Tuesday 19th April 2011

Concept Universe: Volvo Barges Into The Future

Shanghai concept points the way to new styling direction

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Volvo has used the Shanghai show to reveal a new luxo-barge flagship concept that showcases the Swedish company's new styling direction.

Being under the ownership of Chinese firm Geely, it seems only natural that Volvo should choose to reveal its new look in China, and so 'Concept Universe' gets its first airing here in Shanghai

Volvo says that the car is a "large, luxurious sedan with a new human-centric design language that honours the beautiful lines of classic Volvo models".

We're not quite sure what 'human-centric' means, but the chunky, clean look is quite a departure from the oh-look-it-melted-in-the-sun style of the current Volvo crop.

There's definite Volvo DNA in there, mind; the nose and bonnet apparently evoke the look of the PV544 of the 50s and 60s, while the rear lights are a sleeker version of more modern Volvo saloon tail lamps.

There's no word on how or when Volvo's new styling direction will appear on a proper production car, however - Volvo and Geely have yet to fully sort out their future model strategy.

 

[bobberz]

I can see the PV 544 influence in the bonnet, but that's just horrid!

[oilit]

i can see an xf / maser rear end and an sls esque nose - i actually (stupid grille aside) rather like it!

[Agoogy]

That is awful
Imagine that 'watered down' for production....just bad.

[Gun]

Nasty, that front end just looks awful.

[mikefacel]

Is that car trying to hypnotise me?

[LuS1fer]

Is the safety aspect sucking pedestrians in, grating them finely and spitting them out the back end?

That is like some LSD induced trip and horrid.

[ad551]

I love Volvo, but the front of that car makes me very worried about the future.

[Mr Gear]

I absolutely LOVE the front end. Its so rare to see something that really departs from everything that has gone before, I think it's to be commended. it looks like a piece of trendy 1960's furniture. The rest of the car is a bit bland, but the front is great.

[P9UNK]

oilit said:

i can see an xf / maser rear end and an sls esque nose - i actually (stupid grille aside) rather like it!

yes I agree, nice to see Jaguar have set some style trends. This Volvo kind of works and then maybe not...

[Digi75]

...want to be sick...

[Hellbound]

Great departure from the norm and shows Volvo's unique approach to car design. Well at least in concept form.

IF this was another bland saloon, there'd be complaints. Hope feedback for this concept is positive. Either way, Volvo learns and moves forward.

[nouze]

20 years ago Mercedes looked like Mercedes, BMW looked like BMW, Jaaaag looked like Jaaaag and Volvo looked like Volvo. Now they all look the same.

[FraserLFA]

It's Tron!!!!

And Human-centric, isn't that where a car is developed around the people inside? How a car is suppose to be developed anyway?

[Mr Happy]

It looks horrible, yet another identikit rep-who's-made-it fastback saloon. Volvo used to be a Swedish version of Citroen, with unique designs, genuine innovations and a clear brand identity - now they're just another manufacturer, same as the last one.

There'll come a stage where you end up buying your unbadged car husk from the government, then buy the badge you put on the front of it from Ford, Vauxhall, Volvo etc. They then plug the car in, flash some unique software to it (so the speedo/sat nav etc all have the badge on too) and that's your new car buying experience.

Oh yeah, and the front end looks like Kryten fking a cheese grater...

[j_s14a]

P9UNK said:

yes I agree, nice to see Jaguar have set some style trends. This Volvo kind of works and then maybe not...

Aston Martin set the style trend, Jag copied it. Doesn't stop the XF from being stunning though.

[Rixelieu]

j_s14a said:

P9UNK said:

yes I agree, nice to see Jaguar have set some style trends. This Volvo kind of works and then maybe not...

Aston Martin set the style trend, Jag copied it. Doesn't stop the XF from being stunning though.

All three brands were under Ford ownership when that design language was developed, I'd guess the same people were responsible for at least overseeing the design, so no copying.

[Schmeeky]

I really like this! The front wings look wide and aggressive from the rear 3/4 view, I love the integration of the high level brake light, and I really like the front, from the lines of the bonnet flowing into the mid-line crease to the lights/grill treatment! Lots of modern styling cues and some harking back to Volvos of old.

Hope it doesn't change to much in the production model.

[Escort Si-130]

WTF is this, the back isnt that bad, but the front is hideous; only a blind person would buy this.

[jem3]

Apart from the crazy grille looks great, much better than the new S60 which is just wrong. Would love to see them do a modern take on the P1800

[FraserLFA]

I REALLY like it. I'm clearly on my own.