Remember the old Volvo XC70 the rugged, lifted wagon that looked ready for a ski trip at any moment? Well, it’s back. Sort of. Volvo has brought the nameplate into the modern era, repurposing it for an all-new, battery-rich SUV that’s got plug-in hybrid power and seriously impressive electric range.
This new XC70 is no longer a lifted estate car. It’s a sleek, SUV-only model that slots neatly between the XC60 and XC90, both in size and styling. But here’s the twist: it’s available only as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) no petrol-only version here. Volvo’s clearly going all-in on electrified drivetrains, especially in markets like China, where this model is debuting.
A Long-Range PHEV Made for Modern Drivers
According to details published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the new Volvo XC70 offers two battery options, both larger than what you’d find in typical plug-in hybrids. The bigger battery is a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack with a capacity of 39.63 kWh, delivering up to 180 km of all-electric range on China’s CLTC cycle. That’s miles ahead of most PHEVs currently on the market.
Prefer something simpler or more budget-friendly? There’s also a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) option with a 21.22 kWh capacity, giving a still-respectable electric-only range of 100 km. That’s more than enough for most daily commutes without ever touching the fuel tank.
Serious Power Under the Hood
While Volvo hasn’t officially revealed the full performance specs, it’s likely that the XC70 shares its underpinnings with the Lynk & Co 08 another model from Volvo’s parent company, Geely. That means we’re looking at two very different personalities under one stylish body:
- Front-Wheel Drive Version: Combines a 1.5L turbocharged engine with a single electric motor for a total of 381 horsepower and 615 Nm of torque.
- All-Wheel Drive Version: Adds a second electric motor for a dual-motor setup, boosting output to 593 horsepower and 905 Nm of torque. Acceleration? 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. That’s hot-hatch territory in a midsize SUV.
Top speed is limited to 180 km/h, and while this may be slightly lower than its sibling from Lynk & Co, most drivers won’t need anything faster especially with this much torque on tap.
Built on a Familiar, Flexible Platform
The XC70 rides on the CMA 2.0 platform, a modern EV/PHEV-friendly architecture that also supports DC fast charging. In the Lynk & Co 08, the larger battery charges from 10% to 80% in just 33 minutes, so it’s safe to expect similar numbers from the Volvo.
No word yet on exact charging speeds for the XC70, but Volvo’s reputation suggests it will come with practical, real-world performance that suits both urban and long-distance drivers.
A Global Future?
Right now, the XC70 is clearly aimed at the Chinese market, where plug-in hybrids with extended electric range are becoming hugely popular. But that may not be the end of the road for this SUV. With Lynk & Co already confirming that the 08 is heading to Europe, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Volvo XC70 follow suit.
Its big battery, fast charging, and pure-electric driving capability would make it one of the longest-range plug-in hybrids available in Europe an appealing proposition for drivers who want electric range without fully committing to an EV.
That said, given its China-based production, a U.S. release seems unlikely for now. Still, for global markets increasingly shifting to electrified driving, the XC70 could be one of Volvo’s most important new launches in years.
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