| Motoring:Volvo seeks the auto crown with new luxury car model | Send to a friend |
| Sunday, 29 January 2012 08:18 |
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By Daniel Muhau Things are certainly changing fast in the auto industry, and it seems the Swedes are raring to make it to the finals of the beauty pageant. Once known for making boring cars, Sweden car manufacturers, who have for a long time been playing second fiddle to Germans and French, are eyeing the crown – and this time with a major Volvo innovation programme. When it comes to the design and architecture of vehicles, many would agree that the Swedes have been nothing but boring. But not anymore. Volvo has stepped up its game in the global luxury car niche with new models. And this has been done with two in-house strategies: First, a scalable vehicle architecture, which allows most Volvo models to be built on the same production line irrespective of vehicle size and complexity. Second, is a new engine range consisting solely of downsized, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The new innovative programme also includes a new 8-speed automatic transmission — and a new Flywheel Kinetic Energy Recovery System. As Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation, put it at a recent motor show: “Concept You gives a good indication of what you can expect from our next large saloon. The blend of contemporary Scandinavian design, exquisite craftsmanship and intuitive technology will appeal to luxury car buyers all over the world.” Interestingly, what will stop any auto fan is his or her tracks is not the techno-talk but the design bravery exhibited in the new Concept You — a luxury saloon concept designed around modern people. Concept You is the successor to the Concept Universe. Both are being used to obtain input from global car buyers in order to find the ultimate design of the next large saloon from Volvo. The firm has also collected feedback on Concept Universe, through surveys and monitoring social media. This car features a more daring, coupe-like profile than the Concept Universe, while the front moves towards a more classic Volvo look. Its rear, however, has hints of the Jaguar XJ and Audi A7 Sportsback. According to the Volvo chief, the fastback profile mirrors a strong trend among European buyers. With growing signs that Chinese “taste buds” are moving rapidly in the same direction, their main aim is to explore how daring the next large saloon should be in order to be a global success. They are very eager to hear what people think about the Concept You. ENDS Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
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