Volvo's SUV lineup is bound to gain a new member, the compact XC40, which has been already previewed by a concept that uses the same moniker. Speaking to Autocar at the unveiling of the all-new V90 Cross Country, the brand's research and development boss, Peter Mertens, said that the XC40 will be the first of the recent 40-series when it will arrive in early 2018. 

Besides being another addition to the brand's SUV family, the upcoming XC40 is also believed to be a landmark for the Swedish-based manufacturer, as it is expected to significantly boost sales. Last year's numbers show that Volvo is relying heavily on SUVs: out of 503,127 cars delivered globally, nearly 267,000 were Cross Country and XC models. The best-seller was the XC60, with 159,617, followed by the V40 hatchback, with 83,357 examples.