India has seen an exponential increase in demand for the compact-SUV segment over the past five years. And why not, as the majority of the country is youth – they particularly reflect youthful thoughts in a car that they wish to own which would be a package of – throbbing power, aggressive looks, and at the same time, it must be pocket-friendly.
Volvo, the Swedish car-maker recently launched its third SUV – XC40 in Milan last week. Currently comprising of the XC90 and XC 60, the SUV lineage of the Swedish car-maker will soon be joined by the premium compact SUV XC40. The company claims it to be the most. Volvo launched the car with the ‘Care by Volvo’ subscription service which includes various benefits like the fuelling, cleaning, service pick-up and much more. But, we at LuxuryLaunches are skeptical about this feature coming down the line to the Indian shores due to the brand’s nascent stage in terms of development here.
The XC40 will be powered by the company’s D4 diesel or the T5 petrol four-cylinder Drive E powertrain and will be the first Volvo Car to have the company’s new 3-cylinder engine.
The car looks elegant, luxe, aggressive and compact from the outside, thanks to Thor’s hammer-shaped LED DRLs and the new all-black grille up front… The side profile looks chunky with neat contours running through the length, to the back which leads to the ‘L’ shaped tail lamps. The car also comes with a panoramic roof and dual-tone paint job. On the similar lines, the interiors look plain yet superb and spacious, for the skilfully tailored seats, neat inserts for accessories on the doors and the driver-friendly dashboard and infotainment system.
The XC40 is a premier model in the Volvo’s fleet of cars to be built with the all-new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) which will be followed in all the upcoming models in the 40 series including the EVs (electric vehicles).
Speaking on the launch, Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive, Volvo Cars Corporation AB said, “The XC40 is our first entry in the small SUV segment, broadening the appeal of the Volvo brand and moving it in a new direction. It represents a fresh, creative and distinctive new member of the Volvo line-up.”
Joining the SUV fleet of Volvo, the XC40 will compete against the likes of Mini Countryman, BMW X1, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA. The car is expected to enter the Indian shores soon.
