Could this be the next new V40 S40 and XC40?
Published Date: 20th May 2016
Volvo has released new concept car images called the 40.1 and 40.2, they give us a clear picture of what lies in the future for 40 series.
Unveiled at an event in the Swedish capital Gothenburg, The 40.1 is the compact SUV Crossover set to rival the Audi Q2 and Q3 in the ever growing premium small car segment.
Both of the models preview the joint development work done by Volvo and Geely, its Chinese based owner. The two are based upon the new CMA or Compact Modular Architecture, The new platform has been a team effort between engineers and designers from both firms.
Design Elements
The 40.1 concept takes a familiar slimmed and shortened look that it shares with its much bigger brother the XC90. We see the usual Thor’s hammer headlight style and bold grille found on the XC90 and S90 but with the rear door handle hidden and built into the top rear corner of the frame.
The 40.2 is set to hit an entirely different segment of the market, looking like the usual 4 door family hatchback. There is more however, the increased ride height sloping roof and coupe esque outline makes this family car stand out from the rest with its crossover look. The front is shares the new Volvo look with the rear curved brake lights from the S90.
Engine and Drive
The new cars will get a variety of options including full electric and plug in hybrid available later on. The standard option will be a conventional combustion engine in the form of a three cylinder turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol capable of up to 200bhp. A four cylinder diesel will also join the options.
The Four wheel drive versions will come in the form of the conventional motor driving the front wheels and an all electric rear axle drive on the plug in hybrid and all electric front and rear drive for the purely electric model.
The CMA platform like the larger SPA (Scalable Platform Architecture) that the XC90 and S90 are based, is built from the ground up to accommodate either normal petrol engines and electric front and rear axles with the batteries placed down the centre of the car, giving a low centre of gravity and balance.
The R&D chief Peter Mertens, over at Volvo has always been adamant that when you want an electric/hybrid car you shouldn’t have to be lumped with a bespoke designed body like other manufacturers. “I have said consistently that the EV doesn’t have to be yelling that it is something different,” he said. “We want people to choose the model they want and then, and only then, decide whether they need a combustion engine, plug-in hybrid or pure electric.”