One car that we couldn't cover in any depth at the time we ran our NAIAS day one coverage last night, was the Volvo S60 concept. Well now the pictures of it are up on Robb's flickr site, and we've decided it merits its own blog - just look at it! We knew that Steve Mattin was up to some cool stuff with the brand, but this is fairly staggering! CEO Steve Odell said in his press conference, that this car was designed to cement Volvo's position as a premium brand. Well, lets just say that this concept can quite easily stand toe-to-toe with any recent offering from BMW or Merc...
The extreior previews Volvo's new design language, complete with "racetrack" shoulders, trapezoidal grille, and Scandinavian inspired forms, language and colours. Comedy award goes to the headlights, which designer Mattin seemed very proud of. What he said about them, was picked up by @commutr on twitter again, who had his second comedy genius moment of the day, saying "I think I just heard the Volvo designer say 'if you look into the headlights, you'll see the image of two Viking longboats".
"Two tiny Viking Longboats in the headlights"
However, it was inside where you really needed to look. Sadly, Volvo would only open the door if you were carrying a film camera the size of a pillar box, with CNN emblazoned on the side of it - so photos are through the window. Words can't really describe how interesting and special an interior this is - but yes, the obvious answer to the question you're asking in your head, is that it is a real 'crystal' centre console - made by famous Swedish glass company Orrefors Kosta Boda.
S60 concept interior... complete with 'crystal' centre console:
We'll leave you with Robb's great pictures, and with the vain hope that Volvo don't water it down too much in the production version... (don't worry guys, we know it's not going to have a crystal console, but please can we have everything else? *please*)
Full photo set here - teaser below:
Posted by Joseph Simpson on 12th January 2008
Photos by Robb Hunter - potatowedge on Flickr.
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