As car enthusiasts, we are constantly begging automakers to bring out unique cars that 99% of the population would never buy. Sorry enthusiasts, but an all-wheel-drive, manual transmission station wagon with 500 horsepower doesn't really appeal to the average consumer. This won't stop us from wishing and dreaming up cool new models that we think automakers should put into production.
With that in mind, we have come up with six awesome models that Volvo should build. Based on current industry trends, we doubt that any of these cars would be huge volume sellers, but they could perhaps fill niche roles within the Volvo model lineup. Here are our picks for six awesome special edition Volvo models.
Volvo V90 Cross Continent
Volvo already builds a lifted, body-clad version of the V90 wagon called the V90 Cross Country. We tested the V90 CC and found it to be a nice alternative to the majority of crossovers that are incapable of doing any legitimate off-roading. Still, we yearn for a bit more, so we'd like to see Volvo build an even more extreme off-road oriented V90 in the same vein as the insane Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain 4X4 Squared. We'd call it the V90 Cross Continent, and give it a more extreme lift kit with portal axles and extra horsepower from a Polestar-tuned twin-charged four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor.
Volvo V90 or Polestar 1 Shooting Brake
Our second iteration of the V90 wagon would be a two-door shooting brake model. Few automakers - except for Ferrari with the GTC4Lusso and a few aftermarket companies - still build shooting brakes in 2018, leaving the market wide open for a new entrant.
A shooting brake is the perfect bodystyle because it combines the practicality of a wagon with the looks of a coupe. Volvo's design language lends perfectly to a shooting brake, as we can see below in renderings from X-Tomi Design. The upcoming Polestar 1 also lends itself perfectly for a shooting brake variant and reminds us of the old BMW Z3 Coupe.
Volvo C30 Hatchback
Though it is closely related to the shooting brake we just recommended, we'd also love to see Volvo bring back a model from its past, the C30. The C30 was one of the most interesting hatchbacks on the market from 2007 to 2013 and we'd love to see it make a comeback. With Volvo's range of 2.0-liter four-cylinder twin-charged engines mated to hybrid drivetrains, a modern C30 with over 400 hp could be a serious hot hatchback.
Volvo C70 Convertible
As with hatchbacks, convertibles have been dying out in favor of crossovers and SUVs. Volvo used to build a convertible called the C70, and we think it may be time to bring it back. The market is full of sporty convertibles like the Audi A5/S5 and the BMW 4 Series, but we think there is room for an automaker to fill a niche with a true luxury convertible. While the German automakers try to make their cars sportier, thus ruining their ride comfort, Volvo could build a four-seat convertible built to be comfortable rather than sporty. Perhaps there are some buyers out there who want a comfortable convertible that won't rattle their teeth.
Volvo XC90 Amazon Or P90 Pickup
Volvo has built many interesting models over the years, but it has never built a pickup truck. We have two ideas for a Volvo pickup truck - one is an XC90-based truck which would revive an old Volvo name and go by XC90 Amazon moniker, the other is a V90-based truck that X-Tomi Design has dubbed the P90 (P stands for pickup). Either one of these would make a great luxury pickup truck for buyers who don't need the massive size of a full-size truck.
Volvo XC90 Or XC60 Coupe
Though it is far from our favorite choice on this list, an XC90 Coupe is the most likely to reach production. BMW and Mercedes have proven with models like the X6 and GLE Coupe that buyers are willing to pay a premium for SUVs with coupe-like rooflines, and even Audi is jumping into the segment with the new Q8. Volvo would be silly not to cash in on this market with a coupe version of the XC90 or XC60.
