Volvo aims at Volkswagen Golf - might introduce five-door hatchback

Ever since Geely's ownership of Volvo, the former has been trying to promote the latter as a premium segment marque - a serious contender to the likes of established heavyweights Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. And hopefully an expanded lineup and increased focus on premium craftsmanship and design is how Volvo seems to achieve its target.  

Recently Volvo and Geely collaborated on a small platform and if sources are to be believed, it might underpin a new entry-level XC40 that will slot between the V40 Cross Country and the larger XC60. The new model will compete with the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and recently announced Mercedes GLA.

After the XC40 is introduced, Volvo will be all set to launch a five-door hatchback - akin to the segment king - the Volkswagen Golf. The rumoured model is reportedly more spacious than the V40 and could take on the of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series sedan as well. So like the previous generation Golf and Jetta, expect a hatchback and sedan body style - and hopefully a Polestar badged hot hatch to take on the Golf GTI or Golf R.

Not forgetting its current line up - the successor to the current S60 will be introduced in 2017 and the XC60's successor to follow up in 2018. The first SPA-derived Volvo would be the long awaited successor to the well received XC90 - due next year. It will be followed by the significantly larger S90 sedan and the V90 wagon in 2016 - replacing the current S80 series.

It is also noteworthy the marque aims to phase out all five and six-cylinder powertriains by 2016, as such any future models could be fitted exclusively with four-cylinder units good for up to 306bhp and with three-cylinder units rated at up to 204bhp. An additional 100bhp of power boost is also likely if Volvo is keen on a plug-in hybrid.