5 minute read
New Volvo SUV Electric successor to XC60 due 2024
from sin46th magzus.org
by Thomas Swift
Volvo primes all-electric XC60
Advertisement
Among 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.
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 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
ICE-powered XC60 has been top-selling Volvo since 2018
IMAGE
Electric successor to the XC60 will look more estate-like
JAG SHARES VISION FOR 2020s D-TYPE
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.
MUSTANG SPECIAL COMES TO THE UK
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.
Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson explained that Concept Recharge concept points to forthcoming EVs
estates while also making its SUVs a more traditional two-box shape, bringing all of its models more closely in line, design-wise.
As for why Volvo is launching a pure-EV version of its biggest-selling model after the XC40 and XC90, CFO Björn Annwall explained that it is partly to do with the life cycles of the existing cars.
He said: “We launched the XC90 prior to the XC60, so as we looked at upgrading the XC90, we then concluded ‘let’s make it fully electric’ . ”
This will also allow for the XC60 to be electrified as cost-effectively as possible.
Annwall explained: “There’s continuous improvement of the technology we’re using for each of the cars, and then it’s even more important to have a fully cost-competitive situation when we come to the XC60. It’s easier to do that if it’s a little bit later. ”
Aside from the inevitable links in battery, powertrain and construction between the XC90 and XC60 successors, Annwall’s remarks suggest the smaller electric SUV will also receivehigh-levelautonomous and connectivity functions as standard, courtesy of lidar sensors supplied by Luminar and an “autonomous driving computer” from software giant Nvidia.
The collision-avoidance potential of this technology, which will be updated over the air, will help Volvo on the way to achieving its self-set goal of eliminating fatal crashes.
It will also enable the integration of a new Highway Pilot function for autonomous driving on motorways where this is legal. FELIX PAGE
C O M P A C T ‘ X C 2 0 ’ O N T H E W A Y
As well as electrifying its existing models, Volvo will extend its line-up at the bottom end to cater to the growing demand for compact EVs.
“There will be more variants on the big car platform – the 90 size – but then there will be something in size 20 coming additionally, and that will be a big volume contributiontoourline-up, ” confirmed outgoing Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson.
The ‘XC20’ is set to use Volvo parent company Geely’s SEA platform, as used by the Chinesemarket Zeekr 001 shooting brake, making a 430-mileplus range and charging at up to 360kW possible.
IMAGE
Lotus lifts lid on design of new Type 132 electric SUV
ANOTHER GEELY-OWNED marque, Lotus, is preparing to usher in its own landmark electric SUV, and its exterior design has been newly outed in a series of design patent renderings just weeks ahead of its official unveiling.
Known as the Type 132, the Chinese-made Lotus SUV will place more of a focus on pace and agility than its Volvo and Polestar cousins, as evidenced by its rakish silhouette and aggressive styling, but an integrated lidar sensor on the roof hints at a similar emphasis on autonomous functionality.
An active aero panel, flush door handles, slim cameras in place of wing mirrors and a prominent rear spoiler look to boost aerodynamic efficiency and therefore its range potential; while various cues including the crescent-shaped headlights draw a link to Hethel’s new Emira sports coupé.
The full design, interior and technical specifications will be revealed on 29 March.
Aggressively styled Type 132 will take on Audi E-tron
Electric ‘XC20’ would rival likes of Kia e-Niro and VW ID 3
NEW £1.65BN PLANT FOR VW FLAGSHIP
Volkswagenhasapprovedanew£1.65bnfactoryin Wolfsburg for its Trinity flagship EV. Construction is due to start in spring 2023 and finish by 2026. The firm aims to ultimately build 250,000 cars per year there, with each taking just 10 hours to finish.
IMAGE
BMW BUYOUT TO ‘SAFEGUARD’ ALPINA
BMW has acquired Alpina, 60 years since the firm produced its first uprated component for a BMW car. The move will allow BMW to “safeguard” the future of the low-volume brand. It will offer some of Alpina’s 300 employees new roles, however.
