With MINI ’s Countryman now out in the open, reports have surfaced that Volvo is readying a small soft-roader of its own. Based on the C30 hatchback, the compact crossover is tipped to surface sometime in 2012.
Building on Leftlane’s report over two years ago, Volvo is apparently renewing its earlier commitment to build a 5-door CUV on the C30 platform. The C30 hatchback hasn’t been the smashing success Volvo had hoped for, but the Swedish automaker is planning a model expansion to open up the line to more buyers. First on the docket will be a new, smaller version – dubbed the XC30 – which is set to take on MINI ’s new Countryman as well as future models like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.
Set to bow in 2012, the XC30 will slot beneath the XC60 and XC90, but should adopt the XC line’s design language. The XC30 will feature all-wheel drive, as well as gas and diesel powerplants.
“There will be some further expansion of the XC range in the near future,” Volvo executive Lex Kerssemakers said. “Naturally you would go down at this moment because we’re rather well filled with XC60, XC70 and XC90.”
In addition to the XC30, Volvo is also developing a five-door version of the C30. Although the three-door body style of the current C30 allows for a sleeker shape, Kerssemakers admits that its limited interior space turns off some buyers. As a result, a five-door version of the C30 should hit the market sometime in the next few years.
References
1. ‘Volvo XC30 tipped…’ view
