Volvo’s electric successor to the XC90 SUV has been pictured in production form (or close to it) for the first time.
Images filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, first published by Worldscoop, show an upright SUV which borrows heavily from the Volvo Concept Recharge.
A separate filing, picked up by Motor 1, suggests the Embla name will be used alongside the EXC90 badge.
The front end features slim lights and a closed-off grille due to its electric powertrain, while the side profile is part SUV and part Cross Country wagon.
The flat, aero-style door handles are becoming more common in modern electric cars. The upswept window line and strong shoulders are classic Volvo, while the rear features an evolved take on the slim light signature that features on the brand’s current range.
We’re expecting to see the XC90 successor, dubbed Embla, by the end of 2022. When it launches, the car will debut a new architecture for Volvo.
Volvo Concept Recharge 
Reportedly an evolved version of the current car’s SPA architecture, which underpins the brand’s medium-to-large vehicles, it’ll support both pure electric and petrol power, the latter likely featuring mild- or plug-in hybrid systems.
Electric SPA2 vehicles will reportedly offer a completely flat floor, shortened overhangs, and a more cabforward stance, while combustion-engined models will reportedly feature more conventional interior proportions.
Previous reports have indicated the XC90 replacement will be offered only with electric powertrains. The current XC90 will hang around for a few years longer to offer buyers who want petrol power an option.
Current XC90 
Volvo has previously confirmed all models will use laser imaging, detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology developed by Luminar, plus an autonomous driving computer powered by the Nvidia Drive Orin system-on-a-chip.
The new SUV will also feature a Highway Pilot feature developed in-house with software company Zenseact, allowing for autonomous driving on highways where legal.
These features will support over-the-air updates and are future-proofed, allowing for more advanced autonomous drive systems to be introduced later.
MORE: Everything Volvo XC90
