Volvo XC90 is the first to be built upon the new Scalable Product Architecture

The highly anticipated all new Volvo XC90 SUV which will be launched in two weeks' time in Stockholm, Sweden, will be the first car in its range to be built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular chassis technology developed in-house. The cornerstone of the automaker's ongoing $11billion (S$13.7 billion) transformation plan, the SPA - under development for the past four years - will be eventually rolled out across the product range in future.

The benefits of SPA are twofold.

First, the flexibility of SPA allows Volvo's engineers and designers, to devise and introduce a wide range of new and alluring design features at the same time as improving driveability, introducing state-of-the-art safety features, offering the latest connected car technologies and creating more interior space.

Secondly, SPA will change the way Volvo builds cars in the future by allowing a wide range of cars, powertrains, electrical systems and technologies - all of differing complexity - to be fitted on the same architecture, generating significant economies of scale.

SPA helps make it possible for Volvo to bolster the company's world renowned reputation for safety without compromising on design, size or weight. Thanks to the extensive use of high-strength boron steel, SPA cars can be made more compact and safer at the same time.

With SPA, previous design limitations in areas such as wheelbase, overhang, vehicle height and the height of the front are removed. The new SPA chassis technology reduces weight and improves weight distribution and improves driving pleasure without compromising on ride comfort.

SPA also allows for far more flexibility inside the car. The new XC90 features innovatively designed seats that free up interior space for passengers in the second and third rows, helping make the new XC90 a genuine seven-seater.

The sliding function on the second row can be used to create more legroom for passengers in the third row - or to increase load capacity. Volvo claims the seats in the third row offer class-leading comfort for passengers up to 1.70m in height.

Volvo believes - with SPA - it has managed to overcome the struggle of combining the bulk of a battery pack, and integrate electrification at all levels without intruding on interior space or load space to provide a luxurious and spacious interior.

SPA also includes an innovative electrical architecture that elevates the car's intelligence level significantly. It is designed to make it easy to integrate new technology within fast-moving areas such as microprocessor, sensor and camera technology. This facilitates the introduction of new accident preventing safety solutions - and enables rapid introduction of new multimedia and connectivity options.