VOLVO is bringing back its large estate cars a year after dropping them from its line-up.

The move - due to ‘popular demand' - comes as the Swedish car maker is launching Black Editions of its fully electric EC40 crossover and EX40 SUV and petrol XC40 SUV.

The company - now owned by China's Geely conglomerate - sees the mid-size V60 return in Plus and Ultra specifications with either the T6 or T8 petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrains while the larger V90 comes in the same trim choices.

The V60 powertrains combine a 145hp electric motor with a 253hp or 310hp petrol engine respectively, or the 197hp B4 mild-hybrid petrol set up.

The V90 is available only with plug-in hybrid engines - the T6 for the Plus version and the T8 for the Ultra.

Prices are from £43,370 for the V60 and £62,280 for the V90 with both models having a competitive benefit-in-kind tax rating of eight per cenet for business/company car users.

First deliveries of all the new models are expected to start in the autumn.

The Black Edition models have all-black exterior styling, including the paintwork, a black high-gloss front grille, Volvo emblem and tailgate badging, plus 20-inch five-spoke high-gloss black alloy wheels.

The models are available with two equipment grades, Plus and Ultra, with on-the-road prices from £40,720.

There are two powertrain choices for the EC40 and EX40 Black Edition models and in addition to the rear-wheel-drive 252hp Single Motor Extended Range, there is a new all-wheel-drive Twin Motor Performance version which delivers 442hp - up from 408hp in other all-wheel-drive EC40s and EX40s - and a remapped accelerator response.

It also comes with a Performance drive mode while the XC40 Black Edition is offered with the B3 and B4 mild-hybrid petrol powertrains, with 163hp and 197hp respectively.

The Plus specification includes features such as a heated steering wheel and outer rear seats, front parking sensors, a powered driver's seat with memory settings, an advanced air-purification system and suede textile/microtech upholstery.

The fully electric EC40 and EX40 also have an energy-efficient heat pump for the climate control system that helps maximise driving range.

At the top of the range, the Ultra versions add a 360-degree surround-view parking camera system and active bending pixel LED headlights with adaptive shadow technology.

A powered passenger seat and power-folding rear headrests are also provided, together with a tilt and slide panoramic sunroof on EX40 and XC40 models.

Full pricing of all the new models is as follows:

Single Motor Extended Range Plus Black Edition RWD - £55,055 Twin Motor Performance Plus Black Edition AWD - £59,555 Single Motor Extended Range Ultra Black Edition RWD - £58,605 Twin Motor Performance Ultra Black Edition AWD - £63,105

Single Motor Extended Range Plus Black Edition RWD - £55,055 Twin Motor Performance Plus Black Edition AWD - £59,555 Single Motor Extended Range Ultra Black Edition RWD - £58,605 Twin Motor Performance Ultra Black Edition AWD - £63,105

B3 Plus Black Edition FWD - £40,720 B4 Plus Black Edition FWD - £42,120 B3 Ultra Black Edition FWD - £45,470 B4 Ultra Black Edition FWD - £46,620

B4 Plus FWD - £43,370 T6 Plug-in Hybrid Plus AWD - £50,935 B4 Ultra FWD - £48,070 T8 Plug-in Hybrid Ultra AWD - £57,635

T6 Plug-in Hybrid Plus AWD - £62,280 T8 Plug-in Hybrid Ultra AWD - £70,780