2018 Volvo XC40 leaked ahead of reveal

Volvo’s highly-promising XC40 has been sprung a week ahead of its official debut.

The new Audi Q2 and BMW X1 rival can be seen clearly here, following the accidental release of a promotional video by Volvo Hungary.

Touted as Volvo’s new sales leader in Australia, the XC40 parallels many of the design highlights of its larger XC90 and XC60 stablemates. There’s an evolution of the Thor’s Hammer headlight design, while the side profile is headlined by a prominent kink  rising towards the C-pillar.

The video also mentions wireless smartphone chargers, textured material on the dashboard centre fascia and a flexible cargo space – items that will surely help it find favour with a diverse, tech-savvy and practical market.

The XC40 brings significant progress for Volvo under the skin, too, debuting as the first new model based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), a new platform jointly developed by Volvo and its Chinese owner, Geely.

The XC40 is due to reach Australian showrooms in May, 2018, with a price tag close to $40,000.

Powered by the brand’s upcoming new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine hooked up to a new dual-clutch automatic transmission, entry-level XC40 vehicles are expected to generate at least 110kW (150hp).

Plug-in hybrid versions of the small Scandinavian SUV will occur eventually and motoring.com.au has learned the company will only build petrol-powered versions of the 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, spurning diesel.

All-wheel drive, advanced digital instrument panels and the large “Sensus” touch-screen infotainment system from the XC60 and XC90 models will be offered.