The 40 series of vehicles from Volvo will be based on the CMA modular architecture. The platform has been designed from the ground up to accommodate drivetrain layouts varying from a conventional internal combustion engine to a hybrid, to a full EV. After all, Volvo has already announced that it aims to sell 1 million electrified cars by 2025. A diesel-hybrid was also under development, but has since been dropped since its appeal will be limited to Europe. The petrol hybrid, meanwhile, will house the batteries in the central tunnel and produce a combined output of 250 horsepower from its three-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor – while providing an electric-only range of up to 50-kilometres. A sedan, meanwhile, could debut in 2020-21.
All the vehicles in the 40 series of models for Volvo – an SUV, hatchback and, most likely, a sedan – will be produced in China. Production will begin in late 2017.