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Volvo aligning model range into three families

Things have been slow in Gothenburg the past few years, but they're picking up speed. The only new model Volvo has released in the past four years since it was taken over by Geely - that being the V40 introduced in 2012 - started its development when the company was still under Ford's umbrella. But now the Swedish automaker is preparing to launch a volley of new models, and the new XC90 is only the starting point.
Volvo has set out to align its product portfolio into three model families - 40, 60 and 90 - each with three body-styles: sedan, wagon and crossover. (Volvo presented a tidy little table, which we've replicated below, to outline what it has in store.) That means a new S40 sedan and XC40 crossover as well as a replacement for the current V40 wagon, all to be based on a new platform shared with Geely. It also means replacements for the current S60, V60 and XC60 to be based on the modular SPA platform that underpins the new XC90, as well as a new S90 sedan to replace the S80 and a new V90 wagon to succeed the V70 and move it up-market above the V60.
All of these models are set to arrive within the next four years as Volvo moves to replace its entire lineup by 2019 and subsequently move to more competitive seven-to-eight-year product life-cycles. But as aggressively as Volvo is pursuing this renewal of its core models, they're not the only things Gothenburg has in store. Keep reading below to learn how Volvo's model line will flesh out over the coming years.

Volvo promises new direct-injected diesels, 8-speed auto

As a part of eliminating its dependence on Ford platforms and powertrains, Volvo has previously announced information about its Volvo Engine Architecture (VEA) and Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA), but now we're finally getting some details about what will power some of the Swedish automaker's next-generation products.
The biggest key to VEA on the diesel engines is a new technology Volvo calls i-ART. This system uses unique injectors at each cylinder capable of monitoring fuel pressure and adjusting accordingly to maximize fuel economy and performance and reduce emissions. Looking ahead, Volvo says its four-cylinder engines will be able to offer the power of a six-cylinder and eventually, mixed with some sort of electrification, will be able to rival the performance of a V8 and "turn V8s into dinosaurs."
More details about the new diesel injection technology is posted in the press release below.

Volvo denies boss Jacoby is taking a run at Opel CEO post

It seems that every news report that involves the name "Opel" is eventually followed by a report that says, "Uh, never mind." Executives fill positions, then they're gone, or they're supposed to fill positions but duck out before doing so, five-year product offensives turn into grabbing for life preservers, and turnaround plans are followed by... new turnaround plans. With the recent departure of Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke, Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri reported that Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby topped the list of candidates to sit in Opel's very hot seat.
Volvo spokesman Stefan Elfstrom has piped up to say "Mr. Jacoby is fully occupied with running Volvo and has no plan for leaving his present job." Stranger things have happened, though, and who knows what the truth is, but we have to admit we'd be surprised if Jacoby jumped off the Volvo express - recently given an $11-billion boost by parent company Geely - to take his chances in the Opel maelstrom.
So Opel's search for a CEO continues. At least we have the Adam to look forward to.