Next Volvo XC90 rumoured to be named ‘Embla’
The all-electric successor to the Volvo XC90 could be called Embla. A hint from Volvo boss Hakan Samuelsson has now led to the potential model name of the US-built electric SUV.
It has been known for some time that Volvo wants to deviate from the previous alphanumeric naming scheme for future electric vehicle models – the XC90 successor is to be the first to do so. Volvo boss Hakan Samuelsson revealed in an interview that the model designation of the electric XC90 successor will begin with a vowel.
As the portal Carbuzz now reports, some “clever people on the internet” have searched through the latest brand registrations – and found what they were looking for. According to the report, Volvo had the name Embla protected in October. It is allegedly the first brand name registered by Volvo with a vowel at the beginning in four years.
The successor to the XC90 is due to be unveiled next year and will be built at the Ridgeville plant in South Carolina. Also revealed is that the electric SUV will be the first Volvo on an all-electric platform. The two current electric models, the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, are based on the CMA mixed platform. The first purpose-designed electric model would also fit the meaning of the alleged model name: Embla is the first woman in Norse mythology.
That Volvo is hoping for great things from the vehicle – not only because of the break in the naming – was made clear by Samuelsson. “It will be born electric, so there will be none of the compromises that come when you make a combustion car an EV,” the Volvo boss said. “That means we don’t have to worry about where the engine and exhaust system will go. This car will have a flat floor and roomy interior. It will be the perfect family car in Europe and the US, where the current XC90 is very popular today.”
Volvo had unveiled the ‘Concept Recharge‘ in the summer, which is expected to give a preview of the design line-up. However, the production model is also expected to be offered with an optional third row of seats as a seven-seater – the concept only had four individual seats here. This would also be a distinguishing feature of the XC90/Embla from the Polestar 3, which is also to be built in Ridgeville on the same technical basis.
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