Volvo
Concept Universe
The
Volvo Concept Universe is an imposing an sleek looking luxury car concept which
provides a sneak preview of what future top-of-the range Volvos will look like.
The
Volvo Concept Universe's styling is defined by the clean uncluttered surfaces.
It almost verges on the boring, but the long, low proportions and gently
sloping roofline give it a sense of discreet class which should appeal to Volvo
buyers.
The
grille and headlights are about the only aspect of the design which could
really do with a bit of tweaking. The fussiness of the details don't quite work
with the rest of the styling, and the headlights are dwarfed by the size of the
car.
The
interior of the Volvo Concept Universe is a classy combination of textured dark
wood, satin metal highlights and neatly defined upholstery.
The
front and rear sections of the passenger compartment are clearly split into two
zones. The rear has a considerably more relaxed atmosphere, while the front is
slightly more business-like. In order to better define the two sections, the
rear features lighter tones than the front.
A
multifunction touch-screen panel in the dashboard is cleverly designed to move
towards the driver's hand when they reach for it.
Peter
Horbury, Vice President of Design at Volvo said of the car: "The Concept
Universe is exceptionally refined, yet with all the simplistic assets that make
Volvo champions of the uncomplicated. There is a growing appreciation for this
ingenious blend of design and technology among modern luxury car buyers. This
trend paves the way for our success. We are convinced that our special brand of
luxury has a great future."
While
the Volvo Concept Universe was debuted in China at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show,
Volvo intend to take the concept to international motor shows around the world
to gather opinion on the design as part of their efforts to produce cars
suitable for the global market.
