Volvo compact concepts riding on all-new global architecture
Volvo has unveiled a pair of concepts that ride on a new compact architecture it plans to roll out with gasoline, hybrid and battery electric drivetrains.
The new 40 series concepts "demonstrate for the first time how Volvo plans to expand into the large and lucrative global market for premium small cars with a range of vehicles that combine bold exterior and interior design with industry-leading connectivity, electrification and autonomous drive technologies," the automaker said.
The new concepts will be the first built around the brand's new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA).
"CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars," Volvo senior vice-president on design Thomas Ingenlath said in a statement.
"They have an energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out among the crowd. This is the flavour of small Volvos to come."
Volvo's new global small car range will include battery electric and plug-in hybrid versions of the vehicles riding on the CMA, in line with the company's commitment to electrifying its entire portfolio.
The automaker hopes to sell one million electrified vehicles globally by 2025.
"By taking a modular approach to both vehicle architecture and powertrain development we have succeeded in leap-frogging many of the players in the premium segment," Volvo senior vice-president of research and development, Dr. Peter Mertens, said.
"Our new battery electric powertrain variant opens yet another exciting chapter in the unfolding Volvo story."
Volvo said the new CMA-based vehicles will also offer a full range of innovative connectivity services, as well as "the world's most advanced standard package of safety features."
The automaker said its small car strategy is an "essential element" of its global operation and financial transformation plan it hopes will "reposition the brand to compete with its global premium competitors within the next four years."
