Volvo Germany accidentally teases XC40

A SHADOWED image of Volvo’s upcoming XC40 compact SUV has been leaked online after the Swedish car-maker’s German arm accidentally posted the image on its website.

The leaked image shows the rear half of the XC40 in profile, showing a boomerang-style tail-light design with the long, vertical strips synonymous with other Volvo SUVs.

One point of difference for the XC40 is that the tail-lights fan outwards towards the car’s flanks, whereas modes like the XC60, XC90 and V90 Cross Country have tail-lights that curve inwards toward the number plate.

The teaser image also reveals a roof spoiler, black cladding for the rear bumper and large profile alloy wheels.

Punters can expect the XC40 to adopt the Thor’s Hammer lighting signature in the headlights, and a vertically-striped grille with the Volvo badge intersected by a diagonal line.

The XC40 will be built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture platform, which will be shared by parent company Geely for use on its own models as well as those of newly-formed Lynk & Co.

It was first previewed by the Concept 40.1 which was revealed in May last year, with the rear design seeming to stay faithful to the concept design.

Powertrain options for the XC40 are most likely to be petrol and diesel-powered versions of Volvo’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines that have proliferated across its range.

As part of its effort to sell one million electrified vehicles globally by 2025, it is likely Volvo will introduce an all-electric powertrain variant as well as a Twin Engine plug-in hybrid model.

In the case of the hybrid, a three-pot petrol engine will be the most logical internal combustion option.

Speaking at the time of the concept reveal last year, Volvo Car Australia managing director Kevin McCann said the small SUV would help broaden Volvo’s appeal to Australians.

“By taking a modular approach to both vehicle architecture and powertrain development we have succeeded in leap-frogging many of the players in the prestige segment,” he said.

“Our new battery electric powertrain variant opens yet another exciting chapter in the unfolding Volvo story.”