Volvo Rethinks EV Offensive, Will Focus On SUV Coupe Designs

Volvo is reportedly planning on developing a fleet of sleeker-looking crossovers to spearhead its fully-electric offensive going forward, and is promising to launch an all-new EV every year up to 2025.

The Swedish brand will also move into new segments in order to expand its portfolio, said design boss Robin Page in an exclusive interview with AutoExpress. Page emphasized that his company’s future model line-up will be very different to what we see today.

“Moving into electrification gives us an opportunity to rethink what cars are. We’re more open to not just repeating what we’ve done before but also looking at opportunities both in bigger and smaller cars,” he said. “As a design team we’re always exploring beyond the obvious, and of course with electric vehicles it brings opportunities and challenges in terms of aerodynamics and balancing with people’s needs in terms of space.”

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So why then focus on SUV Coupe designs? Because according to Page, electric vehicles and SUVs “contradict each other,” hence the need for better aerodynamics.

“The tricky part of the future is the SUV world, because the traditional SUV is about a high h-[hip] point and roof. As we go into EVs, of course, the value of range and aerodynamics becomes a real point. How does the world look when you have people wanting that high position and all the usability of an SUV, balanced with the fact they want range? Clean aerodynamics.”

The first all-new Volvo EV that’s due out is the third-generation XC90, coming next year. Afterwards, the Swedish carmaker will focus on bespoke EVs with more streamlined designs.

Note: Volvo 40.2 Concept pictured