Volvo has unveiled its latest plans for a global small car strategy with the concepts 40.1 and 40.2. These concepts represent Volvo’s intentions to enter the premium small car market with a potential preview of potential future XC40 and S40 models.
MAY 19th 2016
Meet The Future Of Volvo
Both cars run on the new bespoke modular CMA platform that is to underpin the new ‘small car cluster’, developed from the get-go to accommodate a new all-electric powertrain as well as the efficient new T5 Twin Engine hybrid powertrain. Power is channelled through a new seven-speed transmission directing drive to the front wheels, as opposed to the AWD architecture seen on Volvo's larger Twin Engine offerings.
Stylistically the concepts clearly exhibit an exaggerated attitude that is characteristic of the segment that they wish to enter, with a more youthful demographic as the target. They also continue to build upon the clean and handsome well established styling language we’ve already seen on the XC90, S90 and V90. Both concepts have a relative crossover stature. 40.2 employs a slightly lower ride height than the 40.1, which evokes a bulkier more traditional SUV aesthetic, whilst 40.2 seems to employ a sedan silhouette.
Volvo says the 40 series cars should see production in 2017 and are to significantly contribute to their ambitions to increase yearly sales to 800,000 units, building upon the success of the new XC90 and upcoming S90 and V90 models. From what we’ve seen thus far, Volvo are undeniably on a role with this new product charge.

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