Because the firm’s founding in 1927, Volvo has turn into famend for its sensible, secure and trendy utility automobiles. Whereas finest recognized for its wagons, Volvo has produced all method of hatchbacks, supply automobiles, crossovers and even a brand new electrical van. Volvo’s first SUV, the XC90, made its debut in 2002, however newly launched sketches present the Swedish model was contemplating a legit off-roader within the Nineteen Seventies.
The sketches, that are “blueprint styling ideas” created to develop the design, had been posted to the Volvo Heritage Fb web page final week. In response to the corporate, then-CEO Pehr Gyllenhammer tasked longtime design supervisor Gunnar Falck with creating “a rugged automobile for Africa and creating international locations.” Apart from what we are able to see within the photographs, there aren’t any extra particulars or perhaps a identify for the proposed SUV, however what we are able to see appears to be like superior.
Taking the type of a two-door SUV much like a Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender, the Volvo idea has a wedge-like nostril, a lot of horizontal traces, an upright rear finish and a rear-mounted spare tire service. The slim nostril has rectangular lights and an egg-crate grille much like that of the 200 Sequence fashions that debuted in 1974, and the black trim piece working alongside the physique aspect is like that of the 240 and different fashions. I particularly just like the segmented window glass, the squared-off wheel arches and the reverse rake of the rear glass.
Given the quick overhangs, quick wheelbase and tall floor clearance, it looks like this SUV would’ve had fairly nice off-road capabilities, at the least in comparison with every little thing else Volvo was placing out on the time. Volvo has had a lot of success with rally racing and its automobiles are recognized for being absolute beasts within the snow, however the firm didn’t make a automotive with four-wheel drive till the 850 in 1996. Perhaps the shortage of an acceptable four-wheel-drive system and SUV chassis is likely one of the causes this mannequin by no means got here to fruition.
