Volvo’s New XC40 Leads New Compact 40 Series

• Published On: 9 October 2017
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It emulates its larger siblings in a competent, yet smaller package.

The new XC40 compact SUV, which looks unmistakeably like a car from the Volvo factory, features an upright stance, a squared-off nose and shoulders, ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlamps, a bold, slightly convex grille, and a version of boomerang-shaped tail-lamps. This XC40 has a more youthful air to it, the more liberal use of black cladding around the base, and the sharper angles and cuts in the bodywork.

The XC40 is built on the company’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which uses fewer expensive materials and alloys in its construction. It can also hold batteries, wiring and motors needed for electrification. The company will also share this platform with Chinese parent company, Geely. In Europe, when the car is launched, it will feature a 2.0-litre diesel with 190hp and a 2.0-litre petrol with 250hp, with a Haldex AWD system as standard. Less powerful and front-wheel drive versions will join the line-up later.

The CMA platform will spawn a series of models with ‘40’ in their name, which will most probably include the successor to the V40 and probably an S40 compact sedan too. When Volvo brings it to India, expect it to be priced competitively against the X1, Q3 and GLA, in the ₹30-35 lakh range.