Tuesday 16th December 2008

Volvo S60 Concept

Radical new concept suggests future direction for company's saloons

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Being the exciting people that we are, in the PH office this morning we were discussing how all of the current Volvo saloon cars look remarkably similar. They're not 'unattractive' by any means, but they are getting very similar to one another, and certainly not the most exciting designs on the market.

This new S60 concept however, which will probably do the motorshow rounds in 2009, suggests a new direction for Volvo saloon car design. Far from the '3-box' saloons of the past, it is a streamlined shape with coupe-like proportions and a sharply-sloping roof give a refreshing, aggressive look to the design.

There is no B-pillar and what appear to be frameless doors, again emphasising the idea of a fashionable 'four-door coupe'. The classic Volvo grill is still there at the front, but in redesigned form and sat between new sculpted headlights.

Meanwhile the rear of the car sports more interesting detailing, including LED lights and triangular exhausts strangely similar to those found on the current generation of Honda Civics. The doors open out like a Mazda RX-8, however this is probably to give the public a better look at the snazzy interior.

The interior looks light and spacious, making the most of the large windscreen to let in the light lost by the high doorline. The striking instrument binnacle is cleverly-lit, and details such as the pedals and gear selector are all quirky and refreshing. Despite this, this is the usual concept car fodder, and only time will tell how many of these details make it through to the next generation of production cars.

The S60 concept apparently carries various innovative gadgets including Volvo's new collision warning system with automatic braking, and a clever system to avoid pedestrian collisions that uses radar and a camera to 'see' things that the driver may not have noticed.

A dual-clutch gearbox will channel power from a 179bhp turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which will apparently be able to achieve 47mpg using clever efficiency features, including a stop/start mode to save fuel and an economy mode called 'DRIVe'.

Whilst the S60 concept remains just a concept, its engine, called a 'GTDi' (gasoline turbocharged direct injection), will apparently make its appearance in the Volvo lineup this year.

[Steameh]

Hmmm, looks suspciously like the current mondeo concept.

[190E Matt]

Steameh said:

Hmmm, looks suspciously like the current mondeo concept.

Although thats not a bad thing...

[wrence88]

looks like a lexus at the front!!!! ummm

[B10]

Perhaps this is to help garner a buyer for Volvo cars?

[motormania]

Am I the only one who thinks that car manufacturers should be spending money trying to fix their BUSINESS MODELS rather than keep wasting money on CONCEPT MODELS. All the greatest looking cars in the world are not going to solve the current st hole they are all in...

It's time we the poeple forced the governments around the world to stop bailing out all these private companies. They may throw back to us the 'jobless' card, but we didn't put them in the current position, they did it all themselves. As private companies, they cream off the success when things are all rosy, shame that they can not take the blame when the st hits the fan.

[Matto20vt]

That front grille is nasty, the rest of it looks alright though.

[Henchman]

I think it looks rather nice. Have a look at this video of it:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KAtW_vrOzYg

[eddy_hyde]

Steameh said:

Hmmm, looks suspciously like the current mondeo concept.

not the only one that noticed that

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NhQ4U2-Sz_s&feat...

It is the same platform though, so gonna look similar no matter what, and both have nicked the Ian Calum AM/Jag rear 3/4 haunch treatment (like XF etc)

[AlpineWhite]

Is it me, or does the front end look like it's melting?

[C]

Wow...these Volvo boys dont pull a crowd anymore 9 comments!!! you guys need to head over to the 'Subaru quits WRC' thread 120 comments and counting...

[604]

Erm... I actually really like it. Shame its just a concept - we'll have to wait n see what the production car looks like...

[mulletmark]

Pistonheads said:

They're not 'unattractive'

Have you lot been smoking crack? In terms of design I think the old 3 box designs are much easier on the eyes than this.

I'm with you AlpineWhite. It looks like the work experience boy left the clay model by the radiator overnight.

[Swedish Brick]

Sorry "190 E Matt" this IS a bad thing. Volvos are supposed to be tastefully individual, not another "chip of the old Ford block" with a Volvo badge slapped on the front grille for a good measure. It takes more than that to make a "Prestige" car, which is what Volvos are supposed to be, not a "Mondrearyo" in drag. Mullet Mark & Alpine White are right, this new design is crap and it doesn't matter how many "redeeming" safety features you fit inside it, the outside still looks ....... ugly.

If only I had enough money. I like the cars so much I'd buy the company...and get it back where it should be...out of Fords' influence !