cars news 10: Volvo Concepts Preview Upcoming 40 Series Entry-Level Models

After days of teasing via Snapchat, Volvo has finally unveiled its two new concept cars, the 40.1 and 40.2, which preview the upcoming entry-level 40 Series models that will slot under the next-generation 60 Series. Underpinned by the CMA platform, which Volvo co-developed with parent company Geely, the Concept 40.1 and 40.2 preview the upcoming XC40 crossover and a new compact sedan, respectively.

Built specifically for smaller cars, the CMA platform will be able to accommodate powertrains ranging from standard gas and diesel engines to plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles, all of which will be part of Volvo’s small car lineup. The CMA platform is part of Volvo’s ambitious growth plan that will reposition it to compete with key luxury rivals within four years’ time.

Volvo Concept 40 1 top view rear three quarter

“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,” said Dr. Peter Mertens, Volvo’s senior vice president for research and development, in a release. “Our new battery electric powertrain variant opens yet another exciting chapter in the unfolding Volvo story.”

In 2019, Volvo will launch a pure electric vehicle that will ride on the larger SPA platform and it will be followed by a smaller one based on the CMA platform. The automaker also revealed a front-drive plug-in hybrid powertrain called the T5 Twin Engine, which combines a three-cylinder engine and a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission that’s been coupled to an electric motor. Expect the T5 Twin Engine to debut in production form on a CMA-based vehicle.

Designers were able to give the 40.1 and 40.2 concepts more extroverted exteriors thanks to the CMA platform being tailored toward small vehicles. According to Volvo’s senior vice president of design, Thomas Ingenlath, each member of the automaker’s product family “will have its own distinct character, just like the member of a real family.” Ingenlath continued on by stating that “CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars. They have an energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out amongst the crowd. This is the flavour of small Volvos to come”

Like the larger 90 Series, Volvo’s 40 Series will also come with unique connectivity services and a host of advanced active safety features as standard. Expect the 40 Series vehicles to come with Pilot Assist, adaptive cruise control, City Safety, pedestrian detection, large animal detection, and cyclist detection as part of a comprehensive suite of autonomous driving technologies.

Volvo T5 Twin Engine hybridised 7 speed Dual Clutch Transmission

Volvo Concept 40 2 top view rear three quarter

“The new 40 series cars have the potential to improve our market penetration in an important growing segment,” said Volvo president and chief executive Håkan Samuelsson. “An electric powertrain program including both a new compact Twin Engine plug-in hybrid as well as a pure electric car are central to the CMA architecture.”

The first CMA-based 40 Series Volvo will go into production in 2017 and it will likely be the XC40 small crossover that will slot below the next-gen XC60. A second sedan model will follow after the XC40, and while you might think Volvo would resurrect the S40 nameplate, Samuelsson said in a round table discussion that the car may not have an “S” designation. Interestingly, the video below shows that the concept has cut lines for a hatch instead of a traditional trunk.

What do you think of Volvo’s new compact concepts? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Volvo