Volvo’s Q3 competition spotted – India-bound

There is lots of activity at Volvo in Gothenburg . Then there are not only are the S90 and V90 models waiting around the corner, a new generation of the 40-series is also on its way and perhaps the most exciting of the 40-series is the little SUV XC40 where we now have the first pictures of a mule out testing. This is much higher than the V40 Cross, and Andreas (the person who shot it) states that this is the XC40.

Volvo has recently launched the brand’s new SPA platform that underpins the new XC90 as well as the upcoming S90 and V90 which next year will replace the current S80 and V70. A platform that is completely adapted to Volvo’s recent philosophy in the automobile and powertrain development, including support for electrification. But Volvo is working with another platform (actually two if we count the BMA which is supposed to be used by Geely). While the SPA is intended for larger models, the new and smaller CMA platform will form the basis for the next generation of C-Segment models (Golf class size), in other words, the replacement for today’s V40.

2017 is the year when the first cars on the CMA platform will hit the market, and most likely it will be in the model called the XC40 basically the SUV version of the new V40. And that XC40 is what our photos are showing. This is still a mule hidden under a slightly shorter V40 body of the current model. But as you can see there are two things that caught our attention, first it is the higher ground clearance. This mule is riding a lot higher than a regular V40, even in the Cross Country version. Second of all we see that the car´s wheelbase has been changed slightly. If you look at the rear door you see a seam showing that the length has been changed.

But on these photos we think it’s hard to see if its slightly shorter or longer.

With the XC40, Volvo is aiming for Audi, BMW and Mercedes in the car class that is becoming more popular. With the XC40, Volvo will go after customers who usually would go for the Audi Q3, the BMW X1 or the Mercedes GLA. The design of the XC40 will be nothing like on this mule, but it´s not a wild guess that it will have some resemblance to the XC90 and the upcoming S/V90. Expect some wide ranges of both small and efficient petrol and diesel engines as well as plug-in versions when the XC40 hits the dealerships in early 2017.