The new Volvo XC70 mid-size SUV is Volvo Cars’ first extended-range plug-in hybrid. According to the Chinese CLTC standard, it provides a pure electric range of up to 200 kilometers, making it Volvo Cars’ longest-range plug-in hybrid.
The new XC70 is designed to meet the demand for longer-range PHEVs in China, where it will be available for order later this year. Volvo Cars is exploring potential additional markets at a later stage.
Built on Volvo’s SMA platform (Scalable Modular Architecture), the XC70 represents an important product addition for Volvo Cars. “The XC70 marks our strategic entry into the extended-range plug-in hybrid segment, a perfect bridge to full electrification,” says Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars.
“It enables us to maintain and develop a balanced product portfolio, while offering a highly attractive alternative to customers who are not yet ready for fully electric cars. This is also an example of regionalisation, where we adapt to the local market needs.”
“With its extended electric range and fast charging capabilities, the XC70 lets you handle most daily travel without tailpipe emissions and at a lower cost, while the efficient combustion engine provides freedom and flexibility for longer trips,” boasts the press release. “This means you could travel longer distances without worrying about charging or refueling. Combined with its versatility, which offers space and comfort for all passengers, the XC70 is a car for every type of journey.”
SUV gets iconic estate name, design stays ‘Scandinavian’
“Building on Volvo Cars’ solid and purposeful design tradition, the new XC70 reflects a modern take on the company’s Scandinavian design heritage,” the Chinese-owned Swedish Manufacturer claims. “Its commanding stance and distinct features express calm confidence and rational simplicity, with seamless lines flowing from front to rear. Combined with a sweeping roofline, the sculpted shoulder creates a robust yet dynamic silhouette.”
At the front, the shield-like closed grille, inspired by the company’s all-electric models, is paired with an active grille shutter that adjusts automatically to optimise aerodynamics, cabin climate, and cooling. This feature aims to improve energy efficiency, extending the driving range.
The new XC70 shares its name (but only that) with one of Volvo’s most iconic cars. When the original XC70 was first introduced, it was an adventurous evolution from the more traditional V70 estate. “The name reflects its character: a versatile family car, ready for all kinds of adventures. The new XC70 continues this legacy in a mid-size SUV format, slightly larger and more spacious than the Volvo XC60,” the press release promises.
And so, while Volvo has long been a strong defender (and important seller) of estates, its next product is again an SUV. Recently, it dared to come with an electric luxury sedan again, but a new break seems out of reach. That’s a pity when one sees the break (or shooting break) slowly returning to the portfolio of mainly Chinese brands but also staying put in the model range of premium competitors like Audi, BMW, or Mercedes.
Not that extended
Volvo stays quiet about the technical details for the moment. “More details about the new XC70 will be revealed in the coming months, so stay tuned,” concludes the press release.
The manufacturer talks about an ‘extended range’ PHEV, promising some 200 km of electric range according to the Chinese CLTC standard. The latter is known as being the least stringent standard compared to the WLTP standard in the EU or the EPA in the U.S.
In practice, the Swedes’ new range-extending PHEV will not be that different from the latest PHEV products of some competitors, which easily offer more than 100 km of electric range according to the more severe Western standards.
Initially, ‘extended range’ was used for pure electric cars (always driven by an electric motor) that added an ICE engine (or, in some prototypes, a fuel cell) to extend the range of the EV without needing a massive battery pack. The upcoming Volvo XC70 is just another PHEV, with an ICE engine that also drives the wheels and a somewhat higher electric range.
