Concept Hints At Future Luxury Volvo - Ford Forums

Stacy94PGT · 04-16-2003, 22:58

TheCarConnection
by TCC Team

For the moment, it�s just a show car, but Volvo�s Versatility Concept Car provides a good look at what is likely to become the Volvo V90. It is �our vision of what a future Volvo luxury wagon would look like,� suggested the Swedish automaker�s new design chief, Henrick Otto. Surprisingly curvaceous for a Volvo, designers aimed to instill what Otto called �drama� in the VCC. One of the more unusual features is the headlight design. A series of vertical slits contain so-called Fixed Bending Lights, which actually track left or right while the car is cornering. The VCC has large doors and no B-pillar between them, the rear doors opening in reverse. Up front, there�s Nubock leather shag carpeting in the Scandinavian post-modern interior. The VCC consolidates gauges and controls for a clean look. Each of the five passengers gets a touch-screen display for access to all sorts of digital technology. In the leather covered cargo compartment, a touch extends the cargo floor and uncovers two hidden compartments, one heated, one cooled. Volvo has a solid track record, in recent years, of transforming concepts into production cars, such as the S60R sports sedan, and the hot-selling XC90 sport-ute.

Stacy94PGT · 04-17-2003, 00:15

Another pic.....

Stacy94PGT · 04-17-2003, 13:37

Volvo Brings Impressive Versatility Concept to United States

Cars.com
�Reported by Christopher Goodwin for cars.com;
Images by John Hertog for cars.com

NEW YORK � When Volvo introduces a concept, the automotive world pays attention. That�s because Volvo concepts become Volvo production cars � at least that�s the prevailing perception after Volvo�s Adventure Concept Car became its XC90 and its Performance Concept Car became the S60 and V70 R performance cars.

And so it is that Volvo�s VCC, the Versatility Concept Car, was one of the most studied introductions at the Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland last month. The car was introduced to American automotive journalists today at the New York International Auto Show and is likely to draw as much attention throughout the auto show�s duration as it did in Geneva.

A 250-horsepower, turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline V-6 engine powers the VCC � a full-size luxury wagon that is loaded with innovative features. Among them is a �static bending light� system that directs headlamp beams in the direction the car is turning. The system has three vertically stacked lamps aimed at different angles: one straight ahead in conventional fashion and two that come on only when the car is turning.

The VCC�s roof is an X-frame with glass panels, ambient lighting and safety curtain-type airbags. The car has the Volvo-hallmark upright grille, V-shaped hood and shoulder along the side of the car. It is equipped with rear-hinged rear doors and no B-pillar � a setup that increases ease of entry but reportedly won�t make production because of safety issues.

The interior is a statement of elegance, function and simplicity. A center console �floats� through the cabin. Climate-control vents are concealed, and dashboard and console instrumentation is minimized. The steering wheel has a fixed hub � that means it doesn�t spin, which facilitates more switchgear including paddle shifters. High-strength steel in the A-pillars reduces their width and increases visibility. The seats and trim are exquisite Havana leather, the cargo floor is leather-lined, and the floormats are shag leather carpet. And that�s just the beginning.

The sliding cargo floor is electrically operated via a switch on the rear pillar. The rear hatch closes itself at the touch of a button. A heated storage compartment and a chilled one are located under the load floor. An optional pop-up child-safety seat is integrated in the center of the rear seats, which slide individually. A solar-powered Volvo Ambient Air Cleaner filters nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons out of the air. With turbochargers and direct gas injection, the VCC allegedly gets 100 kilometers per gallon of fuel � that�s 62 miles per 1.7 gallons. There�s even a key fob that functions as a security/function monitor. It beats like a heart if all is well, and it pulses faster if not. A display on the fob will tell you what the problem is.

Whether all these accoutrements will make it to production is up to you, according to Thomas Andersson, executive vice president of marketing for Volvo Cars of North America. He announced a plan called Concept Lab Volvo that encourages auto show visitors to provide input on this concept and others. To launch the program, Volvo has created several rudimentary concept mockups that show attendees can comment on via computer right at the show. The concepts include an ultralight compact four-passenger sedan derived from motorcycle design, a city/suburban sport utility concept called the Urban Jungle Rider, a compact four-wheel-drive roadster that uses an aluminum structure frame and is extremely short, a four-seat hatchback that shares prevailing Volvo style cues, and a futuristic sport coupe whose swooping styling, Andersson said, is inspired by the P1800 Volvo of the 1960s. The interactive display encourages enthusiasts to express their views of the concepts.

The Concept Lab Volvo is an evaluation tool, Andersson said. �It will help us bring concept cars more quickly to market.�

Also at the New York show, Volvo announced that sales were up 16 percent for the first quarter of 2003, that the company has enjoyed five straight months of growth and that the XC90 is now Europe�s top-selling SUV.

(Photo) Volvo VCC concept