#Volvo 40 Series Concepts Show Radical New Direction [Auto Styling News]

Volvo has unveiled two new concept cars that move the brand in an audacious new direction and mark the official launch of its global small car strategy. The Swedish company is currently implementing an ambitious revitalization plan that it hopes will re-position the brand to compete with its global premium competitors within the next four years.

The new 40 series concepts demonstrate for the first time how Volvo plans to expand into the large and lucrative global market for premium small cars with a range of vehicles that have a bold exterior design.

If you haven't heard of the V40, you are, like me, an American. Sadly, this awesome 5-door hatch, which has been produced for Europeans since 2012, hasn't made it across the pond. Which is too bad, because even the current version looks very nice, and probably would have been great sellers here in the "luxury entry" category.

But the new 40s, dubbed 40.1 and 40.2, which are due to hit roads around the world in 2017, are gorgeous.

Volvo 40.1 concept, rear side view

The 40.1, shown at right, is the SUV-like model, with a distinctive, and quite attractive, rear panel treatment that cuts across the rear doors and offers a micro-side panel window that is unique - though the blind spot it creates is enormous. The "L-shaped" Volvo tail lamps are similar to current models and adds great visual interest, though also highlighting the huge rear panel. Overall, the rear reminds one of the Porsche Cayanne, if you squint.

The indenture on the lower doors adds visual interest, and it is necessary, since without it, the side view would be almost Hyundai-like (and circa 2005, not today's racy models.) The front lamps on this and the 40.2 are stunning, with a sideways "T" bringing a style that has been evolving into something beautiful on recent Volvos.

Volvo 40.2 concept, rear three-quarter view

The 40.2 concept is something else altogether; far more car-like and conventional, but hardly anyone would use that "C" word to describe it.

There's a definite early-80s "Audi Quattro" feeling to the 40.2, and maybe that's not by accident. This is especially visible in the rear quarter, with a more subtle uptick creating a smaller rear panel than the 40.1, but enough to show that it is meant to represent a family resemblance. The headlamps and front grille also strongly resembles its 40.1 brother.

The side view is very butch, and despite being a small-ish car, the wheelbase looks enormous. The small windows and low roof are extremely handsome, and the "cut" in the lower doors are far more pronounced than in the 40.2, and flare off radically into the rear wheels (seen clearly in the three-quarter view, at left)

The rear is almost Mustang-like - and that's meant as a deep compliment. The two-pronged tail lamps (if there is enough showing from the rear for them to be effective in traffic) point to the Volvo lettering that could say  "Mustang." The large panorama roof is also an amazing feature.

Volvo says both new concept cars will be the first to be built around its new Compact Modular Architecture, which has been specially created for smaller cars and which has liberated the company’s designers and engineers to explore bold and daring new directions.

This global small car range will include a pure battery electric vehicle as well as Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain variants.

Of course, perhaps we shouldn't get our hopes up just yet about ANY version of these cars hitting our shores. But they would be foolish not to bring them. Pricing has not been released but the 40.1 car and 40.2 mini-Ute would be great entry-level cars for the brand if they're in the lower $20k range.

New #Jaguar F-PACE Keeps Pace With Costlier Rivals [Auto Styling News]

Jaguar enters the Mini-Luxury SUV category with the F-PACE in June, and it's pretty stunning.  The F-PACE, visually inspired by the Jaguar F-TYPE, is billed by the British automaker as a performance SUV with the DNA of a sports car. And it sure looks the part.

The proportions of the F-PACE support a low drag coefficient of 0.37. Completing its assertive stance, the ‘teardrop’ shape is emphasized by a very pleasing roofline. Optional LED headlamps feature Jaguar J-Blade LED daytime running lights that look appropriately aggressive.

Its grille is also borrowed from the F-TYPE, which is either hit or miss, depending on whether you think it steals from Volvo too much. (And I tend to think it does.)

Buyers will get an extensive choice of lightweight, aerodynamically efficient alloy wheels, as large as 22” in diameter.

The vehicle will be offered in base, "Premium" and "Prestige" lines, running from about $41,000 to $49,000, competitive with BMW X4 (which it more than resembles) as well as the Porsche Cayenne and the new Maserati Levante.

The F-PACE, like the new XE (which tends to borrow the look of a Lexus and other luxury brands he way that earlier KIAs stole from automakers, including Jaguar) had better be gold for the brand, because with under 15,000 units sold annually, they need a winner - and fast!

The good news? With great looks and reasonable pricing, the F-PACE seems on pace to be a winner for Jaguar.