VOLVO has embarked on a model-renewal overhaul as part of a multi-billion dollar investment splurge by owner Geely, that will make the latest Volvo XC90 large luxury SUV released only last year, its oldest model inside four years.

Hot on the heels of the V541-series S90 sedan’s October launch will be the V542 V90 wagon by mid 2017. Replacing the S80 and V70 respectively, both will also be joined around the same time by the racier R-Design sports kit variants, as well as the T8 ‘Twin Engine’ petrol-electric eco/performance hybrids.

Additionally, later next year should see the jacked-up V543 V90 Cross Country, Sweden’s answer to the Audi A6 Allroad, to further boost Volvo’s large-car assault on the German luxury establishment. This time it will serve as the replacement for the XC70, which is no longer in production.

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That will be followed not long afterwards by the S40 sedan and V40 hatch offshoots, targeting a host of competitors including the Mercedes-Benz CLA and A-Class; BMW 1 Series; Lexus CT and the Audi A3 Sportback. All three of these 40 Series models will usher in Volvo’s GEP3 three-cylinder petrol powertrains, starting with a 1.5-litre unit, and most likely downsizing to 1.2 and/or 1.0-litre alternatives later on.

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Note that full BEV battery electric as well as plug-in hybrid spin-offs of these are also in the pipeline, and slated to surface sometime in 2019.

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Like their larger SPA-based siblings, the Cluster 60 cars will also be larger, lighter, and stronger than before, with a significant rise in passive (such as boron steel in the superstructure), as well as active, safety. These will also use the VEA Drive-e family of modular 1.5 and 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel powertrains, as well as the now-inevitable T8 petrol-electric hybrid options.

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Finally, a word on Polestar: We hear that the VEA 2.0-litre petrol engine is capable of pumping out in excess of 300kW of power; with one insider suggesting that nearly 400kW is possible. Volvo is keeping mum on whether it will challenge the BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, and Audi RS hotshots, but if performance figures like that are possible, the Swedes would be silly not to try.

Volvo New Model Timetable S90 – October 2016 V90 – Q2 2017 V90 Cross Country – end of 2017 XC40 – end of 2017/early 2018 S40/V40 – 2018 XC60 – 2018 S60/V60 – late 2018/2019