Volvo XC40 subcompact SUV unveiled

Words: Shubham Choukse

Volvo has unveiled their smallest SUV – the XC40, in Italy. The XC40 is the entry-level SUV from the Swedish automaker and it completes the brand’s international SUV line-up with the XC60 and the XC90.

It is based on Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which will be shared in future by Volvo’s other 40 series models as well.

“The XC40 is our first entry in the small SUV segment, broadening the appeal of the Volvo brand and moving it in a new direction. It represents a fresh, creative and distinctive new member of the Volvo line-up. So it only feels natural to reveal the XC40 here in Milan, a buzzing European hotspot for fashion, art, design and lifestyle,” said Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive, Volvo Cars.

The XC40 follows Volvo’s new design philosophy giving it a tall and suave appearance. It features Volvo’s signature Thor’s hammer design headlamps, long-flat bonnet and clean sculpted lines everywhere.

Interiors feature a neatly layed out design with extensive use of leather, aluminum and other high-quality materials. At the centre of the dash sits a large vertically oriented touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and smartphone integration capabilities.

At present there are two engine choices available, a D4 diesel and a T5 four-cylinder Drive-E petrol, more choices including a hybrid and a pure-electric powertrain will be added later.

Volvo has started taking bookings and will start the production of the new XC40 in November at their facility in Belgium.

There is no official statement as to when the new model will make it to India.