As Volvo plans to become a fully electric car company by 2030, a new report states that a Volvo XC70 equivalent EV is under development for a planned launch sometime in late-2024 or 2025.
Volvo XC70 EV Equivalent Details
According to a report on Automotive News, the project is codenamed Volvo V546, and the size of the electric SUV is between the XC60 and XC90 models. It is to be noted that right now, we are referring to this model as the ‘Volvo XC70 EV equivalent’ as its working title. However, Volvo no longer plans to name new products with numbers or even use the ‘XC’ nameplate. Hakan Samuelsson, CEO of Volvo Cars, said in July 2021 that the brand would start calling its cars with proper names instead of alphanumerics.
Volvo XC70 EV Equivalent Platform & Manufacturing
The Swedes have two platform choices for the Volvo V546: the SPA 2, a ‘skateboard’ optimized for a roomy cabin, or parent Geely’s SEA 1 architecture, which Volvo says they will use for some products (especially for entry-level EVs like the XC20). The former is a stronger possibility as the American plant, that will manufacture this SUV, is being tooled to produce SPA 2 products starting this year (Polestar 3 and Volvo Embla).
Before the XC70 EV, Volvo will launch the all-electric XC90 equivalent, which is reported to be named Volvo Embla. Image of the Volvo Recharge Concept courtesy of Volvo.
More interesting is that the Volvo XC70 EV could be the next Volvo to adopt a new manufacturing process using ‘mega casting.’ This essentially means that major components of the car can be produced as a single aluminum part instead of hundreds of smaller pieces, which makes the manufacturing process more efficient and ultimately would result in cost savings.
In an interview, Mikael Fermér, Volvo’s vehicle platform architect, told Autocar.co.uk that it would help designers better use space inside the cabin and allow them to ‘tightly’ sculpt the vehicle. This can potentially lower the seating by up to 15 mm, which can lower the roofline and improve the aerodynamics of the EV, ultimately increasing the range of the Volvo electric car.
Fermér mentions that this type of manufacturing can lead to design flexibility for the brand allowing for an optimized design for every bodystyle using the process. It should be noted that Tesla uses mega-casting as a process for the Model Y already. It is also environmentally sustainable as there will be 100 percent material utilization, and parts that are cut out will be put back into a furnace to be used again.
Fermér said that the first vehicle to benefit from this manufacturing technique had not been presented externally yet (not revealed as a concept yet) but confirmed a 2025 debut.
With the new mega-casting process, designers could optimize the aerodynamics of the EV, further improving its range. Image of the Volvo Recharge Concept courtesy of Volvo.
Volvo, for now, has announced mega-casting only for the Torslanda plant, which is its largest one. The firm will invest USD 1.085 billion towards the upgradation. Still, given how this manufacturing technique influences the design of the EVs, we wouldn’t be surprised if other Volvo production network sites (in the USA, Belgium, and China) also benefit from this upgrade.
Made in USA
According to Automotive News, the V546 will be produced at Volvo’s North Charleston facility in South Carolina, which the company eventually targets to be EV exclusive, and at a facility in China (undisclosed). Volvo plans on making 100,000 units of this EV per annum globally, with an estimated split favoring China (60 percent) while the USA takes 40 percent.
South Carolina will also make the Polestar 3 and was announced in June 2021 to get an investment of USD 118 million to expand the facility. The plant would also have to support Volvo and Polestar EVs exports to other global markets.
Volvo XC70 EV Equivalent FAQs
What is the Volvo V546 release date?
The Volvo XC70 Equivalent EV should be launched sometime in 2025. Note that it would use an entirely different name.
What are the rivals to the Volvo V546?
Rivals to the Volvo XC70 Equivalent EV could include the likes of the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX, next-gen Mercedes EQC, and the Audi Q6 e-tron.
Featured Image – Volvo
Keyword: Volvo XC70 EV equivalent to be launched in 2025 – Report