Volvo station wagons do have a future after all

Despite the dominance of crossovers in the Volvo lineup, there is hope for sedan and wagon enthusiasts. The new SPA3 platform, debuting in the electric crossover EX60, is flexible enough to create low-slung vehicles.

What's known

The main difference between SPA3 and the previous SPA2 platform is that the battery capacity does not determine the vehicle's height. Volvo's technical director Anders Bell explained to Autocar that SPA3 allows future electric vehicles to stay closer in size to internal combustion engine models without stretching the dimensions for accommodating large batteries.

More than 7 kWh of capacity can be placed in front of the front wheels, opening more possibilities for weight distribution and design flexibility. Battery elements can now be positioned in front of the cabin firewall, utilizing more floor space without compromising safety.

"In a lower car, you can remove the elements in the rear foot area because it's the rear seat passenger who determines the minimum height," explained Bell. Many modern electric vehicles on adapted combustion engine platforms look like crossovers because they have to be made tall to accommodate the flat battery between the wheels.

By moving the modules forward, Volvo creates recessed floor sections. The result is a lower roofline and natural ergonomics.

"We can make low, sleek, tall cars, minivans... It's all in the recipes. What we choose is another question," said Bell.

Theoretically, this opens up the possibility for electric versions of the S60 and S90 sedans, as well as the V60 and V90 station wagons. Such models could look more organic than the ES90 on a platform inherited from combustion-engine models.

Source: Autocar