The Volvo Concept XC Coupe: Sophisticated capability and contemporary safety, inspired by modern sports equipment
01/08/2014
Volvo
The second of Volvo's three concept cars is the new Volvo Concept XC Coupe. Inspired by the design of modern sports equipment and demonstrating the safety capabilities of Volvo's new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), it is a sophisticated and capable car for people with an active lifestyle.
"Those who love gravity sports freely seek new thrills and challenges. To ensure that they make it back in one piece, they prefer high-performance equipment that offers the ultimate sense of freedom and protection," says Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice president design of Volvo Car Group.
"The Volvo Concept XC Coupe is perfectly in tune with this active lifestyle. Its capability and protection is cleverly integrated into the sophisticated looks. Concept XC Coupe is ready and willing to bring you into the adventure zone and back," he adds.
Sleeker and safer at the same time
The three concept cars are designed to demonstrate vital elements of the company's new Scalable Product Architecture: the confident stance, the proportions and the most prominent design signatures.
"Concept XC Coupe also shows how clever engineering makes it possible for us to reinforce our world-leading safety without compromising design, size or weight. Thanks to the extensive use of high-strength boron steel and structures with new, ingenious decoupling, we can make SPA cars more compact and safer at the same time," says Ingenlath.
The two-door, four-seat Volvo Concept XC Coupe has a strong connection with its sibling, the Volvo Concept Coupe. However, the larger 21-inch wheels, the more accentuated wheel-arches and the taller roofline all contribute to a more robust impression and a fuller, capable look.
The extended distance between the dashboard and the front axle is still a very powerful visual element. The capable stance is emphasized by details such as the new hood and a beltline that spans an elegant bow along the length of the car.
High-tech sport gear
The connection with modern, high-tech sports gear is highly present in the concept car. Among the sources of inspiration for the design team is the Swedish company POC, which develops high-tech protective gear for gravity sports athletes.
"Several orange details and exterior graphics in combination with bold use of matte rubber moldings, which cover the rear end of the car, add to the highly functional expression of the design," says Ingenlath.
To strike the right balance between aesthetics and functionality, the design team has also given it traditional SUV elements, such as side moldings and skid plates, a modern interpretation. They are more integrated into the sleek design, flush with the surrounding body areas.
T-shaped DRL lights
Just like Volvo Concept Coupe, the face of the Volvo Concept XC Coupe is characterized by a new topography on the hood and the 'floating' grille, flanked by headlights featuring new T-shaped DRL light guides. The rear light signature is also a distinctive element in the new design direction of Volvo Cars.
"Both concept cars show how we can shape our cars from now on. We add emotional value to the Volvo brand with the calm, confident beauty that is the hallmark of Scandinavian design," says Ingenlath.
Building on a proud XC heritage
Volvo Cars paved the way for a completely new segment by introducing the V70 Cross Country in 1997. The range has been continuously developed and extended since then. Presently, it spans from the Volvo V40 Cross Country, via the XC60 and XC70, to the XC90.
"With the Volvo Concept XC Coupe, we take this unique blend of capable ruggedness and expressive elegance up to a new, sportier attitude," says Ingenlath.