Volvo began experimenting w ith the idea of launching an SUV well before the original XC90
Had it seen the light that awaits at the end of a production line, the unnamed SUV would have undoubtedly been celebrated as the XC90’s spiritual successor. And yet, the sketches published by Volvo show a completely different type of off-roader. Its front end falls in line with the design language that characterized models like the 200-Series released in 1974 by adopting an upright grille with a diagonal “Volvo” emblem and rectangular headlights. No one would have mistaken it for, say, a Jeep
The sketches don’t reveal the back end, though we can clearly see wrap-around lights and an external spare wheel. While technical details haven’t been released, it’s not too far-fetched to speculate that the model was developed for serious off-roading. It features short overhangs, so it would have (in theory) offered high approach, break-over and departure angles, and it sits much higher than Volvo’s current crop of SUVs. It looks like the rear part of the top comes off; we imagine Volvo might have wanted to keep the B-pillar fixed in the name of safety.