Volvo is in the midst of a comprehensive overhaul of its lineup, and right now the focus is on renewing the three core vehicle lines?from the range-topping 90-series cars (XC90, V90, and S90), to the mid-level 60-series, to the entry-level 40-series compacts. But what happens when that task is done" At the reveal event for two concept cars previewing the XC40 compact crossover and one other 40-series car/crossover mix, a video animation depicted the brand?s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) with a variety of different body styles, including a convertible. The point was to highlight CMA?s flexibility?after all, this platform will underpin at least two 40-series Volvos, as well as an unknown number of cars for Volvo?s parent company, Geely?but it turns out the video might not have been pure hyperbole. In a sit-down with Volvo?s head of research and development, Peter Mertens, we asked whether the CMA platform could support variants beyond the crossover, wagon, and stilted-up sedan Volvo has proposed so far. His response" Of course CMA could sit beneath a convertible or perhaps even a coupe, but for now, Volvo?s focus for that platform?and its larger sibling, Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which sits beneath the full-size 90-series cars and will underpin a new generation of mid-size 60-series Volvos?is on the core models. Over the next few years, Volvo hopes to bring out V (wagon), S (sedan), Cross Country (lifted V or S), and XC (crossover) versions of t...