2004 Volvo YCC Concept

What Women Want

This years Geneva motor show showed concepts more powerful than ever before, theoretically breaking acceleration and top speed records while wowing enthusiasts to dizzying levels of over-stimulation. The show also featured a bevy of lavishly appointed luxury cars and go-anywhere sport utilities. In all the attention grabbing excitement it might almost be possible to completely overlook Volvos latest teaser.

But the YCC (Your Concept Car) is pretty special on its own. After all, when was the last time a car was initiated, designed and engineered by a group of women? The answer is never, which is a ridiculous notion when the influence of the female sex is factored into a familys purchasing process, let alone the buying habits of an ever increasing demographic of professional women who dont need to ask anyones permission or advice when it comes to a new car purchase.

In real terms Volvo sells more cars to women than men in North America, 54 percent to be exact. Hence a concept car designed by women, for women. But the YCC is more than that, as men like cars that offer excellent visibility, that are easy to drive, deliver good expected durability, low maintenance and practical storage solutions. Truly, its a car for everyone.

The same goes for its styling. Just because the YCC was designed by women, it doesnt mean that it has to look girly. In fact, the YCC is aggressive, sporting and stylish, with pinched fenders and swooping "L" shaped headlamps, indicators and tail lamps. The effect is not cutesy like a Miata or New Beetle Cabrio, but substantial and purposeful.

Being close in size to the S60, this coupe could be a replacement for the outgoing C70. But Volvo ensures all that the upcoming C50, the C70s true replacement, wont look like the YCC at all. The concepts overall shape is quite unique really, as its not quite a true coupe and then again not really a hatchback. Its both, but it also takes on styling cues from Volvos classic P1800 two-door station wagon of the late 60s early 70s.

The cars most radical departure from convention is a set of gullwing doors, that open up and out like a birds wings. Such doors were made legendary on the revered Mercedes-Benz 300SL coupe from the 1950s, and afterward copied on exotic sports cars over the years with the "Back to the Future" DeLorean DMC-12 being the most famous since. The YCCs metal and glass doors expand just 23.6 inches from the vehicle after electrically operated mechanisms extend them fully, making openings in the roof panel for easier ingress and egress. When fully open they take up much less room than regular doors. Normally such extravagance remains relegated concept car status, but Volvo has stated that gullwing doors could end up on future production cars: the Swedish automaker has actually gone out and patented the unique mechanism.

While the doors are convenient, reliability and ease of use would rate higher on the average consumers list of demands. Thats why new cars are approaching a state where they require less and less owner input. Sure, dealer servicing is still required, but as a rule new cars are (generally) less finicky than in years prior. Volvo wants to improve on this low-maintenance characteristic even further, and in the case of the YCC does so by including runflat tires and an on-board computer that runs real time diagnostics tests and then contacts the dealer when servicing is required. But thats not all. Much like Audis A2 the YCC doesnt have a hood, but rather allows its potential owner to check the oil and fill up the windshield washer fluid in a dedicated "service bay."

The concepts exterior is finished in "Chameleon" paint which picks up different hues depending how you look at it. But the colors, which range from green to gold or blue to yellow, arent all that Volvo is concerned with when it comes to surface treatments. The paint is topped with a Teflon-like coating so dirt wont stick, and the bumpers are treated with a material thats scuff resistant. The result: a car that looks new even after going without a wash for months at a time. I think women should design cars more often.

So its practical, stylish and innovative; whats under the hood? Its not as grand as initially expected, but the powerplant the engineers chose is practical and thoughtful. The YCC features a version of Volvos ubiquitous five-cylinder engine, with output limited to just 215 horsepower. While its more than enough to propel a compact coupe of this size, after seeing the ACC and PCC concepts, 215 horsepower seems somewhat anemic.

To address both performance-oriented and relaxing driving styles, the car is equipped with a six-speed clutchless manual transmission featuring a fully automatic mode and a manual mode with steering-wheel mounted paddles for changing gears. To top it all off, the YCC is eco-friendly as well. It is PZEV (Partially Zero Emissions Vehicle) compliant thanks to the green motor, plus the addition of an integrated starter-generator that shuts the motor off when idling just like the Honda Insight.

As you may have guessed, much of the design groups creative talents were focused on the cars interior. At first it seems like an average show car inside, but attention to the details brings out the YCCs uniqueness. Light tones and hues help to create a calming ambience, with dark shades and black having been kept to a minimum. With the gearshift moved to the steering column and the use of an electronic parking brake, sufficient space has been freed up for Volvo to install a full-length console that divides the car in two. In production vehicles where most storage spaces are haphazardly scattered throughout the vehicle, Volvo has used the lengthy console to create an organized system with bins for trash, cell phones, a massive bay for a small backpack or laptop bag, and a chilled spot for drinks. Its covered in the same oak wood and light-colored eggshell effect trim as seen on additional accents throughout the cabin. The rest of the interior is rather minimalist, with simple controls for heating and stereo and a multi-function steering wheel.

As if the design group couldnt make up their minds regarding interior details, the YCC allows a decent level of personalization depending on the prospective owners personality. Volvo is dabbling in customizing with its new interchangeable S40/V50 floating console panel, but not to the level of the YCC. While the show car was fitted with yellow flower pattern seats, they can be ousted in favor of leather, microfibers or linen pads instead. The rear seats revolve around a unique idea too. Being that most coupe owners dont regularly use their cars rear seats, the YCC is equipped with movie theater style buckets incorporating seat bottoms that fold up and out of the way. This allows for quick and easy storage of a briefcase or bag.

Enforcing the active safety theme is Volvos Ergovision system. Upon purchase, the car (with driver in it) is scanned for seat, steering wheel, mirrors, pedals, heel rest, and headrest positions measured for optimal visibility. Its just one more way of helping the driver to remain comfortable and alert. Another unique feature is Volvos parking system which uses as sensor to judge whether or not the parking space is large enough. The car then guides itself into the spot but remains fully under the control of the driver.

While it may bear the same face as any other recent Volvo, the YCC is remarkable in the amount of new technologies that it brings to the automotive dream sector. While Im not sure how many of these innovations will ever make it over to reality - a V70 with gullwing doors is highly unlikely - items such as the PZEV engine, Ergovision, and even the dirt-resistant paint could become realities. And what about self-parking? If Toyotas Prius can be equipped with such a system and put into mainstream use (though only in Japan for the time being), I cant see why Volvo cant do the same sometime in the near future.

Ignore the notches in the headrest for ponytails and the heel rests that allow the car to be driven with stilettos, and the YCC is relatively gender neutral overall. While Mel Gibson may not have been successful at finding out what women want, Volvo seems to have.