SPY PICS: Volvo XC40 mule out and about

It has been known for some time that Volvo is anxious to have an entrant in the small-SUV class, where it could compete with the likes of Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1. But although that dream is expected to come to fruition in early 2018, we were yet to sight a test mule – until now.

These spy photos show a jacked-up V40 hatch that is almost without question that elusive XC40 prototype, indicating the Geely-owned Swedish car maker has a development programme under way.

But while it looks familiar from the outside, the small Volvo is undoubtedly a different animal altogether under the skin, based on the new Volvo/Geely-developed small car platform dubbed Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that will not only provide a basis for future Volvo models (including a new V40 hatch and S40 sedan) but will also be the starting point for a new range of Geely vehicles.

The CMA platform will join the existing Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) already in use on larger Volvos such as the current XC90 and will be the small-vehicle basis for future Volvo and Geely product.

It is expected the CMA platform will be a little less premium than the SPA version, with a torsion-beam rear suspension replacing the composite leaf-spring arrangement that features in SPA architecture.

A hybrid powertrain is also mooted to be a strong possibility, harnessing the packaging benefits of the CMA platform as well as the space-saving attributes of Volvo's own three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo powerplant. The company is on a path to end reliance on Ford-supplied engines via a range of in-house developed three and four-cylinder powerplants.

While the upcoming XC40 will almost certainly share some of the design cues already seen on the current V40, the end product is expected to be well removed from this test mule with a high-riding stance affirming its SUV – not crossover – aspirations.

But when?

Anticipated to be the trailblazer for the new CMA platform, the XC40 is expected to make its public debut in late 2017, early 2018, followed by the Golf/Jetta-challenging new-generation V40 and S40. Australia could be expected to follow suit, with the XC40 lobbing here probably towards the end of 2018.

A new range of SPA-based 60-series Volvos using the new in-house engines is also in the works.