The fact that the Volvo SC90 concept stands absolutely zero chance of production is almost criminal. The design was created by Nouphone J. Bansasine, a graduate of the Art Center College in Pasadena, during his summer internship at Volvo. Although the fact he now works as a designer for Volvo helps keep the hope alive that someday Volvo will create a car which is influenced by the SC90.
The sleek and aggressive styling of the SC90 almost completely disguises the fact that this is a four door vehicle. The model was a proposal for a new flagship for the Volvo brand and the exterior design is certainly one worth following. Nouphone said of the design, "My proposal was based on the growing trend for premium 4 door coupes, taking the concept to the extreme by exploring and developing a premium 4 door sportscar for the year 2015."
During the development process of the SC90 concept Nouphone was assisted by the designers working at Volvo who were able to give him feedback on the design and his progress.
The interior of the SC90 concept features four individual seats and is flooded with light thanks to a panoramic glass roof.
Volvo S60 concept
Over the last few years Volvo have really started to bring their styling up to par with the opposition, even if it has been a little bland. The S60 Concept displays a new styling direction which is far more daring than any previous models from the manufacturer. At the front there are sleek headlights, prominent grilles, and a sculpted hood with integrated air intakes. Down the sides there is a strong shoulder line which runs the entire length of the car and helps define the wheel arches. At the rear are stylish arched taillights and stylized tailpipes.
The unusual pillarless door mechanism consists of conventional front-hinged front doors, and innovative rear hinged back doors which swing back and out. Although this feature stands almost zero chance of making it through to production, it's nice to know that the designers and engineers are still coming up with new solutions to everyday problems.
The interior of the Volvo S60 Concept has a light and airy feel thanks to the pillarless side windows and a full glass roof. The use of light colored materials helps to accentuate the feeling of space. Highlights of the S60 Concepts interior include a floating centre console and an advanced digital dash display.
Like all Volvo models the S60 Concept puts safety high up on the list of priorities. The S60 Concept is the first vehicle to be fitted with Volvo's Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake. This system uses a camera, radar and computer to help eliminate low speed (under 12 mph) collisions, and also seriously reduce impact forces in higher speed accidents. The system will also apply the brakes to maximum effect without driver input if it detects a collision-imminent emergency.
Powering the 2009 Volvo S60 Concept is a GTDi (gasoline turbocharged direct-injection) four-cylinder engine which develops 179 horsepower. This is connected to a Powershift dual-clutch gearbox. The engine is equipped with start/stop functionality and an "DRIVe" economy mode. These features help the S60 Concept achieve fuel economy in the region of 47mpg and CO2 emissions under 120g/km.
Volvo XC60 concept
The 2007 Volvo XC60 Concept going on display at the 2007 North American International Auto Show is very much a car for the future. The XC60 Concept is a preview of the next XC model to come from Volvo Cars, yet it also reveals innovations and design elements that will be part of all future Volvos.
The classic iron mark was reintroduced on Volvo’s cars almost two years ago and on the XC60 Concept it has been enlarged to make the brand image even stronger.
The new angled position lights on both sides of the XC60's grille are also part of the DNA of Volvo’s next car generation. Together with the headlamps and the sweeping front wings, they radiate an aggressive stance that also emphasizes the bonnet’s V-shape.
The skid-plates front and rear are integrated to give an elegant yet distinct signal that the Volvo XC60 is primarily a crossover with pronounced on-road properties.
With 20-inch wheels, accentuated wheel housings and aluminium scuff-plates, the muscular XC feel is emphasised in the lower half of the car, while the windows’ sleek profile and the dramatic roof line give the upper part a sporty coupe ambiance.
The Volvo XC60 features a unique two-piece rear tailgate and a transparent roof, with dark-tinted glass attached on top of a Y-shaped bearing structure.
The Volvo XC60 Concept has an interior design that is chracterised by a sleek floating centre console incorporating the main interior controls and navigation display. A mixture of leather and aluminium are used for the interior trimmings, the upper part is typically Scandinavian light, while the lower section has a contrasting dark, espresso brown shade.
The Volvo XC60's main instrument resembles a bumble-bee with a round analogue speedometer as the body” in the middle flanked by two digitalwings” featuring display screens for other information.
VOLVO YCC, CONCEPT
The YCC concept was designed by an all female design team. YCC stands for 'Your Concept Car', the concept is aimed at the professional, independent woman desiring performance, style, practicality and ease of maintenance in one package.
The YCC has pronounced arches so that from the drivers seat all four corners of the car are visible for easy maneuvering and parking. The car uses gullwing doors to allow access to the interior - which is again purposely built with the lady in mind.
The seats have a slit in the headrest to accommodate pony tails and a light floral pattern sperads across the seat cushion and back rest, and the floor has an adjustable footrest for different footwear.
The interior is also supplied with a notebook computer, a wastebasket and a coolbox. Instrumentation is simplified for ease of use and the YCC also features an auto park function which measures the space and then parallel parks the car automatically.