The new Volvo XC70 is a plug-in hybrid SUV that’ll do over 120 miles on electric power alone*

Think the Volvo XC60 is just slightly too small, but the XC90 is far too large? Well, today is a very good day for you friend, because this is the new Volvo XC70.

Do you even need us to tell you about it? You do? Well, that’s a bit of a shame because Volvo hasn’t actually released that much detail just yet. You see, this car has been designed with the Chinese market in mind, and while it’s already open for pre-orders over there, we’re only told that it will be brought to Europe “at a later stage”.

Still, Volvo has confirmed that the new XC70 (which is no longer a lifted estate, boo) is built on the Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) platform “for long-range plug-in hybrids”. Now, we believe the petrol engine to be a 1.5-litre, but the real headline is the all-electric range of 124 miles on China's CLTC test cycle, which is generally more optimistic compared to Europe's WLTP cycle.

In total you’re looking at more than 745 miles before refuelling or recharging. Impressive. You’ll be able to recharge quickly too, with a top up from 0 to 80 per cent apparently taking just 23 minutes.

Doubtless you will have spotted the “modern Scandinavian design” too, with its Thor’s hammer headlights and closed off grille that echoes that of the all-electric EX90. Here you get active shutters for cooling of the petrol engine, though.

Inside it’s wonderfully bright and airy but predictably minimalist, with very few physical buttons and a giant 15.4in central touchscreen. The 12.3in driver display is also pretty large, and there’s the option of a 92in augmented reality head-up display for good measure. There’s also an AI voice assistant, because you can’t launch a new car these days without an AI voice assistant.

Like what you see?