In the world of digital automotive design, imagination often paves the road before production does. This week, a new concept stirred the excitement of SUV fans everywhere: a Digital Volvo XC110 brought to life through a CGI rendering by the digital artist known as Theottle. The project explores what could happen if Volvo decided to enter the growing market of rugged luxury off-road SUVs.
Volvo’s Challenging Market Outlook
Volvo Cars has had a mixed year. After a strong 2024, both Volvo Cars and the Volvo Group’s commercial division are now facing a slowdown in 2025. The company reported a 7% drop in deliveries in the third quarter, down to 160,514 vehicles compared to the same period last year.
Despite lower sales, Volvo posted a “solid result” thanks to cost-cutting measures that boosted its operating income and EBIT margin. These measures included reducing indirect and variable costs and announcing plans to cut up to 3,000 positions across the organization.
However, Volvo isn’t slowing down when it comes to innovation. The company plans to counter weaker demand with new model launches, including the upcoming all-electric Volvo EX60, set to debut in January 2026. CEO Håkan Samuelsson, who recently returned to lead the brand, confirmed that the EX60 will target “the largest and most popular electric segment.”
At the same time, Volvo is completing its new Kosice plant in Slovakia and expanding production of its ES90 electric sedan in Chengdu, China, as well as the affordable EX30 crossover in Ghent, Belgium. more photos
The Digital Artist’s Vision: A New Kind of Volvo SUV
While Volvo focuses on electrification, one digital artist is imagining an entirely different direction for the Swedish automaker. Inspired by rumors that Audi, BMW, and Genesis are working on their own rugged SUV models, Theottle decided to bring Volvo into the off-road conversation, at least virtually.
In his latest CGI video, Theottle merged elements of the Volvo EM90 luxury minivan with the body design of the Rivian R1S, a well-known electric adventure SUV. The result? A boxy, muscular, and adventure-ready creation dubbed the Volvo XC110.
The digital model combines Volvo’s signature Scandinavian elegance with the stance of a true off-roader, shorter wheelbase, taller proportions, and an unmistakably bold presence. The visual mash-up feels both futuristic and nostalgic, echoing Volvo’s long history of boxy, practical SUVs and wagons that became icons of family adventure and safety.
Rugged Luxury SUVs: The Next Big Trend
The idea of a high-end off-road SUV isn’t new, but it’s gaining major momentum. Traditional powerhouses like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Land Rover Defender, and Lexus LX have long dominated the “go-anywhere in comfort” category. Now, premium automakers are reportedly racing to enter the segment with next-generation rugged models that combine luxury interiors with true off-road performance.
That’s what makes Theottle’s concept so timely. If Volvo were to release something like the XC110, it would not only mark a bold design statement but also expand the brand’s identity into territory long held by German and Japanese rivals.
As Theottle explains, “I couldn’t help but wonder, will Volvo be the next premium brand to join the fray? That curiosity led me to envision a hypothetical boxy, go-anywhere off-roader for the Swedish marque.”
A Glimpse Behind the CGI Curtain
The artist’s behind-the-scenes video reveals how the transformation happens. It starts with a Rivian R1S, which is digitally reworked into a shorter, taller version of the EM90. The headlights, grille, and styling cues are all unmistakably Volvo, clean, confident, and modern. The finished render feels so real that it’s easy to imagine it sitting in a Volvo showroom beside the EX90 and XC90.
While it’s purely digital art for now, the XC110 shows how much enthusiasm there is for a Volvo-built adventure SUV that combines electric power, premium comfort, and real off-road ability.
Reality Check: No Official XC110 (Yet)
Despite the growing fan interest, Volvo has not announced any plans to introduce a model above the XC90 and EX90 lineup. For now, the XC110 exists only in the digital world, a beautiful “what if” born from creative imagination.
Still, this rendering might spark something within the design studios in Gothenburg. With automakers exploring new niches in the SUV market, Volvo could very well be inspired to take a step beyond its current electric focus and bring a rugged contender to life.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not Volvo ever makes an XC110, this digital project proves one thing: fans still crave adventure-ready SUVs that mix ruggedness with refinement. Theottle’s work captures that balance perfectly, a vision of what Volvo could be if it decided to build the ultimate Scandinavian off-roader for the modern age.
FAQs
Is the Volvo XC110 a real SUV or just a concept?
Right now, the XC110 is not a real car. It’s a digital design made by an artist using computer graphics. The concept shows what a rugged luxury SUV from Volvo could look like if it were built.
Who designed the Volvo XC110?
The XC110 was created by a digital artist known as Theottle. He used computer software to mix the design of a Rivian R1S and a Volvo EM90, creating a boxy, powerful-looking SUV.
Will Volvo actually make the XC110 someday?
There’s no official plan to build it yet. Volvo hasn’t confirmed anything above its current XC90 and EX90 models. Still, the idea has caught people’s attention, and it could inspire future designs.
What makes the XC110 different from other SUVs?
The XC110 concept mixes a luxury look with off-road toughness. It’s imagined to have a tall, boxy shape, wide tires, and a design made for adventure, something between comfort and rugged power.
Why are rugged luxury SUVs becoming popular?
More drivers want vehicles that can handle dirt roads and snow, but still feel premium inside. Brands like Mercedes, Land Rover, and Lexus have proven that people love comfort mixed with strength.
Is the XC110 electric?
Since it’s based on the Rivian R1S and inspired by Volvo’s electric lineup, the XC110 is imagined as an electric SUV. That fits Volvo’s future plans for all-electric vehicles.
What is the Volvo EX60 mentioned in the news?
The EX60 is an upcoming electric SUV that Volvo plans to launch in 2026. It’s a real model that aims to compete in the most popular electric vehicle segment.
Why are car makers cutting jobs and costs right now?
Many automakers are facing slower sales due to higher prices, global challenges, and changing demand. Cutting costs helps them stay strong while investing in new electric models.
What is the Volvo EM90, and how is it related to the XC110 concept?
The EM90 is Volvo’s new luxury minivan. The artist who imagined the XC110 used the EM90’s design style, especially its front and lights, to shape the look of the digital SUV.
Could digital designs like this ever become real cars?
Sometimes they do! Car brands often look at fan concepts for ideas. If enough people love a design, companies may take inspiration from it in future models.
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