Volvo Shows Silhouette of S60 Concept

Yesterday Volvo Car Corporation released a teaser silhouette of its upcoming S60 Concept, scheduled to appear at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on January 9. Volvo promises that the concept will offer a “clear indication” of what the replacement of this critically important production sedan will look like when introduced in 2010. "We both can and dare to deliver even more exciting and more dynamic designs while retaining our grip on the lead position with regard to safety," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO at Volvo Cars. “The concept car shows part of our future, it's a hint that the all-new S60 will be one of the strongest contenders in the CD premium segment.”

This initial image reveals shows that Volvo is following a trend of coupe-inspired four-doors that it really was instrumental in starting with the current S60, a sleek, elegant design in its own right.

"The concept car's design gives a visual promise of enthusiastic driving characteristics and I can assure you that the all-new S60 will deliver a sporty drive like no Volvo before," added Odell.

Volvo

points to “new shoulders” that resemble a “double wave” design from its headlamps to the taillights, while the aggressively sloped rear roofline adds to its sporting demeanor. "The inspiration comes from the Swedish coastline's cliffs and seas,” commented Volvo Cars Design Director, Steve Mattin. “An exciting blend of drama and sensuality. This concept car takes our design DNA to the next level. We're talking about a ‘Dramatic New Approach', meaning that we gradually turn up our cars' visual volume. The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we've been even more daring – there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future in the slightly longer perspective."

Inside, Volvo continues with its high-end stereo floating center stack design, this one made of Orrefors crystal “shaped in a graceful, transparent wave from the instrument panel all the way to the rear seat backrest,” says Volvo's accompanying press release. The crystal panel is said to appear like it's floating above the center stack's “ergonomically designed functionality,” resting against rubber pads.

"In a concept car the aim is to give your imagination a free rein and our iconic super-slim center stack was the perfect object,” continued Mattin. “Using pure crystal is a thrilling experiment. We may well see interior features in crystal-like materials in the future.”

While the S60 is still a strong seller for Volvo, it's in its final year in the current body style, fighting it out in a very competitive and extremely trend-oriented marketplace. The latest is the greatest, oftentimes, therefore Volvo retailers will welcome the new S60, bound to be packed full of the latest technologies and powertrain upgrades.

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