THE NEW Volvo XC40, Volvo’s new compact SUV, has finally been revealed as Volvo take aim at the more compact premium SUV market.
Volvo has made quite an impact with its new 90 Series cars – XC90, V90 and S90 – and it’s starting to do the same with the first of the new 60 Series cars too – the new Volvo XC60. But the car which will potentially explode sales for Volvo is the new compact SUV – the Volvo XC40.
The Volvo XC40 has been on its way for some time, and we’ve not only had the original concepts of the new XC40 and S40 but we’ve also had a, slightly left-field, set of teases too.
Underpinned by Volvo’s new compact platform – and sharing much with the new Lynk and Co cars – the XC40 looks set to offer a real challenge to cars like the Range Rover Evoque, with Volvo’s very Swedish take on ‘Premium’.
Volvo has already declared that much of the technology from the new 90 and 60 Series cars will find its way in to the XC40, and it will also see Volvo’s 1.5 litre three-cylinder take on their Drive E engines arrive.
They will be available in diesel and petrol guises, but perhaps the most interesting will be the XC40 T5 Twin Engine, mating a 1.5 litre three-pot Drive-E engine to an electric motor to deliver as much as 200bhp, as well as an electric XC40 in the offing too.
Volvo will be delivering the XC40 in Momentum, R-Design and Inscription trim levels, with the Momentum aimed at funky younger buyers, the Inscription at older buyers looking for luxury and the R-Design at those wanting a ‘sporty’ XC40.
