Photo: Volvo
Besides the Scalable Product Architecture which underpins their new XC90 SUV, the guys at Volvo are working on another new platform at the moment. It's called the C-segment Modular Architecture (CMA) and will sit under at least two new cars.
The first will be a new generation of the V40 hatchback. The current generation is loosely based on the Ford Focus and offers more premium features in order to compete with Mercedes-Benz's A-Class and BMW's 1 Series.
It's proven quite popular and Volvo will use the CMA platform to launch a new one round about 2016, just four years after the current model came out.
The CMA's other big job will be to underpin a small SUV called the XC40. Even though it's been rumored for a long time, this posh new model will only be ready in 2018. By that time, the market will be occupied by a new BMW X1 that's based on the new MINI platform the new Audi Q3 based on the MQB and two models from Mercedes, the GLA and GLB.
"It's a very natural choice for Volvo. You then have a very nice lineup: XC90, XC60, XC40. Small SUVs, that’s where you see the growth. You see it overall downsizing, so I see big business in the future as it is now, but continuing for the C [segment] premium end of the market. We see that shift, we see sedans going into SUVs," says Kerssemakers.
What will a Volvo rival for the BMW X1 look like? Probably a lot like the XC Coupe concept of 2013, itself a partial preview of the XC90.
The V40 and XC40 will both get plug-in motors, most likely based on four-cylinder turbo units. the Swedish company official told said that “25 per cent of our total volume is filled with plug-in hybrids, depending on the country.”
But the cherry of this report has to be that Kerssemakers said the CMA platform could even be used to make a new C30: "yes, we are free to do whatever we want.” It's by no means a certainty, but we're hopeful that Volvo has the money to revive one of the most interesting 3-door hatchback ever made.
It's proven quite popular and Volvo will use the CMA platform to launch a new one round about 2016, just four years after the current model came out.
A BMW X1 Rival from Ikea
Speaking to Volvo senior vice president Lex Kerssemakers at the Paris Motor Show, Australian magazine CarAdvice has learned about the company's future plans in the compact segment.The CMA's other big job will be to underpin a small SUV called the XC40. Even though it's been rumored for a long time, this posh new model will only be ready in 2018. By that time, the market will be occupied by a new BMW X1 that's based on the new MINI platform the new Audi Q3 based on the MQB and two models from Mercedes, the GLA and GLB.
"It's a very natural choice for Volvo. You then have a very nice lineup: XC90, XC60, XC40. Small SUVs, that’s where you see the growth. You see it overall downsizing, so I see big business in the future as it is now, but continuing for the C [segment] premium end of the market. We see that shift, we see sedans going into SUVs," says Kerssemakers.
What will a Volvo rival for the BMW X1 look like? Probably a lot like the XC Coupe concept of 2013, itself a partial preview of the XC90.
Plug-in hybrids to represent 25% of V40 and XC40 sales
Volvo is technically the first premium company to offer plug-in versions of its normal cars. They are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions without compromising performance and have even made a PHEV the top-spec motor for the XC90, which is their flagship.The V40 and XC40 will both get plug-in motors, most likely based on four-cylinder turbo units. the Swedish company official told said that “25 per cent of our total volume is filled with plug-in hybrids, depending on the country.”
But the cherry of this report has to be that Kerssemakers said the CMA platform could even be used to make a new C30: "yes, we are free to do whatever we want.” It's by no means a certainty, but we're hopeful that Volvo has the money to revive one of the most interesting 3-door hatchback ever made.
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