March 04, 2003 – “Smarter Luxury”. That was the theme of Volvo’s surprising showing of the Versatility Concept Car today at the Geneva Salon. The concept was a joint effort between Volvo’s two European design studios - Barcelona in Spain and Göteborg in Sweden - and was introduced by PAG Design Chief Peter Horbury and José Diaz de la Vega, Creative Director Strategic Design at Volvo Cars.

Key themes of the design include a solid, long wheelbase stance with a strong horizontal emphasis to the design. The typical Volvo shoulder is more hard-edged than current models and has a distinctive turn-down at front and rear – a new device for Volvo. The outer vertical lamps front and rear and door handles echo the linear character of the design and are visually connected via the shoulder line. The front end appearance with three slim active lamp units represents an all-new and striking interpretation of the Volvo face, while the large grille with vertical bars revisits motifs from the 1968 Volvo 164 design. Finally, the nose of the car is interesting for having a very slight reverse angle, which gives added tension to the whole design.

The interior, accessed via double-hinge barn-type doors, has a superclean Scandinavian look, emphasised by use of high-contrast chocolate and ivory leathers. The IP is a single curved surface with no visible conventional air vents and interrupted only by a small, arched instrument binnacle. The theme of elegant simplicity is continued with the aluminium centre console, which floats gracefully through the car on top of the high tunnel. A two-centimetre gap divides the slim centre console from the dashboard, creating a feeling of lightness and space.

The tall, unpleated seat panels are reminiscent of those used in the 240-Series in the ‘70’s and are finished in saddle-quality Havana hide. Volvo design is keen to give their safety systems a stronger visual appeal and thus the VCC features an X-frame solar roof with ambient lighting and subtle, illuminated logos for the various WHIPS, SIPS and inflatable curtain systems used in the car.

Finally, the trunk features two underfloor lockers, one heated, one chilled, with the whole compartment hidden under an electrical tonneau cover.