Winner of the “EyesON Design” award at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the Volvo Concept XC Coupé is “turning functionality and contemporary safety into emotional experiences,” according to Thomas Ingenlath, the automaker’s senior vice president of design.
The vehicle has a strong connection to both “an active outdoor lifestyle” and the aim of offering customers “a world-class safety and support package,” he says.
“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,” observes Ingenlath, noting that senior executives, managers, engineers and marketing personnel have been stressing the “fun” aspect of creating unique automotive designs and technological innovations.
They have been using the Concept XC Coupé to demonstrate the design possibilities of the company’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) that will underpin most of its upcoming models, starting with the XC90 that is scheduled to premiere later this year.
Ingenlath recently reflected upon a series of questions about the new vehicles and Volvo’s plans for the future:
Q: Can an emphasis on safety really be “fun” as it has been described?
A: 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.
Q: Your design direction is based on the core virtues of “Scandinavian design.” What is the connection to the Concept XC Coupé?
A: 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.
Q: How does the aim to be a world leader in safety affect you and the design team?
A: “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.
Q: What are the most prominent new design signatures?
A: Every strong brand needs a set of visual keys that makes it unique. Future Volvos will be characterized by the distinctive iron mark in the floating grille, flanked by the T-shaped DRL lights. The larger bonnet (hood) 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.
Q: The Concept XC Coupé now and the XC90 coming later this year: How similar are they?
A: 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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