Color It You: Volvo Gets Personal with XC40 SUV

Volvo Car Corp. says the upcoming XC40 compact crossover/SUV will be its most colorful model ever.

The all-new vehicle, which is due in 2018, will be available in dozens of possible color combinations. Exterior choices will include a range of solid monochromatic hues and vivid two-tone selections.

Among the interior options are Lava Orange carpet and Oxide Red seat trim. Buyers also can select from a variety of materials and patterns for the headliner, door insert and dashboard.

The design team used street fashion, city architecture, high-end designer goods and popular culture as sources of inspiration. Noting the XC40’s buyer demographics are expected to skew much younger than those of other Volvo models, the carmaker says the design goal was to create a sense of “energy and playfulness” to reflect an owner’s individuality and the vibrancy of the cities in which they live.

Volvo will unveil the XC40 later this year. The vehicle will compete in the growing premium compact SUV segment against the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Cadillac XT4, Infiniti QX30, Lexus UX and Mercedes-Benz GLA. Volvo also is readying sedan and hatchback versions of the XC40.