Volvo Concept Estate – full details and pics released

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Before we’re done drooling over leaked pics of the Volvo Concept Estate, the Swedish carmaker has released full details of the stunner it’s bringing to next month’s Geneva show.

If Frankfurt 2013‘s Concept Coupe was a P1800 reborn, this is an 1800 ES reborn – the evocative three-door shooting-brake shape jazzes itself up with T-shaped DRLs, d- (or b-) shaped tail lamps and a grille that looks like the night sky.

Equally ogle-worthy are the long and low bonnet, angular rear haunches and tailpipes, glass roof and striking 21-inch five-spoke alloys. Don’t you think it’s amusing how the estate, being utilitarian in origin, can become one of the most dynamic-looking bodystyles in the world of cars?

What’s even more amusing is the fact that, despite the Concept Estate’s outside gorgeousness, Volvo has more to say of its interior. The sea of buttons you used to drown in in Volvos of old is nowhere to be found.

Instead there’s a portrait-oriented touch-tablet on the centre stack that allows you to control pretty much everything except volume, play/pause, hazard lights and window heaters – these presumably call for a more tactile method of operation.

Very proudly Swedish – all four occupants get orange-coloured seat belts and under their feet are woven wool carpets from Swedish designer Kasthall. The crystal gear lever with its orange glow comes from Orrefors/Kosta Boda and the tanned saddle leather covering the instrument panel from Tärnsjö.

Also giving “the feel of a Scandinavian living room” are chequered wool on the ceiling and front seat backs, inlays made of waxed, naturally-aged wood and machined copper details. Nothing from Ikea, it seems.

Interestingly, there’s even a game of Swedish kubb under the load floor in the boot – you know, in case you forget which country the car came from. Time for a Proton or Perodua concept with congkak in the boot.

The Volvo Concept Estate is the last of the three concepts penned by new design boss Thomas Ingenlath – all of which are SPA– and VEA (Drive-E)-based. All of them preview future Volvo models – particularly the next-gen XC90, which is due to launch later this year.

Now drool away.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Simple, straight-forward and clean lines as well as being rather boxy makes this unmistakably a Volvo. And what aa looker it is. Can’t waait to see cues of this wither down to a production scandinavian beauty.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 1
    • tokmoh on Feb 27, 2014 at 8:30 pm

      What’s even better is it’s in Volvo’s most loved shape: a wagon :D

      They sure know how to please their fans. For life!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
    • Maseratti on Feb 27, 2014 at 9:49 pm

      This car got no RV, my boss Sam Loo ill not accept the trade in of this car. Learn from my boss Sam, he only trade Kimchi to make so much of his money. He is successful and driving camry today

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 25
      • Vader on Feb 28, 2014 at 7:48 am

        Oh gosh.. I thought you had recover.. seem even worst. Using different name so can play as different role and live in your own world?
        Btw, your game character had upgraded from Hilux to Camry ya… lol

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
        • Maserrati on Feb 28, 2014 at 8:36 pm

          I don’t think you can even afford a vios ok. work hard ok, come to my boss junk yard if you need job.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 7
          • Vader on Feb 28, 2014 at 10:48 pm

            Haha.. I will not be that childish to judge someone afford a car or not. Beside, shame loo is a joker in this blog, if u r the same person then pity you. If u really work for shame loo, then u r pityx2..

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • Joe Radzif on Feb 28, 2014 at 8:28 am

        I wish word ‘sam loo’ will be automatic filtered…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
      • Maseratti on Mar 02, 2014 at 9:54 am

        typical kimchi driver who just came out from junk yard

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • I do like the ass

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Mr240GL on Feb 27, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Concept car always super cool,
    Production always tone down a bit compared to concept car.
    Volvo line up in Malaysia always less spec and it is not cool at all!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
    • you need to understand that the current lineup is from a volvo with no clear future and ownership. I think this time around they are serious about the concept, of course it’ll be toned down, but i don’t think it’ll lose much of it’s sexiness

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • albag on Feb 27, 2014 at 7:51 pm

    nice hearse… now even dead people can ride with greater style

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 9
    • 4G63T DSM on Feb 28, 2014 at 10:11 am

      you and your irk are the reason why we never get the most interesting, practical and dynamic vehicles available to every developed car buying nation.

      Seriously so what if its used as a hearse. That’s not a bad final ride. I sure wont mind it.

      There have always been good looking estates. The 156 Sportwagon, The SAAB 93 SportWagon, the ubiquitous 850 no less. Even the new (Euro) Civic Estate is quite the looker.

      Empty nesters or those with grown children are moving back to wagons from their Family MPV, still needing the space but at least with a bit more style and driving dynamics.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
      • albag on Feb 28, 2014 at 11:37 pm

        dude, why you act so childishly offensive? i didnt say the car is ugly.. all im saying is that its a nice car… even a hearse, so that dead people can have the final ride in style… i didnt even complain about the looks… read clearly

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
        • tokmoh on Mar 01, 2014 at 2:39 am

          If you’re gonna say something nice about wagons, it should be something more respectable than just a hearse.

          Your misconception is what prevents wagons being acceptable choice here

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
          • albag on Mar 01, 2014 at 1:30 pm

            so you’re saying hearse is not something to be proud of? meaning that u do not respect dead people? from your statement, i can see that you have a negative view towards hearse and dead people… sooner or later, people around you and you yourself will be dead anyway.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
          • tokmoh on Mar 03, 2014 at 2:02 am

            Firstly, here I notice most hearse are not even wagon, it’s vans or MPVs. Probably E-class wagon the only wagon used as a hearse, not a Volvo.

            Now, getting back to your statement:

            “nice hearse… now even dead people can ride with greater style”

            I view this as rude misconception to degrade the Volvo brand and wagon form. In the UK, Volvo is seen as good carmaker, especially their wagons very popular. Spacious, practical, reliable, good value alternative to Germans, and of course,
            safe. Some say they have good resale value too. The perception is that professionals who want a dependable, safe car drive them.

            Wagons are not cars for undertaker to perform their duty, most hearse are not even normal wagon, they’re specially made to have longer and taller rear cabin. Not one hearse I’ve seen in the movies/tv show them taking the same wagon for the market to become a hearse.

            Go to mosques, it’s all vans that are kereta jenazah, not 245, 745, 940, 850 T5, V70, XC70, V50 nor V60. Go to churches, temples. INGEN.

            That said, I think you’re the one being disrespectful to undertakers to think they’d use a typical everyday practical wagon as their vehicle to do their job.

            I’ve seen Estima, Alphard as hearse. By your logic, I should praise the next gen for those models “nice hearse… now even dead people can have better resale value”.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • zamer on Feb 27, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    its a cool car..
    i had a nightmare last month where i was doing 200kmh and a new v40 at the back, once i moved to left..it passed me like i’m doing 100..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
  • donuts on Feb 27, 2014 at 10:15 pm

    NICE CAR!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Keris Jawa on Feb 27, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    The Swedish flag in the cabin is to remind the rider, Volvo does NOT belong to the Chinese ;-)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
  • Cool. That’s how a driver car should look like. Fabulous

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • neutral on Feb 28, 2014 at 12:20 am

    sexy as hell…i do hope volvo will consider making a shooting brake…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • amigos on Feb 28, 2014 at 12:32 am

    The touch control panel same like Tesla model S

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • droll on Feb 28, 2014 at 6:29 am

    isn’t the font on the user interface too small? also, isn’t there too much information on the user interface?

    most cars i’ve seen with design elements for UI on interior head units usually keep it simple and use big fonts – for obvious reasons – safety. the bigger the fonts, the less cluttered it is, the quicker the driver can take his / her eyes off the interface after getting the task done.

    however, i really dig the overall shape of this wagon. volvo is really transforming it self for the future!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • The best part: Proton and Perodua’s should have a congkak in the trunk.

    Anyway, Volvo is looking seriously sexy with their new design language. Thumbs up!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Joe Radzif on Feb 28, 2014 at 8:30 am

    This one is super-cool…
    wishlisted!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • harris murad on Feb 28, 2014 at 9:11 am

    simply gorgeous.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Volvo manage to retain its design languange over the years. Altough they softened the “boxy” shape but it is still undeniably volvo which to me is a remarkable achievement for a car manufacturer to stay true to thier original design language rather than coming up with new radical design every time. You can take off the badge and people still manage to identify it as a volvo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • 4G63T DSM on Feb 28, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Wish Volvo a good run with this new concept. The previous 2 (480 and C30) never came close in eliciting the emotion of the 1800ES. Third time lucky.

    Now all Volvo needs is coupe version and new “Saint” to drive it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • paucharsiew on Feb 28, 2014 at 10:43 am

    wooden floors =D

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • skatax on Feb 28, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    Dear Volvo top management (in Sweden or err… China), please work out your brand identity crisis first. It has been ages. Yours truly.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • BLT CLUB on Feb 28, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Now that’s one good looking estate. Kudos Volvo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • razibar on Mar 01, 2014 at 7:45 am

    nice car but not practical on malaysian roads. you will have nightmare finding a parking spot with this. to volvo, go sell somewhere else

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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