While the new Volvo XC70 was revealed to the world press through shadowy teaser images, over in China there is evidently not the same secrecy. Autohome released images of the SUV fully uncovered, showing the car’s design in full ahead of its Chinese-market launch in September.
As its name suggests, Volvo’s first extended-range plug-in hybrid sits in between the XC60 and XC90, and its appearance certainly bears that out, striking a good balance between its smaller sibling’s sportiness and the flagship seven-seater’s stately aesthetic.
Up front, the XC70 sports the trademark Iron Mark and diagonal bar, flanked by Thor’s Hammer signature lighting. These now function solely as the daytime running lights, as the main headlamps have been cast off into separate vertical units lower down, similar to the EM90. A large air intake sits underneath, featuring an active grille shutter.
Moving further back, you’ll find chiselled flanks and a window line that kicks up towards the rear, hallmarks of the electric EX90. The rear, meanwhile, differs from that from other newer Volvos by featuring one-piece vertical taillights, framing the Volvo script with the number plate recess sitting below the tailgate. A set of intricate 21-inch turbine-style alloy wheels completes the look.
An interior spyshot does not reveal much, but it is noteworthy that the XC70 will feature a landscape-format infotainment touchscreen rather than the usual portrait one, and there are also what appear to be dual phone holders that are typical of Chinese cars. This suggests that, like the EM90 that’s built on the bones of the Zeekr 009, the XC70 is based on another car from Geely’s stable.
Rumours hint of the car being closely related to the Lynk & Co 08, which is powered by the Chinese conglomerate’s performance-focused EM-P powertrain. This pairs a 163 PS/255 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 218 PS/350 Nm electric motor and a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (3DHT Evo) for a total system output of 381 PS and 615 Nm of torque. An additional 212 PS/290 Nm rear motor provides all-wheel drive and boosts output to 593 PS and a staggering 905 Nm.
Two battery sizes are offered – a 21.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack providing an electric range of 120 km and a 39.6 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) unit that can deliver up to 245 km (AWD 220 km) on a single charge; all figures are on China’s lenient CLTC cycle. This is certainly in line with Volvo’s promise of the XC70 being capable of over 200 km of pure electric range.
Excited? Don’t hold your breath for it to come to Malaysia – like the EM90, the XC70 is expected to be exclusive to the Chinese market.
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Wait, sits between the XC60 and X90 or sits between XC60 and the XC70 itself, I’m confused. Must be a typo.
Hah, it was indeed a typo, fixed! Thanks for the spot.
i cant wait to know the price