Concept: Volvo Universe Concept

[Pedrocas]

Volvo Universe shows Chinese look

This is Volvo?s Concept Universe, the first indication of the company?s future direction under Chinese ownership.
Unveiled at the Shanghai motor show, the Universe is described by Volvo as a ?large, luxurious sedan with a new human-centric design language that honours the beautiful lines of classic Volvo models?.
Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo, said the Concept Universe offers ?a sneak preview of what people can expect from our next top-of-the-line sedan?.

Peter Horbury, vice-president of design and in his second spell as Volvo?s creative director, said, ?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. We are convinced that our special brand of [human-centric] luxury has a great future.?
According to sources at Volvo, the Universe is not based on a specific platform because the company?s future platform and engine strategy is still being finalised. However, although the concept does not quite breach five metres in length, Volvo sources suggest that it would not need to be lengthened for the Chinese market because of ?best-in-class interior space?.

Volvo exterior designer Jonathon Disley said the Universe project began 12 months ago, when the company?s designers were asked to consider a new form language for Volvo. They spent two days in the Volvo museum ?looking at classic models from a different viewpoint?.
Disley said, ?We felt that the most classic models were soft and voluptuous but also offered a sense of protection. We had a request from chairman Lee [boss of Geely, Volvo?s owners] to reflect the serenity in light when the sun is rising or setting and to create something intriguing in the nose.?
Work on this model took just 17 weeks from the final sketches to the clay model, which was milled directly from computer drawings.

The Universe?s bonnet sculpting is drawn from the Volvo PV544, as is the grille shape and low-set headlights.
However, the unusual nose design is in stark contrast to the rest of the car, which has a contemporary ?four-door coup? stance and modern rear light cluster detailing.
The sides of the Universe are also heavily sculpted, a clear link with previous Horbury-era Volvos, including the S60.
Inside, the concept has a clean and modern four-seat layout, dominated by a raised centre console running through the cabin, which has been stripped of nearly all conventional switchgear. Instead, it features large touchscreens, retaining just a conventional speedo.
Described by interior designer Conny Bengtsson as ?tranquil and lounge-like, embracing the passengers?, the interior detail includes business suit fabric on the doors. The only obvious nods to Chinese design are in the blue and white porcelain detail fitted to the steering wheel and shift lever.
Hilton Holloway

 

[FruityLexia]

So, it's a Jag XF crossed with a Ford Five Hundred.

Meh.

 

[Spectre]

Kind of like the back... pitch the rest back in the nearest black hole, please.

 

[MWF]

I think it's bold. Lose the "time tunnel" lights and grill, the Ming vase interior detail and change the wheels for something a little more understated and it has the potential to be quite a good looking car.

 

[AiR]

The front is, euhm, interesting. The back and profile is really nice. The interior is concept, so absolutely nothing will make it to production, which is all well (I'd like pedals in a production car) and it's looooooooong so the chinese should like it.

 

[Hotpants]

The grill is to busy for my taste, else it's quite elegant.

 

[Aston Martin]

The stupidest name of any product, ever.

 

[MWF]

Interesting article in the Telegraph about the Chinese market from Volvo's perspective here.

 

[Timbits93]

The front gives me a headache just looking at it.

However the rest of this looks quite good.

 

[Lupin_IV]

Am I the only one seeing the Cadillac Sixteen with an uglier face in the first image?

 

[Eye-Q]

The front has been borrowed from the PV544 (I don't like the "time tunnel"-grille, either), the back is Jaguar XF-ish - well, doesn't look as bad as a Mansory tuned car, but not as good as almost all other cars...

 

[laxmax613]

I think it's cool if not really square enough to be a volvo.

 

[smib]

It looks good, but too much like everything it'll compete against.

 

[katwalk]

The stupidest name of any product, ever.

I assume that they named it that because they were trying to make it look like a spaceship.

 

[laxmax613]

one really good thing about this: it looks like RWD Volvos are back in a big way.

 

[narf]

Who at Volvo divided by zero?

 

[Blind_Io]

https://pic.armedcats.net/b/bl/blind_io/2011/04/20/kill-it-with-fire.jpg

It looks like they were trying to go back to the Amazon, but it failed horribly. Put the designer in the trunk, set it on fire, pee on it, bury it face-down in the desert and pour a slab over it and never speak of it again. Ever.

There is nothing about this that says "Volvo" to me. Modern Volvo has a distinct design language that has worked well for over a decade. The back of this looks generic with far too much English influence. The front is an ungodly mess and looks like the grill and headlights were slapped on at the last minute. The hood line doesn't fit and the high shoulder line and boot will destroy one of the best things about a modern Volvo: the visibility. Volvo has managed to make safe cars without creating a bunker-like view from the cockpit, the visibility out of this beast is going to be as bad as a Camaro.

 

[ninjacoco]

What Blind_Io said. Nothing about this screams "Volvo." Not the tacky blue vase detail that doesn't work in a car. Not the front that's been whupped with the ugly stick. Not the bizarre shape or the stupidly high door line. And definitely not that hideously uncomfortable looking interior. Most lolvos at least get "comfy" down right. That interior just looks painful, and touchscreens? Eew. Just eew.

 

[Blind_Io]

They must have carved this one in clay and left the drapes open, that is the only thing I can think of to explain why the back melted.

 

[Interrobang]

:lol: they have got to be kidding ... this has to be a Joke.