Volvo primes all-electric XC60 EV version of firm’s best-selling car will arrive in 2024 and join XC90 replacement
A
mong the crucial models in development as part of Volvo’s EV onslaught is the all-new, all-electric and all-important successor to the XC60. The SUV has been the Swedish brand’s best-selling car for the past four years running. Due in 2024 to fill the gap
between the XC40 Recharge electric SUV and the longawaited electric replacement for the XC90 SUV coming later this year, the XC60 successor (which will have a name rather than a numerical designation) will play a core role in taking Volvo to its goal of all-out electrification by 2030.
ICE-powered XC60 has been top-selling Volvo since 2018
EVs accounted for just 6.5% of Volvo’s global sales last year (its best on record), but the Swedish company aims to boost that figure to 50% by 2025 on the way to ditching combustion entirely by 2030. A swiftly expanding line-up of EVs, heavy investment in production facilities and new car construction processes will be key to achieving this goal, as Volvo looks to emerge as a front runner among the ‘legacy’ manufacturers going up against Tesla. The BMW iX3 rival will be the first production car to be powered by batteries produced by the new joint venture of Volvo and battery company Northvolt, which is building a new battery factory in Sweden with a view to reaching an annual output of 50GWh by 2026.
It says this will be enough to power 500,000 cars per year, which is well over two-thirds of Volvo’s current overall output. Before that factory opens, Volvo will procure batteries for the XC60 replacement from Northvolt’s existing facility at a rate of 15GWh annually from 2024. Given the popularity of the current combustionengined XC60, Volvo is likely to keep it on sale for a period alongside the new EV. Importantly, it has strongly hinted that the EV will use the same SPA2 architecture as the XC90 successor, which
`
There’s continuous improvement of the tech we’re using for each car a
IMAGE
Electric successor to the XC60 will look more estate-like
JAG SHARES VISION FOR 2020s D-TYPE
MUSTANG SPECIAL COMES TO THE UK
Jaguar has created a 1006bhp EV that you can drive whenever you want. An open-top version of a 2019 coupé concept, the Vision GT Roadster was designed for the latest Gran Turismo video game. It has a stabilising dorsal fin, like the 1950s D-Type.
Ford is bringing a spot of sunshine to Britain with its new Mustang California Edition, which nods to a similar version of the original 1967 muscle car. The £52,105 softtop gets a bespoke black grille, side stripes and optional aero-improving rear scoops.
8 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 16 MARCH 2022
can house both pure-electric and hybrid drivetrains, paving the way for both hybrid and electric versions to share the same design – clues to which were given by the larger Concept Recharge last year. Outgoing Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said: “Our concept car gives an idea of what could come on the same platform,” suggesting that smaller entries to the range will share its minimalist, estateaping silhouette and emphasis on space and practicality. Importantly, Volvo recently committed to replacing its more traditional, lower-slung
