Volvo is opening the door to reviving classic saloon and estate models, like the S60 and V90, thanks to the flexibility of its new SPA3 electric vehicle (EV) platform. Currently, five out of six Volvo models are SUVs, with the remaining one, the ES90, adopting a crossover-like high ride height.
The shift comes as a response to the growing demand for more diverse vehicle options. Despite previous statements suggesting limited space for traditional cars in its planned lineup, Volvo leadership has clarified that SPA3 allows for dramatically improved engineering adaptability.
Battery Packaging and Platform Flexibility
The key lies in the SPA3’s design. Unlike earlier EV platforms adapted from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, SPA3 was built from the ground up for electric powertrains. This means the battery capacity no longer dictates the vehicle’s height.
Anders Bell, Volvo’s chief technology officer, explains that removing the constraints of ICE components – engines, exhaust systems, and fuel tanks – allows for greater scalability in vehicle design. “We can make [cars] high. We can make them low,” Bell stated. This is achieved by optimizing the packaging of components and structures to suit different designs without sacrificing performance or safety.
Addressing Vehicle Width and Crash Safety
One benefit of the SPA3 platform is that it allows for more efficient battery packaging, potentially reducing the need for wider vehicles. Traditional ICE platform adaptations often force battery packs to extend sideways to increase capacity, but the SPA3 removes this constraint.
The new platform also enhances crash safety by allowing for a more flexible front crash structure, independent of engine bay requirements. This enables Volvo to distribute battery cells further forward in the vehicle without compromising safety standards. By moving the meeting point between the battery and the front crash structure forward, Volvo can accommodate at least seven kilowatts of battery capacity while maintaining its rigorous crash testing standards.
“We can put seven kilowatts – at a minimum, probably more – of the pack further forward, while still doing all the crazy Volvo crash stuff,” Bell said.
The SPA3 platform unlocks new possibilities for Volvo EVs, enabling them to closely resemble traditional ICE cars in width, height, and overall silhouette. This move signals a potential shift in Volvo’s model strategy, offering customers a wider range of choices beyond the current SUV-dominated lineup.
