Currently reading: All-new XC90 confirmed for 2014
Volvo confirms plans to replace its big seven-seat SUV after 13 years; Audi Q3 rival could follow if a platform partner can be found

Volvo has confirmed 
that it will launch a new XC90 in 2014, some 13 years after the original first went into production.

The new luxury SUV will be the first model built on the new SPA (Scaleable Platform Architecture) that will underpin the next generation of its S60, V70, XC60 and 
S80 models.

The new XC90 will also use Volvo’s new generation of downsized, four-cylinder VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture) engines, all of which will be available in petrol and diesel forms.

The company recently released a series of teaser renderings of the next XC90, each distinctly different. The boldest of these features the wide grille design that made its debut on the Concept Universe saloon at the 2011 Shanghai motor show shortly after Volvo was bought by Geely.

The other designs included a rakish, elegantly wedged XC90, together with two more evolutionary proposals. There is no clue yet as to which design Volvo will pursue, but the next XC90 is expected to be at least as practical as the original but with a more luxurious interior.

The new XC90 will also be offered as a plug-in hybrid, using hardware that Volvo has co-developed with Siemens.

Insiders have also revealed to Autocar that the Swedish firm would like to develop a small SUV to go up against the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

However, that plan is currently a distant one because Volvo doesn’t have a small-car platform on which to build it. The just-released V40 is based on architecture from Volvo’s previous owner, Ford, and it won’t be used again for any all-new Volvo models.

Volvo has announced its desire to find a new partner and, according to insiders, is in daily talks with other car makers to address this major strategic initiative. Volvo has set up a new department to handle alliances with other makers and believes that its safety lead and its new-found expertise in plug-in hybrids provide it with attractive technologies that it can trade for a new platform.

The new small SUV would 
be in addition to the XC40 version of the just-released V40 (see separate story, below right), and could appear by the middle of the decade if a suitable platform can be found within the next 12 months.

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The Volvo XC90 is a big seven seat SUV in desperate need of modernisation, despite still having some strengths

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xxxx 12 June 2012

Better late than never

Not sure if their new-found expertise in plug-in hybrids will be of much use in a trade off as Mercedes, BMW, VW, Toyota, GM, Ford, Nissan, Honda, Renault and others already have some form of battery power or are about to release a model.   Maybe Kia or Hyundai??? 

At at the moment  I don’t think Volvo have a single Hybrid model for sale in the UK.

 

 

 

 

Volvophile 12 June 2012

Alex Kersten wrote: Volvo has

Alex Kersten wrote:

Volvo has confirmed 
that it will launch a new XC90 in 2014, some 13 years after the original first went into production.

13 years prior to 2014 makes that 2001.  The first XC90's were not delivered until at least January/February 2003, so stating a 13 year production run is pushing it a bit.