Volvo XC40 & V40/S40 revealed as 40.1 & 40.2 Concepts: OFFICIAL

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Volvo’s new 40 Series cars are previewed with the debut of concepts dubbed 40.1 and 40.2, previewing a new Volvo XC40 and a V40/S40 to come.

Volvo has been busy being cool and down with the kids by teasing the arrival of the new XC40 and S40/V40 as concepts, and this afternoon in Sweden they’ve taken the wraps off the 40.1 and 40.2 concepts which give us a clear idea of where Volvo’s smaller range is heading.

Both concepts are based on Volvo’s new CMA platform, and both the concepts are rumoured to come with ‘Green’ powertrains, with the XC40 Concept getting a plug-in powertrain, and the V40/S40 a pure EV setup.

New Volvo XC40 40.1 Concept

Probably the most important of the two reveals is the Concept 40.1 concept which previews a new compact SUV, which will arrive next year as the new Volvo XC40.

Looking a bit like a shrunken and slightly squashed XC90 – all though none the worse for it – the XC40 has a bluff front end with Volvo’s statement grill, Thor running lights, deeply sculptured flanks, a sloping tailgate and lights that are tall and dramatic.

There’s also a distinct lack of rear door handles (they’re on the trailing edge of the rear windows), which may be a concept thing. We also have no idea (yet) what the interior of the new XC40 will look like, but if it’s anything like the XC90, V90 and S90 it’ll be a cracker.

New Volvo S40 / V40 40.2 Concept

We may be being particularly thick (it’s been known) but we’re not entirely convinced about what the 40.2 concept previews. Is it the new V40 Hatchback, or is it a new S40 Saloon?

At first look it seems to be a Volvo saloon, but look more closely and you can see it has a raised ride height (Crossover-like, or Cross Country) and that notchback shape that makes it look like a saloon is actually a hatchback.

At the front, the 40.2 has a similar grill, but the front slopes back more and there’s a bit of a coupe vibe going on, with a back end that has cues from the new S90.

Powertrains on the new 40 Series cars will include Volvo’s new T5 Twin engine powertrain, boasting a 1.5 litre three-cylinder take on Volvo’s Drive-E engines driving the front wheels through a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox with the help of an electric motor.

The total output for the combination is around 250bhp with a 30 mile electric-only range, and economy and emissions that will officially the usual daft plug-in numbers, but which should still be impressively economical in the real world.

We also expect Volvo’s existing 2.0 litre Drive-E engines to be available, fully electric versions as well as both FWD and four-wheel drive.

To our eyes, the XC40 looks a winner, with enough of the XC90 in its looks to be able to claim some of Volvo’s SUV fairy dust, but enough individuality to stand on its own, and to stand out against opposition like Audi’s Q2 and Q3 and BMW’s X1.

As for the 40.2 Concept, whether it’s a first look at a new V40 or an S40 – or, indeed, a one-size fits all combination of the two – it looks a distinctive and handsome car.

No doubt we’ll get more – and a clarification of our confusion over whether 40.2 is a V40 or an S40 – as we get closer to a debut of a production version of these cars, perhaps as soon as Paris in the autumn.