The Volvo Concept XC
Coupé has a strong connection to both an active outdoor lifestyle and Volvo
Car Group's (Volvo Cars) aim to offer customers a world-class safety and
support package. “Enjoying a car with great power and capabilities, at the same
time as you are safe and protected, gives a great feeling of joy and freedom,”
says Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice
President Design at Volvo Cars.
Your design direction is based on the core virtues of
Scandinavian Design. What’s the
connection to Volvo Concept XC Coupé?
“Outdoor activities are an important part of the Swedish
lifestyle. Your leisure time is dedicated to enjoying life. And your Volvo
must, of course, support this desire. Our XC models express this by blending
expressive style, generous functionality, All Wheel Drive capability and
world-class safety.
“We will continue to refine Volvo’s strong connection to
outdoor activities with more emphasis on modern materials. It’s about making
functionality an emotional experience. Just like high-tech sport gear, our cars
will blend attractive design and sophistication with strength and intelligent
capability.”
Can safety really be
fun?
“Being protected is a good feeling. Having the right gear –
in this case the car – builds peace of mind and confidence. This in turn
enables you to fully enjoy your drive and your adventure.
“This is perfectly in harmony with our human-centric
approach and exceptionally strong heritage. It is exciting to create a new
design expression that supports established brand values as well as the
repositioning towards a more emotional, distinctive premium brand.”
How does the aim to be a world-leader in safety affect you
and the design team?
“The new architecture liberates both us and the engineers
from the limitations of previous cross-brand platforms. SPA enables us to
create the great proportions that are important to achieving a premium look.
The engineers can solve the safety challenges with more extensive use of
high-strength boron steel and a new ingenious electrical architecture.”
Which are the most
prominent new design signatures?
“Every strong brand needs a set of visual keys that makes it
unique. Future Volvos will be characterised by the distinctive iron mark in the
floating grille, flanked by the T-shaped DRL lights. The larger bonnet with its
new topography, the beltline spanning an elegant bow along the length of the car
and the sharpened shoulder connecting with the new rear light are other
important design signatures. They all contribute to the confident stance. The
overall simplicity, both exterior and interior, has a strong connection to the
Scandinavian lifestyle.”
The Volvo Concept XC Coupé today, the all-new XC90 in 2014.
How similar are they?
“The Volvo Concept XC Coupé is another demonstration of what
our new architecture is capable of. It brings us a bit closer to the all-new
XC90. But it goes without saying that a three-row, seven-seater will have a
larger and fuller look than this four-seater. Volvo Concept XC Coupé is more of
a Cross Country version of a sleek sports wagon.”
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