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Initially, the XC70 will only be sold in China as a step-up from the XC60, but, as its name indicates, below the XC90.
XC70 will make a return after an almost decade absence. Image: Volvo
The initiator of the XC or Cross Country moniker back in 1997, Volvo has released first official teaser images of the all-new XC70 just under a decade after the last generation departed from the Torslanda Plant in Sweden.
Although set to become the fourth generation XC70, the newcomer won’t be estate based as the prior three generations were.
As indicated by the released images, it will morph into an SUV positioned between the XC60 and XC90 in Gothenburg’s line-up, but only for the Chinese market initially.
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Part of the Geely-owned brand’s 10 model product roll-out announced in February this year, the XC70 will ride on a brand-new platform called Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA), designed specifically for range-extending plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles.
The latter is another first for the brand after the unveiling of its first MPV last year, the EM90, a spin-off of sister brand Zeekr’s 009, the XC70 won’t offer a full electric version as this will likely overlap with the incoming EV-only EX60.
“XC70 marks our strategic entry into the extended-range plug-in hybrid segment, a perfect bridge to full electrification,” Volvo President and CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, said in a statement.
Appearing outwardly similar to the facelifted XC60 and XC90, the XC70 will derive motivation from a completely new powertrain Volvo has so far only detailed as having an electric-only range of 200 km.
“It enables us to maintain and develop a balanced product portfolio, while offering a highly attractive alternative to customers who are not yet ready for fully electric cars.
“This is also an example of regionalisation, where we adapt to the local market needs,” Samuelsson, who rejoined Volvo last month at the expense of his predecessor, Jim Rowan, said.
Set to be “slightly larger and more spacious than the XC60”, more details of the XC70 will be divulged in the coming weeks and months
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