Volvo Concept Recharge previews a next-generation electric SUV

Having launched the XC40 Recharge (2019) and C40 Recharge (2021) as the first pure electric models, Volvo has readied up the Concept Recharge – its gateway to the next generation of electric vehicles that are designed from the ground up. The all-new Volvo Concept Recharge hints at a premium and technologically superior all-electric vehicle, in the class of the XC90.

Exterior

The new Volvo Concept Recharge comes with a range of details, such as a shield-like structure in place of the traditional front grille and a sleeker-looking form of Volvo’s trademark Thor’s hammer design with a new design language for the headlamps. The concept features the latest HD technology-based graphic, which unveils the main headlamps when turned on at night.

Volvo Concept Recharge side
The Volvo Concept Recharge comes with a clean side profile and proportions quite different to the XC90. Image courtesy : Volvo.

The concept maintains a cleaner look for the side profile with flush-type door handles, apart from getting an upright stance at the front and vertically shaped rear pillars. The Volvo Concept Recharge also comes with the company’s signature L-shaped tail lamps.

Volvo’s latest concept vehicle comes with Rolls-Royce style suicide doors and the roofline has been designed to aid aerodynamics. However, the tail lamps come with a set of wings, which open up at higher speeds to facilitate better aerodynamics.

Volvo Concept Recharge side
The Volvo Concept Recharge features frameless design with suicide doors which wouldn’t be practical for production. Image courtesy: Volvo.

The Volvo Concept Recharge also features a LiDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) sensor mounted on the roof, which aids in collecting various kinds of data around the car for the autonomous driving systems. The sensor has been built by Luminar and will form the base of all the future cars from Volvo’s next generation autonomous driving system, as Volvo will be offering this as a part of the standard fitment in all of its future cars.

Volvo Concept Recharge rear
At the back, the Volvo Concept Recharge features vertically-placed L-shaped lamps, an evolution of the existing style. Image courtesy : Volvo.

Interior details and space management

On the inside, the cabin of the Volvo Concept Recharge claims to have natural and sustainable materials in the construction. The concept comes with a large rectangular 15-inch touchscreen, which is a window to Volvo’s next-generation infotainment system with newer features for the connected car technology.

Unlike the first-generation electric cars from Volvo which are derived from IC engine models and based on a multi-powertrain platform, the Volvo Concept Recharge comes with a flat floor. This eradicates the need for provisioning space for a gasoline engine and helps in achieving enhanced levels of space and better seating position for the passengers, with short overhangs at the front and rear.

Volvo Concept Recharge interior
The Volvo Concept Recharge features a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a fully digital instrument console. Image courtesy: Volvo.

The battery pack of the Volvo Concept Recharge is placed under the flat floor, which has helped the designers in increasing the wheelbase and decreasing the overhangs. The Volvo Concept Recharge promises a commanding seating posture like its current SUVs like XC40, XC60, and XC90. For improving the visibility of passengers seated at the back, the rear seats of the Volvo Concept Recharge features a ‘booster cushion’ system, which raises them higher than the front seats.

Production & Launch

Volvo Concept Recharge cabin
The cabin of the Volvo Concept Recharge features a flat floor design, with battery pack under the flat floor. Image courtesy : Volvo.

Commenting on the development of the Volvo Concept Recharge, Robin Page, head of design at Volvo has stated that this new concept will be making way for a new type of vehicle, apart from being the base of all-electric vehicles from Volvo. The concept would lead to a production electric SUV that will launch next year to compete with the BMW iX and the Tesla Model Y. The vehicle is to be manufactured in South Carolina, USA.