A full two years before its expected debut, Volvo Cars has given the world a glimpse of its second-generation S60 when it debuted as a concept car early this year. Competing in the same class with the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Volvo understood that they had to come out with a car that’s stunning both in dynamics and looks.
The new S60 Concept debuts Volvo’s DNA design language. According to Volvo, DNA means a lot of things on different levels. At its most basic, it means “Do Not Abandon”. At the same time, it’s “Dramatic New Approach”. But whatever you think of the acronym, the S60 Concept looks modern and refined with just the right balance of visual excitement and restraint. In the concept version, the S60’s headlamps are particularly dramatic, creating a very expressive face when seen in conjunction with the air intake and structured vanes on the grille. Continuing on the subject of its headlamps, Volvo says that the structure of the lamps themselves reflect the traditional Viking longboats. If seen closely, each of the headlamps form a sculpture of two miniature Viking longboats sailing side-by-side. When driving in the dark, the light reflected from the concealed LED bulbs seem to project the image of sails.
The coupe-like shape of the first-generation S60 has been continued and improved on the second-generation model. This time, Volvo has incorporated a new rear parallelogram door design. It definitely offers a spectacular show, opening and closing at the press of a button. The door moves in the traditional way at the beginning, but then the forward section swings out away from the body and the door glides parallel with the side of the body until it reaches its end position by the rear wheels. All this at the touch of a button. This remains an object of concept fantasy, but there’s still hoping that at least the unique door openings would make it to the production version.
No news regarding engines or transmission options were made as of yet, but Volvo is set to introduce a new safety system in the new S60. This ground-breaking safety feature allows the car to detect a pedestrian who suddenly steps out into the path of the car. The car will then apply full braking power if the driver fails to respond to the danger.
The first-generation S60 was first launched way back in 2000 as a coupe with four doors. Since then, it has become one of the most recognizable and most successful Volvo automobile. This second-generation model, which comes a full decade after its predecessor continues that tradition: offering a sleek and restrained look with cutting-edge safety features and compelling driving dynamics.
By Ulysses Ang
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