New mega SUV from iconic brand takes shape: Swedish carmaker could look to Zeekr to form the base of new 2027 Volvo EX100 as a cut-price Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Range Rover, and BMW XM rival

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Jack Quick
Production Editor
16 Jun 2025
3 min read

China’s Geely, like many carmakers, is privy to rebadging vehicles between its brands.

The latest from this Chinese car giant could be a new SUV flagship for Volvo that’s based on the new Zeekr 9X plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and sits above the XC90 and EX90.

It’s theorised this new SUV could be called the Volvo EX100, but it’s unclear if this will be correct because the brand’s ‘EX’ models currently only pure electric vehicles (EVs).

Digital artist, Sugar Design, has mocked up what this new flagship Volvo SUV could look like with current Volvo exterior design language.

This includes the iconic ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights, and a full-width rear tail-light setup with Volvo script written out on the tailgate.

If this model does make it to production it’s likely to be offered with seven- and six-seat configurations across three rows, though an ultra-luxury trim with only four seats could happen.

Zeekr unveiled the 9X in April this year as its flagship SUV offering. It’s the brand’s first PHEV, previously only offering EVs.

With exterior styling reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and Range Rover, the Zeekr 9X is a large SUV with up to three rows of seating.

It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 205kW of power, mated with a 290kW front electric motor and a 370kW rear electric motor.

Full details still haven’t been announced, but Zeekr claims the 9X has an electric range of more than 380km that’s to the CATL-sourced Qilin battery pack.

If this flagship Volvo SUV happens, it won’t be the first time the Sino-Chinese brand has used Geely vehicles as the base of new models.

The Volvo EX30 small electric SUV is essentially a rebadged Smart #1 and Zeekr X, and the Volvo EM90 electric people mover is a rebadged Zeekr 009.

The latter of these Volvos is currently for the Chinese market only.

At this stage it’s still unclear when or if this flagship Volvo SUV will ever come to fruition.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Jack Quick
Production Editor
Jack Quick has proven himself as one of the most prolific motoring journalists despite still being relatively fresh to the industry. He joins the CarsGuide team after spending four years at CarExpert in various roles. Growing up on a farm in regional Victoria, Jack has been driving cars since before he could even see over the wheel. He also had plenty of experience operating heavy machinery. In fact, he currently holds a Heavy Rigid license. On the farm, Jack spent a lot of time bush bashing in his family’s 1992 Suzuki Sierra soft-top and 1985 Holden Drover ute, and this helped fuel his life-long obsession with cars. He currently owns a 2020 Suzuki Jimny for nostalgic purposes. A detail-oriented person with a huge flair for the creative, Jack does competitive hip-hop dancing outside of work. His team, Pacific Elite Sirens, recently competed at the 2025 Dance Worlds and placed 12th place in their division.
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