Volvo’s Electric XC40 SUV Teased In Official Sketches

Volvo has released the first official sketches of its forthcoming battery-electric XC40 compact SUV, the Swedish automaker’s first production EV.

Hosting a full electric powertrain means that the XC40 will visually differentiate itself from its ICE-powered siblings; things like the front grille will be replaced by a panel, while the rear bumper is also going to be new.

“Its bold, instantly recognizable design is now even sleeker and more modern in the all-electric version”, said Robin Page, Volvo’s Head of Design. “Without the need for a grille we have created an even cleaner and more modern face, while the lack of tailpipes does the same at the rear. This is the approach we will explore more and more as we continue down the road of electrification.”

Also Read: Battery-Electric Volvo XC40 To Be Unveiled On October 16

The covered front grille, which will be finished in body color, will also house the sensors for Volvo’s new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems platform.

The battery-electric Volvo XC40 will be offered in eight color options, including a new Sage Green metallic green hue, while a contrasting black roof will be a standard feature. Volvo will also offer two new wheel designs, measuring 19 and 20 inches in diameter.

The interior will be updated with a brand new driver interface that’s designed specifically for electric vehicles, keeping the driver up to speed with EV-related information. Meanwhile, the rest of the cabin is getting “sporty” styling details and carpets made out of recycled materials. Also new will be a 30-liter frunk, given that there’s no internal combustion engine up front.

Volvo didn’t announce any technical details regarding the XC40’s EV powertrain, although we expect the crossover to use a similar setup as the Polestar 2, which rides on the same CMA platform. The Polestar 2 features a 78kWh battery pack and a combined 402 HP, courtesy of its two electric motors. The electric XC40 is not going to feature that much power though, given its different target audience.