Volvo 40 Series Concepts previewed, to go into production in 2016

MANILA: Volvo has been in want for an entry-level crossover and sedan in its portfolio for a relatively longer time. As a result, the Swedish automaker has now unveiled two new concept cars, that will probably make it into production as the company's contenders in the aforementioned segments. Named the Volvo 40 Series compact concept cars, these new previewed vehicles also showcase the company's future plans to implement a new design language across all models, which is a departure from the present design philosophy that is often termed as plain and unexciting.

Both the showcased Volvo concepts have been built on the company's recently developed Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, which was specifically designed and engineered for Volvo small cars. Once these cars come into production, Volvo will be expanding the new platform to underpin more upcoming cars.

The two concept cars previewed by the automaker are 40.1 and 40.2. While the Volvo 40.1 concept is a crossover vehicle, which will likely go into production as the new XC40, the other 40.2 concept will be used to revive the long discontinued S40 sedan moniker. This concept has an all-electric driving range of around 350 km. Both these cars will help Volvo achieve its aim of selling up to 1 million electrified cars in the world, by the year 2025.

In terms of design, both these Volvo cars have been given a bold exterior, while the interior has been given a futuristic touch. They are also built using stronger sheet metal, that helps in keeping the occupants safe in case of a crash. The Volvo 40.1 gets an all-black roof, sharply kinked rear windscreen, black thin body cladding, and L-Shaped LED taillights. The front of both cars get Volvo's signature grille, while the company's new 'Thor Hammer' LED taillights too look ecstatic.

Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design, at Volvo Car Group, while talking about these new cars, commented that, “Each member of our product family has its own distinct character, just like the members of a real family. CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars. They have energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out amongst the crowd. This is the flavour of small Volvos to come.”

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