The mid-sized premium SUV market is about to seriously heat up, with planned introductions of new soft-roaders from the likes of Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz and Volvo. This possible SUV from Sweden’s Volvo is expected to reach dealers in early 2008, ahead of an official launch towards the end of next year, and will follow the lines of the larger XC90.

Likely to be carrying the XC50 label, the new car will share its underpinnings with the current V50 wagon but with styling closer to the more recent C30 hatch. This rendering from InfoMotori is said to closely resemble the production version of the new SUV, which will be both “sporty and dynamic,” and will feature new V shaped headlights. Under the hood, the car will share engines with its V50 cousin, including both turbo and petrol units ranging from 145 to 220hp as well as several diesel versions.

[Source: InfoMotori]