Volvo’s outgoing CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, said: “Our concept car gives an idea of what could come on the same platform”, suggesting that the smaller entries in the range will share its singular minimalist silhouette and the focus on space and practicality.
Importantly, Volvo has recently committed to replacing its more traditional, lower station wagons while giving its SUVs a more traditional two-box shape, bringing all of its models closer in design.
As to why Volvo is launching a purely EV version of its best-selling model after the Volvo XC40 and Volvo XC90, chief financial officer Björn Annwall explained that this is partly related to the life cycle of existing cars.
He said: “We launched the XC90 before the XC60, while we considered upgrading the XC90, then we concluded ‘let’s make it fully electric’.”
It will also allow the XC60 to be electrified in the most economical way possible.
Annwall explained: “There is continuous improvement in the technology we use for each of the cars, and even more important is to have a fully competitive situation when it comes to the XC60. It’s easier to do it if it’s a bit later.
Along with the inevitable ties in battery, powertrain and construction between the XC90 and XC60 successors, Annwall’s remarks suggest the smaller electric SUV will also receive high-level autonomous and connectivity features as standard, thanks lidar sensors provided by Luminar and “autonomous driving”. computer” from software giant Nvidia.
The collision avoidance potential of this technology, which will be updated over the air, will help Volvo achieve its stated goal of eliminating fatal accidents. It will also allow the integration of a new Highway Pilot function for autonomous driving on highways where it is legal.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-05 23:01:24
