Volvo's XC90 successor to be named Embla

Volvo will reportedly break a half-century long tradition for its next flagship model, as it ditches alphanumeric names in favour of one from mythology – Embla.

Having defaulted to alphanumeric names for its models since 1970, the next major vehicle from Volvo will reportedly be called Embla, referencing the first woman in Norse mythology.

Effectively replacing the flagship XC90 SUV, the Embla will be based on Volvo's Concept Recharge, the fully-electric four-seat luxury SUV shown off over the past year as Volvo's biggest influence for its future design language.

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Volvo's Concept Recharge

According to Autocar, the Embla name was teased by outgoing CEO Håkan Samuelsson who said the XC90's successor would start with a vowel.

In October last year, Volvo submitted a trademark application to the European Union Intellectual Property Office, with the opposition period set to end on January 28, 2022 – after which Embla become's Volvo's name to use however it sees fit.

If Volvo does utilise the Embla name for a production car, it will be the first time since the Amazon went out of production in 1970 where it has used something other than alphanumerics to designate its models, with the current line-up consisting of the S60, V60, XC40, XC60 and XC90.