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Next-Gen Volvo V40 to Spawn XC40 Crossover and PHEV

The Volvo V40 has been facelifted in time for the Geneva Motor Show, but Thor’s Hammer headlights won’t suffice. That’s why Volvo is planning to launch an all-new generation of the compact hatchback in the nearest of futures, one that will be sold in the United States as well.
Volvo XC Coupe Concept 11 photos
Photo: Volvo
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According to Hakan Samuelsson, the company’s chief executive officer, the V40 is slated to be replaced by more premium-oriented 40 series models. The first of them will be the V40 compact hatchback, which is expected to get a 1.5-liter Drive-E three-cylinder turbo engine, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant that will use the same three-banger. As for the vehicle architecture, the next-generation V40 will be underpinned by what Volvo calls the CMA (short for Compact Modular Architecture).

Other than the FWD V40, a V40 Cross Country model with AWD will act as the midway model of the 40 series. As for the one that we look forward to the most, Samuelsson has told Automotive News that the 40 series will spawn a crossover model. Tentatively named the XC40, this model is of extreme importance to the Swedish brand considering how hot and crowded the small crossover SUV segment is nowadays.

Just like the 90 series (S90 sedan, V90 wagon, XC90 crossover SUV), the Volvo 40 series is paramount to the renaissance of Volvo. China-based parent company Geely is expecting no less from the Scandinavian goose that lays the golden eggs. If the Volvo XC40 looks anything like the pictured XC Coupe Concept, then I’m willing to bet my two cents the 2018 Volvo XC40 crossover will sell like hot cakes in the U.S.

Until then, it would be best to remember what makes a compact-sized Volvo with go-(almost-)anywhere credentials such an attractive proposition. Follow the link to read our test drive of the V40 Cross Country.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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