by New Generation Volvo XC90 in Development
Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson has confirmed that the company is working on creating a new generation of the flagship XC90 SUV. Despite the existence of a fully electric alternative, the brand is not abandoning hybrid solutions. The current XC90 model was introduced back in 2014, so an update is long overdue.
The new XC90 is expected to receive a plug-in hybrid powertrain, similar to the one that will be used in the upcoming XC70 model for the Chinese market.
“This is something that, in my opinion, the European consumer will want to have,” Samuelsson noted. “Plug-in hybrids with a longer range are a solution that will likely be needed for a few more years.”
Technical Expectations
The new XC90 may get a more powerful battery – up to 40 kWh, providing a range of up to 180 km in electric mode. For comparison, the current XC90 T8 version has a battery of only 18.8 kWh. Such an upgrade will allow Volvo to reduce its average CO2 emissions.
It is not yet known which platform will be used for the new XC90. The current model is based on the outdated SPA architecture, so a transition to a new modular platform from Geely is likely. An adaptation of the SPA 2 platform, used in the electric EX90, is also being considered.
Market conditions have forced Volvo to reconsider its strategy of a full transition to electric vehicles by 2030. The company will keep hybrid models in its lineup longer than initially planned. Furthermore, the brand is changing its production geography to avoid customs restrictions in Europe and North America.
