Volvo teases its first XC40

Volvo has provided the first glimpses of a pair of concepts that are believed to preview its first ever XC40 compact SUV and the redesigned V40 hatchback.

Posted on Snapchat today, the images are referred to only as '40 series' by Volvo, which has confirmed it will reveal two new concept cars next week.

The V40 hatch is currently Volvo's smallest model and the long-awaited XC40 crossover – to be positioned beneath the XC60 and new XC90 – should not only become the company's top-selling model, but a key part of its target to sell 800,000 vehicles annually worldwide.

In a clear indication of Volvo's desire to attract a younger audience with its new 40 series compact models, one of the images was captioned with the words "Not your daddy's Volvo".

As the teaser images indicate, both models are almost certain to wear headlights featuring the Swedish brand's latest 'Thor's Hammer' LED running lamps, while the inaugural XC40 will brandish large black triangular outboard front bumper inlets and wheel-arch cladding.

No official information is available for either model, but Volvo has said its next small model family will be based on the all-new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform co-developed with its Chinese owner Geely.

The all-new XC40 is expected to be the first 40-series model to reach showrooms– in 2017 -- followed by the new V40 hatch and, almost certainly, an all-new small sedan to be called the S40. It's unclear whether the existing V40 Cross Country will be replaced.

The next V40 hatch is also expected to form the basis of a circa-235kW all-wheel drive V40 hot hatch tuned by Polestar, to rival the likes of Ford's Focus RS, Honda Civic Type-R and Volkswagen's Golf R.

A new V40 powered by the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E engine seen in the XC90 could become Volvo's quickest ever production model, with a 0-100km/h as low as 4.5 seconds.

Expect lesser versions of the Audi Q3-rivalling XC40, as well as the V40 and S40, to come with a mix of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, plus plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Volvo is also working on replacements for its mid-size 60 series models, including the V60 sedan, V60 wagon, XC60 SUV and perhaps the V60 Cross Country.

Before that locally, Volvo Car Australia will this year launch mildly facelifted V40 and V40 Cross Country models with Thor's Hammer DRLs,  plus T8 plug-in and R-Design sports versions of the XC90 and Polestar tuning kits for the V40, S60, V60 and XC60 – all around mid-year.

Later this year local Volvo showrooms will be graced by new four-cylinder turbo-powered Polestar versions of the current S60 and V60, and the big new S90 flagship sedan – both in the final quarter.