VIDEO: Designer on the Volvo XC60 concept
Check this video out - it's great. You get to take a walk-around of the XC60 concept with Volvo design chief Steve Mattin. We're not so sure about the enlarged Iron symbol. The old Alchemists' shorthand for iron has been on Volvos in a more proportionate and tasteful way since the dawn of the brand. It looks a little overly emphasized here, kinda like that monstrous Cadillac crest on the 'Slade, or the really big Blue Oval on the teeny tailgate of the Ranger.
We really like the trick tailgate, though, and the interior is beautiful. We're not sure how that much white leather would hold up in regular use, but it looks great teamed with the center stack that glows from within. They must've been watching Tron when they designed this thing.
It's great hearing that the lines of the XC60 are a hint of where the styling of the Volvo brand is headed, and that they're working hard to add more bombast to Volvo vehicles. Let's hope they can find the balance between the traditional Scandinavian design strong points and butching it up a bit. Volvo design has sure come a long way from the boxy days of not too long ago, and their progress has been remarkably quick. There's nary a squared-off edge in sight on any of their models, and they still retain familial cues after having gone all swoopy on us.
[Source: MotorAuthority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
aaron @ Dec 21st 2006 4:41PM
his name is steve martin. he is the director of volvo design...the actual designer of the XC60 is someone else...
Mattb @ Dec 21st 2006 4:54PM
The XC60 looks incredibly promising! Too bad Volvo won't have it out in Sept. '07 when my current lease is up.
John P. @ Dec 21st 2006 5:11PM
Very Nice. Things are looking up for Volvo it seems.
dave @ Dec 21st 2006 7:12PM
Nice car, obviously...
moryarti @ Dec 21st 2006 7:25PM
Great design ... The speed of the trunk door could be a problem, especially if there isn't a manual mode... but most probably there will be.
Andrew @ Dec 21st 2006 8:49PM
Buick called and will be suing for Enclave copyright infrigimant.
Dan @ Dec 21st 2006 9:09PM
post has been updated, thanks for the tip
Shaun @ Dec 21st 2006 9:57PM
I drive a Volvo c70. The seats don't have a manual slide forward mode to get people into the back. You need to wait for the seat to motor all the way forward.... And then back. Its such a pain in the ass. I've given up on rear passengers. So I can see not having a manual mode for the truck.....
Dan @ Dec 21st 2006 10:45PM
Don't get too distracted by some of the details like the chunky actuation of the tailgate and the highly reflective dash top. There's a federal standard for dash reflectivity in the windshield (which owners then totally screw up by putting Armor-All on the dash...ick) and the tailgate operation will be vetted exhaustively until it operates in a way buyers will accept.
JimboNC @ Dec 21st 2006 11:57PM
It's designed for people who aren't in a hurry, do not have kids and a big dog, do not carry anything dirtier than their wallets, and who always wear sunglasses to block the glare of the dash-top reflecting in the windshield. Please, remove your shoes before entering. No smoking, no drinks, and definately no gooie candy which can get between you and the seat fabric.
Thank you very much.
JarryHames @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:03AM
#10 - agree
It is for the IKEA, Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel crowd for sure. And don't forget the trips to your local corner Starbuck's.
#12 @ Dec 22nd 2006 11:56AM
Come on people! Do you understand what the word "Concept" means? This is not the final product. This is just for show. The final exterior design will probably be somewhat different, they'll lose the automatic rear door, and the interior will be in black and beige, with much less technology gizmos on the dashboard. This is just the "design direction" of the actual finished XC60.
Peter @ Jan 1st 2007 2:53AM
Wow, interesting tailgate opening and instrumentation.. the XC60 seems to take Volvo into the future, not without such glimpses of the past - like, only in the photos of heritage Volvos and 70's American Muscles have I seen spaced out trademark badges (V O L V O) on the rear.