Next-gen Volvo V40, XC40 teased

Volvo has teased the next-gen '40 series' family of models which is expected to be unveiled next week. The company, however, hasn't confirmed any details of the cars, except that they belong to the brand's smallest family of models, the '40 series'.

When asked by our sister publication, Autocar UK, a spokesperson from Volvo did not specify what type of car the concepts would be, but it is known that there will be two separate concept cars.

It was also confirmed that the two cars will sit on the all-new CMA platform, which has been co-developed with Volvo's owner, Geely, and will underpin the manufacturer's smallest model range. CMA is designed to be premium enough to allow Geely develop more upmarket products while supporting a more profitable, wider range of Volvo’s '40 series' models.

An unconventional way, Volvo used the social media network, Snapchat to reveal the pictures. This is believed to reflect the company's desire to attract younger buyers with its smaller, cheaper models. The caption on one of the images reads "Not your daddy's Volvo", again hinting that it will
appeal to younger buyers.

The images also confirm that the concepts will closely follow Volvo's current design conventions, with the 'Thor's Hammer' LED daytime running lights set in intricate clusters, and an uncomplicated front-end styling.

The next-generation Volvo V40 and XC40 will be powered by a mix of three- and four-cylinder engines, with plug-in hybrids and potentially fully electric versions of the cars also being developed.

The Volvo XC40 is strongly tipped to be the first model in the range to be launched, most likely in 2017, because of the sales potential of small crossovers in the current market scenario. Insiders believe the Infiniti QX30 and Mercedes GLA rival could end up being the firm's
bestselling model.

The V40 hatchback, a rival to the Mercedes A-class; and a small Volvo S40 sedan, which will be in effect a rival to the Audi A3 sedan and the upcoming BMW 2-series sedan, will follow.