New SUV will sit between the XC60 and XC90 and offers over 200km of electric-only range.
Volvo has officially revived their historic XC70 moniker, but rather than the jacked-up estate it was formerly, it is now positioned as a long-range plug-in hybrid SUV capable of over 200km miles of electric-only driving.
The model will sit below the XC90 in Volvo’s global lineup, and takes clear design inspiration from the firm’s new range of electric cars like the EX30 and EX90.
The XC70 will initially launch in China, where long-range plug-in hybrids are becoming more and more popular, but Volvo has confirmed plans to introduce the car in Europe at a later stage.
The XC70 is intended to support the brand’s electrification strategy by offering extended electric range to customers not yet ready to transition to a fully electric vehicle.
The new XC70 adopts Volvo’s latest design language, featuring a minimalist interpretation of the brand’s classic styling cues, such as the Thor’s Hammer head and taillights, and Iron Mark grille.
The front end gets the same closed grille as on the brand’s electric models, but adds an active shutter system to optimise both aerodynamic efficiency and engine cooling, with a lower grille and headlamps designed to look reminiscent of an Elk’s antlers.
Along the side, there’s Volvo’s distinctive deep scalloping, while alloys go up to an arch-filling 21-inches.
With a length of 4,815mm, width of 1,890mm, height of 1,650mm, and wheelbase of 2,895mm, the XC70 is similar in size to competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC but offers greater electric-only range and a predominantly electric drivetrain.
Inside, the cabin continues the minimalist theme with a greater focus on digital interfaces, a trend that has caused some consternation among the Volvo faithful who believe it goes against their safety-focused roots.
Here, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a standalone 15.4-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen dominate the otherwise uncluttered dashboard, with the only physical controls being a crystal roller wheel flanked by two arrowed switches.
An optional 91-inch augmented reality head-up display is also available, projecting navigation and driving information onto the windshield, while in the rear there’s a small panel to turn on heated rear seats and adjust the rear temperature.
The centre console features a ventilated wireless charger and a nifty sliding cupholder section, clad in wood, that can retract to give easy access to the storage space underneath.
There’s also a 23-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system available as well as ambient lighting in the doors, heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and a large panoramic roof.
The XC70 is built on Volvo’s new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA), specifically developed for plug-in hybrid applications, but it isn’t a PHEV in the same mould as those European consumers will be used to.
Instead, the XC70 features a larger battery, a 1.5-litre petrol engine, and three electric motors, offering over 200km of electric range (tests achieved over 260km), and a total range of over 1,200km.
The engine, which produces 120kW, is mated to Geely’s 3DHT hybrid transmission, and along with two front motors producing 60kW and 107kW, and a rear motor producing 156kW, provides as much as 340kW of power to all four-wheels, mostly under electric power with the engine serving as a generator for the battery, but with the engine able to contribute to drive when required.
Batteries come in two varieties, a 21.2kWh motor offering 116km of electric range, and a 39.64kWh battery offering over 200km of electric range, and fast charging enables it to be replenished from 0-0% in 23 minutes.
Production of the XC70 has already commenced in China, where the model is now available for pre-order with two options available, a two-wheel drive variant starting from RMB 299,900 (£31,100 / $42,100) and an all-wheel drive variant starting from RMB 329,900 (£34,200 / $46,300).
Although pricing has not been officially disclosed for other markets, Volvo has described the XC70 as a “cornerstone” of its electrified portfolio, so international sales are expected in the future.
The XC70 is part of Volvo’s amended commitment to have at least 80% of their sales coming from electrified vehicles by 2030.
