The new Volvo EX30 Cross Country is a small, off-road electric SUV

Volvo has put walking boots and a storm jacket onto its EX30 electric SUV to continue a long, fine tradition of off-road Swedish motors that like to get muddy. This is the new EX30 Cross Country, which is a… city car able to have a splash in some puddles.

Deep puddles, because the EX30’s ride height has been raised by 19mm (12mm in the chassis, 7mm via chunky tyres) versus the standard, TopGear.com-award-winning regular EX30. Nothing regular about this Cross Country’s pace, mind.

Because it’s the ‘Ultra’ trim, which means a twin-motor, 422bhp all-wheel-drive powertrain able to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.7s. Those puddles won’t stand a chance.

Naturally this Cross Country version comes with a host of external modifications to signal its intent: the obligatory front and rear skidplates and wheelarch extensions, the latter hosting special 18in wheels.

Volvo claims up to 265 miles of range from the EX30 Cross Country’s 69kWh battery (427km), and the ability to charge that battery from 10-80 per cent in 26 minutes on a fast charger.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but expect something in the region of £47k.