Volvo has revealed a pair of concepts that preview its future small car range due in early 2018.
Called Concept 40.1 and 40.2, the pair mark the official launch of Volvo’s global small-car strategy that will be underpinned by the Chinese-owned Swedish car-maker’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform and include optional full electric or plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
The S40 will replace the V40 hatch and another in the 40 series will be the XC40 crossover.
The XC 40 comes into the marketplace against a growing number of premium compact SUV rivals including the Audi Q2 and Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Mini Countryman and the upcoming Infiniti QX30.
The S40 will battle Audi’s popular A3 sedan and Benz’s CLA, as well as small sedan that are expected from BMW and Lexus in the coming years.
Volvo has already announced plans to sell one million electric vehicles globally by 2025, and the 40-series models will be offered with both a pure battery electric powertrain and a Twin Engine plug-in hybrid system.
The T5 hybrid will differ from the all-wheel drive T8 system found in the XC90 SUV, with a three-cylinder petrol engine matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels.
With these being concept cars, the performance and fuel economy figures are yet to be released and Volvo is also yet to make public the details of the full battery-electric vehicle drivetrain.
From the B-pillar forward, the two concepts look similar, highlighted by the company’s signature Thor’s hammer LED daytime running lights and wide grille.
Volvo says the 40-series will be offered with a “full range” of connectivity services, “the world’s most advanced standard package of safety features” and Scandinavian interior design. Let’s hope they haven’t used IKEA to do the driving d้cor!
