Volvo has well and truly shifted from the sensible wagon car company to fully embracing SUVs and the range looks set to get even bigger.
According to an Automotive News report, the Chinese-owned Swedish brand is set to slot a new all-electric crossover in between its existing XC60 mid-sizer and the XC90 large SUV.
The report states that the new EV will be built at its Charleston, South Carolina plant from 2025 as well as at one of Volvo’s factories in China from 2024.
It’s unclear what name the model will be given, but it could resurrect the old XC70 moniker that was used for the jacked-up version of the V70 wagon, or adopt XC80.
C70 or C80 could also be in the mix given the recent introduction of the C40 name for the coupe-style crossover that sits alongside the XC40. Given Volvo is reportedly changing from alpha-numeric to alpha with the next XC90, which is set to be called Embla, it could adopt a new name altogether.
Whatever it will be called, the new model will be based on a new electric platform, likely the next generation of Scalable Product Architecture (SPA2), and feature advanced driver assist features for semi-autonomous driving.
The next-generation versions of the XC60 and XC90 are also expected to be based on SPA2, with fully electric versions to be made available.
Given the expected size and positioning, the new Volvo EV model could be a new rival for the just-launched BMW iX, upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQE, and the Audi e-tron Sportback, as well as models from mainstream rivals like the Volkswagen ID.5, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Nissan Ariya.
Design wise, expect it to take cues from last year’s striking Concept Recharge. The XC90 replacement is also expected to have a design inspired by the sleek concept.
Volvo has previously announced plans to drop internal combustion engines and become an EV-only brand by 2030. It already sells the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric small SUV and that will be joined in Australia by the coupe-style C40 Pure Electric later this year.
The company recently announced it would invest 10 billion Swedish Krona ($A1.5bn) in its Swedish manufacturing hub to ramp up EV production, as well as significant investment with Northvolt to build its own batteries.
Keyword: Make room! New electric crossover to slot in between Volvo XC60 and XC90 SUVs in 2024 to rival BMW iX, Audi e-tron - report