Volvo has been designing SUVs since the 1970s.

Volvo finally entered the SUV market in the early 2000s with the launch of the first XC90, but it had been designing SUVs since at least the 1970s.

Shortly after Land Rover launched its first Range Rover and before Mercedes-Benz launched its first civilian G-Class, Volvo designed a boxy two-door SUV.

An official design sketch of this SUV was recently posted on the Volvo Heritage Division's Facebook page, along with some information about its original purpose.

According to Hans Hedberg, manager of Volvo Heritage, the design sketch was drawn by Gunnar Falck, then Volvo's design manager, and represents the early concept styling stage of development. At the suggestion of Per Gyllenhammer, Volvo's CEO at the time, he began sketching out ideas for an SUV that could be sold in developing regions, particularly in African countries.

The design combined the boxy appearance of Volvo sedans with the short overhangs and square wheel arches typical of SUVs. The production version may have resembled the 1980s XJ-generation Jeep Cherokee.

Volvo eventually abandoned the SUV idea for the next few decades, but revived it with the Adventure Concept car, which debuted in 2001 and heralded the first XC90 to appear a few years later.

Volvo fans can look forward to more content from the Volvo archives, like these design sketches, as the Volvo Heritage department said it plans to reveal more hidden Volvo gems.