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2018 Volvo XC40 Described As Being “a Landmark for Volvo”

After Ford sold Volvo Cars to Chinese company Geely Automobile in 2010, the Swedish automaker experienced a sort of a renaissance. The change of ownership didn’t affect Volvo’s operations. Instead, the Chinese infused the manufacturer with cash, told the higher-ups to up the ante with new models, then left Volvo to mind its own business. The first fruit of Geely-owned Volvo is the second-gen XC90, which is a magnificent mid-size SUV.
Volvo 40.1 Concept (preview for 2018 Volvo XC40) 36 photos
Photo: Volvo
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After the XC90, the Swedish automaker facelifted the V40 hatchback, then debuted the S90 sedan, V90 station wagon, and V90 Cross Country. Next year, Volvo will continue its offensive with the second-generation X60, a compact-sized SUV that’s been snapped in prototype form only recently.

Slated to be based on the Scalable Product Architecture that also underpins the 90 Series, the all-new XC60 will be followed by the successors of the S60 and V60. Be that as it may, Volvo hasn’t forgotten that the 40 Series is in dire need of getting refreshed. In this regard, the manufacturer is developing an all-new platform dubbed Compact Modular Architecture. Previewed by the 40.1 Concept, the first production model of the next-gen 40 Series will come in the form of the XC40 compact crossover, which is due in early 2018.

This confirmation comes from Peter Mertens, Volvo’s R&D boss, who had a chat with Autocar at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Described by Mr. Mertens as “a landmark for Volvo,” the XC40 will be accompanied by an all-new generation of the V40 hatchback and an all-new S40 sedan. The decision to launch the 2018 Volvo XC40 compact-sized crossover right up front comes as a consequence of customer shift to crossovers and sport utility vehicles.

Slated to take on the likes of the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, the 2018 Volvo XC40 will be offered with a choice of powertrains. At the top of the food chain, customers will have the XC40 T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid model, which is expected to integrate a 1.5-liter three-pot turbo and an electric motor. The CMA platform will also spawn an EV in 2019.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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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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