2023 Volvo Embla could be the name of the electric XC90

Volvo is waving goodbye to the method it has been using for many years to name its cars, combining letters with numbers. The first production vehicle to get a fresh moniker will be the XC90 replacement coming next year, and we know from the company’s CEO Hakan Samuelsson that the first letter of the word will be a vowel. He made the disclosure in a recent interview with Automotive News Europe.

The full name of the all-electric SUV could be Embla according to a recently discovered trademark filing. The first model from the Swedish brand in more than 50 years to do away with the alphanumeric designation could use the name of the first female in Norse mythology, which would make perfect sense given Volvo’s tradition.

Offered exclusively with an EV powertrain, the XC90 successor is said to have a completely flat floor layout and will serve as a foundation for a more dynamic version taking the shape of the Polestar 3. Volvo’s head honcho told ANE it will be a true electric-only vehicle by not making any compromises associated with EVs that use platforms shared with combustion-engined cars.

The top brass at the Geely-owned automaker went on to say it’ll be a “great product” destined to hit the market in the near future, with details regarding technical specifications and final name to be announced closer to launch. Expect a high seating position and ample legroom for passengers sitting in the back, along with a generous greenhouse for great visibility all-around.

While the Volvo Embla is going to be offered with three rows of seats, the equivalent Polestar 3 will come exclusively with a two-row layout and a more sloped roofline to give it a sleeker profile. Another difference between the two will be the extra power of the Polestar version, but the Volvo will also offer a dual-motor configuration with all-wheel drive.

Production of both electric SUVs will take place at the company’s Ridgeville factory in South Carolina. The Volvo Embla and Polestar 3 are going to be officially revealed next year and should be marketed as 2023MY products in the United States. Further down the line, a bigger electric SUV previewed by the Concept Recharge pictured here will slot above the XC90 successor.

Source: Automotive News, Drive