With Volvo set to end production of the V40 this
summer, it’s now likely that the Swedish automaker will opt to go with a
crossover body style for its replacement. The V40’s successor will ride
higher than its predecessor because more buyers are now switching to SUV-styled
models, said Volvo Europe boss, Lex Kerssemakers, who also stated that the
extra height will help accommodate batteries for an eventual fully electric
version, to be unveiled further down the road.
With the current V40 being the last Volvo to be
built on a legacy Ford platform, it does make sense for the carmaker to switch
things up with it. This also means that the next-generation variant will move
away from being a direct challenger to the likes of the BMW 1-Series, Mercedes
A-Class and Audi A3.
The V40’s replacement will use the same CMA platform
co-developed with Geely that underpins the new XC40, as well as Geely’s Lynk
& Co models. According to Kerssemakers, his company is still deciding on an exact
body style, but if Volvo is to follow through on their high-riding promise,
something like the Concept 40.2 could end up seeing the light
of day, as reported by Automotive News Europe.
