Geneva Motor Show: Volvo Finishes Their Concept Trio With The Concept Estate: Comments

[William Maley]

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First came the Volvo Concept Coupe at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This was followed up by the Concept XC Coupe at the Detroit Auto Show. For Geneva, Volvo completes the concept trifecta with the Concept Estate.

Think of the Concept Estate as being the sister car to the Concept Coupe as the two models are the same below the beltline. Both have similar front fascias with wide grilles and distinctly shaped headlights. Where the Concept Estate differs is above the beltline and back. The roofline is much longer than the Coupe and flows into a tailgate. The back end has wide haunches and slim, angular taillights. Volvo says the overall design of the Concept Estate pays homage to the 1800 ES from the early seventies.

Inside, the Concept Estate features seating for four people and single digital cluster for the instrument cluster. The center stack is taken up by a tablet-sized touch screen that features Volvo's new infotainment system.

Volvo isn't saying what the Concept Estate is powered by at this time.

Source: Volvo

Press Release is on Page 2

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Volvo's new concept car is a celebration of Scandinavian creativity

• State-of-the-art technology meets fashion and craftsmanship in the Volvo Concept Estate
  

After unveiling two applauded concept cars in the Concept Coupe and the Concept XC Coupe, Volvo Cars will use the Geneva Motor Show to uncover the final car in a series of three, revealing where Volvo is heading in the very near future. The new interior design language, the Stutterheim collaboration, the large portrait touchscreen and the intuitive new user interface manifest how Volvo put Scandinavian creativity at the core of its new design strategy.

"Creativity is thriving in Swedish society. This includes design and technology as well as the fashion, music and arts. This inspired us to create a new, exciting way to express Sweden's soul," says Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Car Group.

Under Ingenlath's direction, Volvo Cars is undergoing a transformation, and the Concept Estate is his bold interpretation of the most classic Volvo heritage – the estate car. The exterior echoes the design of the iconic Volvo 1800 ES from the early 1970's, but with modern features such as the low bonnet, a glass roof, the new 'floating' grille and the T-shaped DRL light guides. While the silhouette is a powerful display of Volvo's new proportions, the most striking feature of the Concept Estate is the inside of the car.

With this car, Volvo reveal, for the first time, how the interior of Volvo's upcoming models will both look and function. The Concept Estate's most prominent interior design feature is its simplicity, utilizing exclusive materials and bringing the driver cutting edge technology and authentic craftsmanship in perfect harmony. The traditional selection of buttons and controls have been replaced by one large tablet-like touch screen control panel in the center console, bringing the interior firmly into the 21st century.

"We have created a digital environment that is fully integrated in the car. The basic idea is to organize controls and information in a perfectly intuitive way, making the drive more enjoyable, efficient and safe. Everything is exactly where you expect it to be, and available at the touch of your finger," says Ingenlath.

The touch screen will be the main control panel for Volvo's new in-car user experience. It replaces all buttons and controls except for a few crucial functions such as volume, play/pause, hazard warning and window heaters. It also interacts seamlessly with the adaptive digital display in front of the driver. "Not having to deal with buttons and controls for a growing number of functionalities is like being freed from a pair of handcuffs," explains Robin Page, Design Director Interior of Volvo Car Group.

Contrasting the cutting-edge technology is the craftsmanship, the high-quality materials and the beautiful detailing in the cockpit. The colorful trends within contemporary Swedish design has inspired the orange seat belts and the woven wool carpets from Swedish designer Kasthall, and Volvo's collaboration with the Swedish fashion scene is manifested by two exclusive Stutterheim raincoats in the back of the car. The trunk also holds a specially designed "kubb" game set, offering people a piece of Swedish lifestyle.

The interior is exceptionally confident. The glass roof and seats covered by light, soft leather help to retain that bright and cosy feeling that is the hallmark of a Swedish living room. The crystal gear leaver from Kosta Boda, a recurring feature in all three concept cars, has an orange glow, giving ambience to the room – and the instrument panel is covered by thick, naturally tanned saddle leather from Tärnsjö with inlays made of naturally aged wood and machine copper details.

Volvo Car's new design language and the groundbreaking driver experience will be introduced in the next car generation, starting with the all-new Volvo XC90 revealed during the fall of 2014.

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[Drew Dowdell]

Hot!

[G. David Felt]

Very Stylish 2 door Station wagon.

Is that a battery bank in the back under the plexi glass? A little tired of the big center console between front seats. I think there is room to have a bench seat so your loved one can sit next to you.

[ocnblu]

Gorgeous car. Needs built.

[ZL-1]

Guessing this will be, in 5-door and higher ride height form, the new XC90 (and also that this theme will be the new S80 and V70 styling language). I'm liking it and enjoying that Chinese ownership isn't constraining the Swedes from doing what they do best: great yet not overdone designs!

[G. David Felt]

If they can build this, then GM needs to find a way to build the Nomad which is what I thought of at first when I saw this.