Beginning in 2019, media reports speculated that Volvo would introduce a new flagship crossover called the Volvo XC100. Global outlets suggested the Swedish automaker could use the SPA2 platform for the model and position it as a battery-electric vehicle.
Nearly seven years later, Volvo could be revisiting the idea to add volume and improve profit margins in North America, but the execution may look different.
New electrification strategy
The Swedish carmaker confirmed in an announcement on March 2, 2021, that it planned to become a fully EV-only company by 2030, taking aim at Tesla, which apparently sent the large SUV project to the back burner. By 2025, the company had course-corrected, stating that it would offer plug-in hybrids alongside all-electric models, as EV adoption was taking much longer than original estimates.
Large Volvo SUV shown to U.S. dealers
In 2020, Automotive News had learned from U.S. dealers of Volvo Cars that the company showed them a “stretched variant” of the XC90 that measured 7 inches longer and 5 inches wider. This flagship product was expected to enter production at the South Carolina facility in six- and seven-seat versions.
Volvo could be revisiting a larger SUV, as CEO HÃ¥kan Samuelsson told Automotive News that the company was “looking into” bigger SUVs.
SPA 1.5 & EREV power
While there are no additional details, we’d imagine that the XC100 would be the “Grand” version of the next-gen XC90 with wider tracks, a longer wheelbase, and additional rear overhang. As there’s hardly a market for full-size EVs, Volvo could generate the SUV on the rumored SPA 1.5 platform and pair it with a range-extender powertrain.
Another option would be for Volvo to adapt an existing model from Zeekr or Lynk & Co. A vehicle like the Zeekr 9X could provide the base for an upscale Volvo SUV with an electrified powertrain.
Pricing & competition
Like the EM90 for China, an XC100 could target the U.S. and Canada first, with limited export potential. Pricing could land around USD 90,000-100,000, placing it against the Mercedes GLS, BMW X7, and the expected Audi Q9.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
