dont forget until recently the Freelander was only available in America with Volvo's I6 engine, an engine that was originally designed by Volvo for use by Jaguar as well, until Jaguar decided to stick with the poorer, less reliable Ford V6.
Citytiger wrote: The next
Lets hope thats true. I would love to buy a Volvo. I really like the designs and interiors of the new crop of cars. Their vehicle safety is also really impressive. Their crash test results show its much more than just marketing... the new S60 seems to ace every safety test thrown at it... but (imo) it is so horrible to drive... far off from the quality of everything else I have driven, save for that Chrysler 300 I had the misfortune of hiring in the States.
Volvo were in fact leaders in
Volvo were in fact leaders in areas of design packaging and safety helping to create the platform that spread across Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Land Rover.
They also did look at scale model concepts around the Evoque style car (New York 2003) as far back as 1999 when created but it was decided to stick to Saloon, Estate, Hatch and Cabrio. Shame as they could have been to market at the same time or before as Land Rover with an evoque style car. History is littered with car sthat should have been