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The big difference with the new V70 is that it now takes its platform from the S80 rather than the S60 as on the older model, so the car is a whole size larger. In fact, the doors, screen and basic interior architecture, including the IP are all carried over from the new flagship sedan. The exterior is a little softer than the outgoing V70 model: there's a narrower shoulder section and the characteristic concave surfacing has been abolished in favour of a more orthodox treatment, as on the S80. Note the different grille designs too: the basic V70 sticks with the older style, while the XC70 4x4 version gets the latest grille, as previewed on the XC60 concept last month. "We wanted to introduce the new grille on the XC70 to add more differentiation at this stage" says Volvo's design director Steve Mattin. In fact, the XC70 is definitely the better-looking of the two versions now. As before, there are lots of black plastic areas but they are enlivened this time by bolder graphics both front and rear. At the front there is a silver chin spoiler and frames to the side grilles, while the rear gets silver treatment to the reflector lamp frames and lower bumper guard.
The rear is the most controversial area of the design. While the idea for taking the tailgate shutline outboard of the vertical lamps is understandable (it allows a wider opening), the resolution of the surfaces and lines seems odd, because few of the elements directly index with each other. Compared to Volvo's previous approach of very rational design, the result seems fussy. The load bay follows other upmarket wagons such as the BMW 5 Series or Audi A6 Avant with a slide-out floor option and aluminium runners and dividers to offer more versatility.
Nissan X-Trail
According to Nissan, the original X-Trail has been something of a surprise hit. When it was launched six years ago, the company expected sales across Europe to average 23,000 units a year. In fact, its average annual sales were 54,000 and it has sold over 615,000 worldwide over that same period so it's unsurprising that the design team have taken an evolutionary approach to its successor. This second generation X-Trail shares its underpinnings with the new Qashqai but sees a slight shift in concept from being a soft SUV alternative for Primera owners to a more hardcore 4x4 vehicle that's closer in feeling to Nissan's Patrol or Pathfinder models. In part, this is a reaction to the new Qashqai, which now offers a more car-like alternative for SUV-wannabees. The new X-Trail is an upright design, with a very 2-box profile and squared-off corners with little plan shape. Previous design cues such as the solid shoulder line, deep glasshouse and horizontal beltline are retained but there's a heavy look to the rear end, due to the thick C-pillar and longer rear overhang. Details include a ribbed theme running around the exterior with the taillamps, lower rear bumper and the deep roofrail all featuring these shapes, while the wheelarches now have grey lips similar to the treatment on the Honda CRV and BMW X3.
The interior shows some quality upgrades in terms of plastics but it is a bit 'old school SUV' feeling, with generally flat surfaces and boxy shapes. There's lots of storage however, with a huge dashboard top box and bottle holders at each end of the IP above the vents. By repositioning the rear muffler box, Nissan designers were also able to incorporate a clever double deck layout for the trunk, with a slide-out drawer under the floor for valuables. Overall, it's difficult to imagine the key rivals to the X-Trail now - it certainly isn't the trio of Honda CRV, Toyota RAV-4 and Land-Rover LR2 (Freelander) that it used to be.
Swiss tuner Frank M. Rinderknecht has been displaying cars at Geneva Show for nearly thirty years and this is his third concept in collaboration with Bayer MaterialScience AG, one of the largest plastics producers in the world. The completely transparent body is made from Bayer Makrolon polycarbonate, tinted an acid yellow color and serves more as a test bed for advanced technical ideas than an exercise in pure styling. Conceptually, it is close to an Ariel Atom, with its 2-seater cigar-shaped body, visible aluminium chassis and exposed wheels, although the over-large chassis tubes make the Atom look positively delicate by comparison. The two occupants sit in tandem in special seats designed by Recaro. Each seat consists of twelve transparent Makrolon ribs - the same number of ribs as a human being - while the head restraint and armrests are made of transparent Technogel. The overall car has something of a pre-war Auto-Union look about it, although the excessive width (1960mm) detracts from its lightweight feeling.
Up close, one notices the application of aluminized glass fiber material with a diamond-shape design on the wheel rims, trim, wishbones, fuel tank and headlamps - a fascinating texture that deserves a wider application. The driver sits with his feet inserted through the milled bulkhead with his/her feet ahead of the front axle and one wonders what the sensory perception will be to feel so exposed at speed. The controls are both minimal and advanced: two touch-sensitive panels appear to hover on both sides of the driver's vision and control various functions, including the access security of the car when parked.
Rinspeed have shown some of the most innovative concepts here in recent years - most recently the Splash, Senso, Chopster and zaZen. Whilst in the past they lacked a certain aesthetic merit, they increasingly offer the kind of conceptual thinking that's too often overlooked by mainstream manufacturers.
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