Since the 2015 Volvo V40
has been off to a pretty good sales start, Volvo
seems to be in the mood to expand its lineup in the small-car segment, with the next generation of theV40
to become a larger family of models. Work on the future small Volvos has already started at the new China Euro Vehicle Technology (CEVT) center that has been built in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The modular platform engineered by CEVT will be used for both Geely
models and the V40 replacement, which will be accompanied by the 2020 Volvo XC40
compact
crossover
, and possibly by other models as well. According to Autocar, who had a look at the jobs currently availabale at CEVT, at least one hybrid powertrain will be found in the new architecture. Apparently, the models using the platform will be FWD or AWD, except the hybrid versions using an electrified rear axle, rendering them AWD-only.
On the Geely-side of the deal, it is not yet clear what kind of cars will use the new architecture, but the report says they will probably be aimed at European and Chinese markets. Either way, any new models based on the Volvo-Geely
platform created at CEVT are at least two and a half years away, so the XC40 will probably be the first. Strangely enough, the CEO of CEVT is Mats Fagerhag, who was the lead engineer for the now-dead Phoenix platform, which was supposed to underpin a new Saab
lineup before the Swedish company ran into trouble.
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