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Volvo will be unveiling a concept version that will form the basis for its next generation Volvo S60 next year at the Detroit International Motor Show, but it wants to teaser us first with this shot of the interior. That glassy material that the center dash stack is made of is actually crystal, crafted by 110-year old company Orrefors.
Interestingly, the crystal stack extends all the way to the rear passenger bench, effectively turning the car into a 4-seater. Its not known whether the S60 will end up being one of those 4-seater coupe-sedans or not, but probably not as Volvo has indicated in the past that the new S60 will be a proper premium C-segment contender to face the 3-Series, A4 and the C-Class. And that brings us to the S40… what is it exactly? It seems the current 2nd gen facelifted S40 will continue positioned lower in the market.
One interesting bit you can see in the concept interior is the gear lever, which seems to be L-shaped like a fighter jet’s throttle. This is the automatic mode where you shift it into P-R-N-D, etc. You can actually flip the gear lever up so it stands up vertically instead of being a horizontal L-shape. In this mode, you can use the lever to manually shift the car.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
very futuristic, but it seems to be prone to finger prints magnet..
Paul, the S40 is in the same class as BMW 1-Series (sedan). So it make sense now, S60 with 3-series/C-Class/A4; S80 with 5-series/E-Class/A6.
Their estates are harder to be categorised. The S40-based V50, though small, somehow creeps into 3-series Estate/A4 Avant class. Unlike the previous S60-based V70 that was in same category 3-series Estate/A4 Avant, the new one now competes with 5-series Estate, A6 Avant.
wow, i really love the gear shift lever. nice! hmmmm crystal – finger print magnet?
Will it be too shiny? I guess the driver gotta wear a sunglass when driving this car. Reflection may cause a pain during drive.
Volvo has come up with some nice combination of car designs lately…
I suppose the engineers would have thought of the fingerprint problem and used some coating to ease the trouble
Crystal wont be a glass magnet. Quite the opposite actually. Any fingerprint, dirt, stains can be cleaned just by wiping. Just like your glass wares in the kitchens. Plus, its is scratch resistant too. The properties wont be much different from your car windshield (except windshield is made of tempered glass – not crystal).
One drawback is – it’s breakable!
centre console also floating now.Hard for me during vocuming procress.
Oppss sorry – not “glass magnet” – dirt magnet.
Another drawback – it may feel cold / or hot (especially after the car is left baking in our tropical climate)
alihms – yeah that’s true but that means incessant wiping for those who can’t stand the sight of prints. but it’s a nice attempt by volvo nevertheless. shows their creativity is still up there.
quite a dramatic improvement from volvo…. Volvo For Life !!!!!
Volvo still the best as Merc ANd BMW as well as audi or whatever !!!!!
I always like their center consoles.
Simple yet uncluttered.
looks futuristic.wonder if it will be practical.I thought they were going to phase out the S60?The new Volvo’s have always been hard to categorise.The present S60 is closer to 5 series exterior dimensions but 3 series interior dimensions becos the doors are much thicker( and safer?)
wah, like that 4 seater only, cannot seat anyone in the middle. should make it foldable or something.
finally a replacement for the horribly outdated s60
this is a challange,
its a compromise between aesthetic, (material) and safety in consideration.
both are important,
interesting