For the duration of this week’s huge reveal occasion for the 2016 Volvo XC90, we stumbled across Volvo’s ambitious solution plans for the subsequent 4 years—and beyond. Really, we didn’t so much as stumble across them as we had been shown them: Buried in a presentation slide covering XC90 specifics, and visible for much less than half a minute, was a tiny chart showing what Volvo has planned subsequent. This happy accident immediately produced the classroom session magnitudes more fascinating.
We already knew that the XC90 would spearhead the company’s self-described rebirth, but we now know what the entire litter will sooner or later contain. Here’s what we discovered:
Volvo is planning on creating 9 core models more than 3 essential model lines: the 40-, 60-, and 90-series. Every single group will consist of a sedan, a wagon, and an SUV/crossover. Today, Volvo’s global lineup includes the non-U.S. compact V40 wagon an S60 sedan, V60 wagon, and XC60 crossover the bigger S80 sedan, Euro-marketplace V70 wagon, and XC70 off-road wagon and ultimately, the new XC90. At the moment, only the 60-series is totally fleshed out as per program.
The new data indicates that the S80 and V70—Volvo’s aging “flagship” duo—will be replaced by a large-mid-size S90 with a V90 wagon counterpart previewed by the gorgeous Idea Estate. The 60-series rides will stay Volvo’s mid-size offerings, while the 40-series line appears to regain an S40 sedan (which has been dead because 2012) and get an all-new XC40 compact crossover. All of these models, we’re told, have the possible for global sale. Yes, that signifies the U.S., also.
We expect the beautiful Concept Estate to achieve an further set of doors to become the production V90, but Volvo must otherwise leave the factor alone.
All of the fresh models in the new 60- and 90-series family will use Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), a shared modular platform that, days ago, made its debut beneath the 2016 XC90. All of the SPA-primarily based cars will bow by 2017 or 2018, and the S90 should be the subsequent major product launch. The 40 group will, by the end of the decade, have switched entirely onto Volvo’s CMA architecture, a compact front-drive platform in co-development with the Swedes’ Chinese Geely overlords. We do not anticipate Volvo will introduce the S40 sedan or the XC40 crossover before the new CMA platform is ready, but it is attainable that the automaker could quickly-track the 2 new 40 cars employing the current V40′s pre-CMA underpinnings.
In addition to understanding of Volvo’s new-model proliferation, we also got a taste of what those cars may possibly appear like. In an interview with Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo’s recently acquired chief designer, during the XC90 reveal occasion, we were told that each and every new Volvo going forward will share its simple “face” with the XC90, but each car will wear individualized styling tailored to its size and price. This holds wonderful guarantee for the brand, since the formal-searching XC90 is really handsome. Ingenlath seemed eager to apply some of the hotness discovered on the Concept Estate and Idea Coupe show properties to production Volvos. Correct on.
Introducing new little automobiles right here in the U.S. is critical for Volvo, which demands one thing affordable—and sexy—both to attract younger buyers and to compete with the new crop of entry-level vehicles from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. On the other finish of the spectrum, Volvo desperately needs a fantastic S90 to give its 60-series customers a bigger and more sumptuous car to upgrade to instead of abandoning ship for one more brand. It’s definitely an thrilling time in Gothenburg, and we are extremely significantly seeking forward to seeing these plans unfold.
Swede Strategy, Bro: Volvo Plans New Compact Crossover and Sedan, Luxe 90-Series Models
