The all new Volvo XC90 will be the first production car from the car maker to use a new modular platform called Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). The new design innovation is set to make the new model one of the safest vehicles on the market.

SPA is now becoming more common in the motor industry because it offers reduced development costs and economies of scale. Volvo says its SPA design also helps reduce weight and improve weight distribution of vehicles based on it, while also meaning more internal design flexibility. SPA also makes in simpler to offer electric or hybrid versions of cars.

In the case of the XC90 the SPA design makes extensive use of high-strength boron steel to make the structure of the vehicle strong and offer increased driver and passenger protection.

The new Volvo XC90 makes its official world debut at the Paris Auto Show in October and will go on sale next spring.