Report: Volvo Concept XC Coupe SUV details leaked

January 7, 2014 Chris Chin 2014 Detroit Auto Show, 2014 Detroit Motor Show, 2014 NAIAS, 2014 North American International Auto Show, 2014 Volvo Concept XC Coupe, Auto Shows, Concept Cars, Concepts, Detroit Auto Show, Detroit Motor Show, NAIAS, North American International Auto Show, Shooting Brake, Volvo Concept XC Coupe

The above leaked images show more revealing traits of Volvo’s Coupe Concept (teased previously), due at the Detroit Auto Show next week. Volvo developed this concept to showcase the upcoming design language for the next XC90 seven-seater SUV. This concept is the second in a series of three, which are also meant to relate the possibilities available with Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. Starting with the S60 midsize sedan and going up in size from there, the SPA platform represents a significant step forward for Volvo under the new Geely ownership, and therefore, investment.

The concept packs an iPad-sized infotainment screen, systems that steer and brake for the driver to avoid accidents, and a more sophisticated radar guided cruise control system that allows the car to follow the vehicle in front of it without driver intervention. The SPA platform will initially use a 2.0 four-cylinder engine as a base with varying levels of turbo boost, the most potent of which uses a supercharger as well to pull 302 horsepower out of the engine. A 400 horsepower hybrid powertrain is planned as well. There are indications that a new XC60 may show up in 2016 and that Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo’s CEO wants to see a completely new XC40 come out of this as well.

This author may be biased by his previous ownership of a 1993 850, but this coupe, and that stodgy, but lovable sedan have this in common: both cars indicate significant chapters in the marque’s history. The 850 quietly ushered luxury into Volvo’s entire lineup, its boxy shape had rounded edges, and it packed front wheel drive with a funky little five-cylinder engine. 20 years later, the five-cylinder modular Volvo engine remains a staple throughout the line as well as making its way into the Ford Focus ST and Ford Mondeo 2.5T. With the discontinuation of the C30 and the presence of the SPA platform in most of Volvo’s next-generation models, the Coupe Concept is a promising view into a company that recently came to the realization that its current lineup was nothing more than a collection of rehabilitated Ford and older Volvo underpinnings, not offensive and not straying from their roots like BMW, but no longer compelling either.

-By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: AutoExpress