Volvo patents hint at compact and electric models: Polestar EVs could be on the way
Volvo has filed several trademark applications for new models in the US and Europe.
First picked up by website swedespeed, it appears the Swedish manufacturer is preparing to introduce compact V20 and V30 models in the US, while the European application includes the names P5, P6, P8, P9 and P10.
According to the European document, the 'P' nameplates are for electric vehicles, while there are little details as to what the V20 and V30 could be.
Above: Volvo S90 T8 plug-in hybrid
The P-models could be upcoming electric versions of current models where the 'P' badge would come after the model's name - XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid is already offered, so an XC90 P8 could be the name of the EV variant.
At the 2017 Detroit motor show, Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo Cars America president, told CarAdvice the Polestar performance brand will be retired as we know it with the current-generation S60 and V60 Polestar models, then rebooted into an electrified line-up in a couple years time.
"How we see Polestar in the future is always linked to some sort of electrification," he said.
This likely means the 'P' badging stands for Polestar, as the next generation of the tuning firm's models will be electric or electrically-assisted.
Above: Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar
Meanwhile, the applications for V20 and V30 in the US only list motor vehicles, though judging by the company's naming conventions it's possible it's planning two new hatchback models to slot under the V40 - perhaps competitors to the Mini and Audi A1 premium light cars.
With no other details confirmed at this stage, we'll have to wait and see what Volvo comes out with over the next few years.
0
