Frankfurt, 2011: Volvo Car Corporation has taken a bold step in
the evolution of the company's upcoming large luxury sedan.
The Concept You, revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show,
combines a sleek coupe-like exterior with a luxurious high-tech
interior that keeps the driver in command via intuitive smart pad
technology.
Concept You picks up where the Concept Universe, revealed at
Auto Shanghai earlier this year, left off. It gives the global car
buying public another exciting glimpse of the Volvo Car
Corporation's future.
With a full interior, Concept You allows luxury sedan customers
to fully experience the craftsmanship and intuitive technology that
will be the hallmark of future Volvos.
"The new Concept You roofline stretches all the way back to the
tail lamps - creating that dynamic fastback look that is very much
in vogue among European car buyers at the moment," says Peter
Horbury, Vice President Design at the Volvo Car Corporation.
Touch-control cockpit and pure
craftsmanship
The luxurious interior of the Concept You features a blend of
intuitive smart pad technology and first-class craftsmanship.
"The Concept You explores new territories in our search for the
ultimate intuitive car that makes the owners manual a thing of the
past. Smart phones and smart pads have brought mobile infotainment
into a new era. Here, we use a number of touch-screens to replace
buttons and controls in order to make the driver totally connected,
totally in control. The technology also helps us to create a
refreshingly uncluttered interior," explains Peter Horbury.
The Concept You control centre consists of four main areas; a
digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM), a head-up display on the
windscreen, a touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console
and a touch-screen between the two individual rear seats. The
wood/leather steering wheel has aluminium and glass paddles with
integrated touch-screens.
The touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console remains
in sleeping mode until the driver looks at it. A hidden infrared
camera registers the eye movements and information is displayed on
the screen.
Another sensor registers hand movements and triggers the
Infotainment system's control mode. The possibilities vary
depending on whether the screen is approached by the driver or by
the front passenger.
"Certain functions, such as surfing the Web, are only accessible
from the passenger side while the car is rolling. The technology
knows who is the present operator and adapts itself automatically,"
says Peter Horbury.
The driver can "flip" data from the central touch-screen to the
head-up display - and can exchange data with the rear passengers. A
light guide in the free-floating centre console indicates file
transfer.
Unique air-powered sound system
The Infotainment system also integrates a high-end sound system
from Alpine. It features the unique "FreshAir" subwoofer - a not
yet released technology that uses the air outside the car to create
the ultimate listening experience.
The sound system consists of small, optimised units that
considerably cut weight - while still producing a better sound than
today's systems.
Comfortable and cultivated
The interior is dedicated to offer design-driven customers a
comfortable, cultivated, Scandinavian inspired environment that is
also user-focused and refreshingly uncomplicated. Every detail has
been chosen with the customer experience in focus.
The interior is driver-orientated at the front and comfortably
relaxed in the rear. The dynamic feel and dark colour scheme in the
front seats fades seamlessly towards the rear until it fully
transforms into a light rear seat haven of calmness.
The rear seat passengers are embraced by pure comfort, as if
their favourite lounge were magically integrated into the car. The
interior moulds into the rear seat and becomes part of the seating
environment.
The Volvo Car Corporation has partnered with several other
famous brands in order to create a genuine feeling of luxury with
the right Scandinavian touch.
Leather, suede and suit fabric
The four individual seats, inspired by ultra-comfortable chairs,
blend chrome-free leather from Bridge of Wear with Dinamica
ecological suede. The off-black front seats have suede in the
centre to create optimal grip. The soft beige rear seats are
designed for pure comfort with leather in the centre and suede on
the sides.
The Concept You design also integrates the luxury qualities of a
tailor made suit into the car.
The back of the front seats and the door panels feature
exclusive Italian fabric and designs from Swedish fashion house
Oscar Jacobson.
The designers have also been generous with large, handcrafted
pieces of walnut - accompanied by leather panels, Dinamica suede
roof lining and carefully chosen aluminium details.
Hand-tufted wool carpets
The wooden floor, which echoes Scandinavian homes, is covered
with a specially designed hand-tufted carpet from world-famous
Swedish brand Kasthall. Just like the rest of the interior it fades
from dark in the front to light in the rear. The front texture has
a sporty firmness, while the rear part of the carpet is luxuriously
soft.
"The interior is full of classic forms, materials and textures,
used with a twist to create a special contemporary luxury
experience. It is exceptionally refined, yet with all the
simplistic assets that make Volvo champions of the uncomplicated,"
explains Peter Horbury.
"We are carving out a unique position among the luxury car
makers with our special kind of Scandinavian Design. It will be
unmatched in performance, technology and craftsmanship, but without
superficiality or complication."
Inspiration from Georg Jensen
The Concept You is finished in a light blue, liquid metal paint
from DuPont. The ventilated disc brakes are developed by Volvo's
racing specialists Polestar.
The car's fast silhouette is emphasised by the 21-inch polished
aluminium wheels with a twisted twin-spoke design and tyres from
Pirelli (275/30/21).
Up front, the Concept You grille - which has a more classic
appearance than the Concept Universe - features details with the
same beautifully polished craftsmanship.
"The design of the wheels, the grille and details in the
innovative headlamps have been inspired by the exquisite works of
world-famous Danish design house Georg Jensen. Their precious items
capture the essence of Scandinavian design. Uncluttered, organic
surfaces and superb craftsmanship that radiate timeless luxury,"
says Peter Horbury.
"This eternal beauty of Georg Jensen design is what we are
aiming for with the whole concept car. Just like the finest luxury
goods, this design should feel handcrafted and durable enough to
stand the test of time."
The dipped beam comes from LED lamps in four "ice blocks" on top
of the high beam lights.
The "ice blocks" are installed with the same technology that
jewellers use for mounting precious stones.
For further information please contact:
Jaedene Hudson
Public Relations Manager
Volvo Car Australia
T: 02 9020 1613
M: 0412 259 635
E: jhudso60@volvocars.com