Volvo’s renaissance launched with the reborn XC90 SUV—which will be the basis of Volvo’s new flagship and foray into the SUV “coupe” trend with the XC100.
The XC90 will be redesigned next year for its third generation a year before the XC100 makes its debut, so you’ll get a strong preview when the new flagship SUV breaks cover. As a branding statement more than a gear hauler, the sleeker XC100 Recharge will then take over as Volvo’s style leader and be an altogether more indulgent offering. Expect four seats rather than five, comfort- and luxury-oriented suspension tuning, semiautonomous capabilities, and more extravagant design.
Both the XC90 and XC100 will be built on Volvo’s next-generation SPA-II architecture, a major update to the current XC90’s SPA platform. Although SPA was designed to accommodate hybrid powertrains, SPA-II is designed to support full electric vehicles, as well. And while the XC90 will be offered as both a traditional gas-powered vehicle with hybrid options and a Recharge electric model, the XC100 will be purely electric.
Designed around the common “skateboard” EV powertrain layout, the Recharge all-electric models will keep their batteries under the floor between the axles. So far, Volvo’s plans call for all its EVs to have two motors, one in front and one in the rear. Other models offer front- or rear-drive trims, but expect the XC100 Recharge flagship to have two motors as standard.
Designed to highlight Volvo’s technological and green leadership, the XC100 Recharge should be revealed in 2023 and land at an estimated starting price of $85,000.
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