Is the Volvo 240 coming back? – Auto magazine Svet

Volvo, a brand synonymous with safety and Scandinavian design, has long balanced practicality with subtle style—a tradition that will likely continue with the upcoming ES90 electric sedan that will debut in March 2025. But what happens when that future is viewed through a bold, retro prism?

Independent designer Jordan Rubinstein-Towler took it upon himself to offer an intriguing answer to that hypothetical question with his fictitious 2026 Volvo 240 concept. This modern version pays homage to the brand’s iconic, boxy past while integrating cutting-edge technology and premium design elements, bringing the classic silhouette into the 21st century.

While Volvo has turned not just a new page, but a whole new chapter in its design evolution over the past few years, ask any customer, or better yet, car enthusiast – what Volvo’s most iconic design is, and the 200 series is likely to answer.

The original Volvo 200 series, built from 1974 to 1993 as the successor to the equally boxy 100 series (both designed by Jan Wilsgaard), achieved cult status. It’s often referred to as the indestructible automotive equivalent of the Nokia 3310 phone: tough, indestructible and uncompromisingly practical. But in Rubinstein-Towler’s vision, this long-lived model was reimagined for an entirely different era, one where charm must coexist with cutting-edge connectivity and aerodynamic elegance.

The Volvo 240 concept is designed as an electric vehicle, which is evident from the completely closed radiator grille and the absence of exhaust pipes. In theory, this mid-size sedan could use Geely’s SPA2 platform, which is shared with the Volvo EX90 SUV, including a 111 kWh battery and two electric motors with up to 510 horsepower (380 kW / 517 PS). The possibility of such a drive adds a sense of reality to this speculative project.

However, as is the fate of most independent concepts, it will likely remain a digital fantasy. Still, it’s hard not to imagine how a production version could shake up the market. In some alternate reality, this retro-inspired EV could easily replace the S60 and V60, injecting a much-needed dose of character into the midsize segment. Perhaps even providing a real challenge to BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse.