What’s it take to get 1, 2 or even 3 million miles on your car?
I’ve seen lots of pieces written about our Irv Gordon and his almost 3 million mile Volvo but this one has some really good tips about how to get to 3 million. As a side note about how not to get there, a good friend’s father died this summer. Tom took his dad’s Jeep wagon and started using it as their daily driver. Tom is not a car guy, far from it. He’s more like my father who believed that cars need working on only when they break and not much in between. So Tom called me and asked, “What’s makes a ticking noise in the engine?” I went over and listened – it was a connecting rod. “Not good Tom.” He said the service light has been on for a long time and when we checked the oil, there was none. It’s up on Craig’s List right now.
So if nothing else, oil changes are a must. Heck, just checking for oil is a must.
Take care,
dan
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http://www.valpolife.com/index.php/business/autos/15154-can-a-car-really-last-a-million-miles
Can a Car Really Last a Million Miles? |
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| Written by Heinold and Feller |
 From the November 2011 VehicleMD publication
One million miles. It’s like driving 10,000 miles a year…for a century. It’s like driving around the earth’s equator…40 times. It’s like taking a round trip to the moon…twice. (Before the astronomers write in, we know it’s technically only 955,428 miles in two round trips to the moon, but we rounded!) It’s so far, in fact, that it takes light a little more than 5.3 seconds to cross one million miles. In other words, one million miles is, in the human scale of things, a loooooong way. Yet more and more vehicles these days are turning up with that magic number on their odometers. And I’m not talking about over-the-road trucks, either, since those big-rigs are built to endure such long distances. I’m talking about the very same passenger vehicles most of us drive every single day. For instance, you might have read about Joe LoCicero, the insurance adjuster from Maine who just hit the million-mile mark in his 1990 Honda Accord. Bought the car used in 1996 when it had 74,000 miles on it and averages about 4,700 miles per month. Or how about Wisconsin travelling salesman Peter Gilbert, who retired his 1989 Saab 900 to a museum in 2006 after wracking up 1,001,285 miles. Finally, there’s New York’s Irv Gordon, a retired schoolteacher who purchased his 1966 Volvo P1800S brand new and is preparing to hit the three million-mile (!) mark early next year. Gordon- who put 1,500 miles on the car the first two days he had it- has driven the car an average of 65,000 miles per year, even shipping the car across the Atlantic to tour Europe on occasion. So how have these drivers achieved such extreme lifespans with their cars, especially when a typical vehicle’s lifespan is around 145,000 miles? By following these seven strategies.
1. Drive. A lot. As these drivers could attest, though highway miles are amassed faster, they are typically easier on your car than miles driven in city traffic. Constantly starting, stopping, accelerating, idling, cranking, etc. puts a lot of stress on your car. In contrast, a vehicle, like any machine, operates at peak efficiency when it is in a steady-state rhythm like that experienced while driving at a steady speed on the highway. But don’t worry. Even if you commute (like Gordon did for decades in his Volvo before retiring), there are some other strategies you can use to maximize your vehicle’s lifespan. 2. Change is good. Think about it. Your car’s engine is like any other industrial machine. It works hard with metal parts sliding back and forth against each other hundreds of times each minute. For vehicles that accumulate the miles, that means the engine is experiencing millions, even billions, of revolutions. That kind of mechanical pressure takes its toll on the motor oil that lubricates engine parts, making periodic oil changes a safe bet if you want to keep your car running. Gordon, for instance, changes his oil every few thousand miles, and didn’t have to have the Volvo’s engine overhauled for the first time until nearly 675,000 miles showed on the odometer. Plus, as motor oil quality has improved in recent decades, those overhauls have gotten further and further apart! 3. Follow the schedule.
4. Try the synthetic route. 5. Invest in repairs. During his frequent travels, Gilbert encountered several wayward deer and had to pay for collision repairs on several different occasions. And while it can seem like a waste to spend money repairing an older vehicle, if you do the math you’ll find that even a major repair job (spread out over time) is less expensive than replacing your current vehicle. Like the wise man once said, the cheapest car you’ll ever own is the one you’re driving now! 6. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Gordon notes that he spends as much or more time cleaning his car on the outside than he does maintaining it on the inside. Not only does running your car through the carwash keep it clean and sparkly, it also removes the dirt/grime/salt that can over time contribute to wear and damage. Not to mention the fact that you’re almost certain to take more pride in a car that you spend time and money keeping in good shape. After all, none of the cars we’ve run across that hit the magical million-mile mark were beaters! 7. Take care. Well, that involves visiting your neighborhood auto service center. You see, the technicians that service your vehicle aren’t just changing the motor oil and filter. They’re also giving your car a thorough once over, looking for little problems that you can fix before they become big-and expensive- ones. Thus our final piece of advice is to partner with a trusted technician or mechanic and listen to his (or her) advice when it comes to needed maintenance and repairs. Because if you really want to drive a million miles, chances are you’ll need some help. |
Live from Detroit International Auto Show
dan
Posted in General | Comments Off
Bursting at the seams waiting to share this with you
Today we released the information below, prior to our press conference next week at this year’s Detroit International Auto Show. We’ve been holding on to this for some time and now we’re ready to tell everyone. I think the best part about this new technology is that Volvo is the only one to have this kind of concept. It combines three kinds of driving modes, showcases our decision to go with four-cylinder engine family, demonstrates an ability to dramatically reduce carbon output, reduce our dependence on natural resources (by making smaller engines we use less materials while still having excellent horse power and torque), and making something people can use as a daily driver.
So first off, let’s get this out of the way:
- No, we have not decided on what vehicle this technology will be used on.
- We are not announcing a date for introduction – that will be decided later this year.
- No pricing at this time.
- Yes, it is being developed for this market and for China.
- No diesel engine for the U.S.
- No on V60 diesel with this technology.
- I think that’s about it. If you have questions, please feel free to send them over. No problem.
After next week, we’ll have photos and more details about this technology. Also, this concept car is next being shown at the Washington, DC Auto Show in a few weeks, and then off to the Chicago Auto Show, so be sure to check it out if you can.
dan
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| Press Information
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| Date of issue | Jan 04, 2012 |
Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept – a unique blend of gasoline and electric power
At the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volvo Car Corporation will unveil an innovative gasoline plug-in hybrid.
The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is an electric car, a highly economical hybrid and a powerful high-performance car all rolled into one.
At the touch of a button, the driver decides how the available power from the combination of the high-performance gasoline engine and the electric motor is to be utilized.
“The technology in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is as ingenious as it is unique,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. “You can make really green progress on the road without compromising on any of the luxury car’s renowned properties. No other manufacturer has succeeded in delivering fuel economy and electrical range on this level in a capable, spacious performance car with 350 horsepower on tap.”
“This world-class gasoline plug-in hybrid technology, featuring a state-of-the-art four-cylinder engine from our upcoming Volvo Environmental Architecture engine family, will reach our American showrooms in a couple of years. However, it is too early to say which model will be the first to feature this solution,” Jacoby says.
Pure Hybrid Power – three cars in one
The driver chooses the driving mode via three buttons on the instrument panel. The buttons give the car three distinct temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.
- In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor as much as possible. The operational range is up to 35 miles (charge depleting range, U.S certification driving cycle) with zero tailpipe emissions in urban traffic. The range according to the European certification driving cycle NEDC is 45 km.
- Hybrid mode is the standard setting whenever the car is started. The gasoline engine and electric motor cooperate to provide maximum driving pleasure with minimum environmental impact. According to the European certification driving cycle NEDC, CO2 emissions are 53 g/km (2.3 l/100 km) – which translates into fuel economy of over 100 mpg. Using the U.S certification standards, which include emissions from the production of the electric energy, the combined fuel economy in continuous driving is 50 mpg. The car has a total operating range of up to 600 miles (960 km).
- In Power mode, the technology is optimized to create maximum possible power. The gasoline engine with 280 hp and 380 Nm (280 lb.-ft.) is combined with the electric motor with 70 hp and 200 Nm (148 lb.-ft.). The electric motor’s instant torque delivery contributes to the car’s acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds (0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds).
Four cylinders with the same power as a six-cylinder unit
The front wheels of the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept are powered by a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine from the forthcoming VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture) engine family. This engine produces 280 horsepower and maximum torque of 380 Nm (280 lb.-ft.). Power delivery to the wheels comes via a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission.
“In the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept we demonstrate that our forthcoming four-cylinder engines offer the same high performance as today’s sixes. At the same time, their fuel consumption will be lower than in current four-cylinder engines,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Car Corporation.
The concept car carries a “T8″ badge, which emphasizes the combined 350 horsepower of the high-performance four-cylinder engine and the electric motor. This moves the car into territory previously occupied solely by eight-cylinder engines.
“It’s time to stop counting cylinders,” Mertens says. “Four-cylinder engines are the most effective way to quickly reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption without compromising customer expectations when it comes to driving pleasure and performance.”
Reduction of parts, weight and fuel consumption
VEA is a modular range of diesel and gasoline engines. The gasoline versions come with direct injection, minimized internal losses and balance shafts for maximized comfort.
Several levels of turbocharging open up for flexibility that encompasses the whole range from high power and torque variants to extremely fuel-efficient derivatives. In order to cover all customer requirements, certain engines will gain added performance via hybrid drive or other spearhead technology.
The modular format is based on a standard of 500cc (30 cubic inches) per cylinder for optimum thermodynamics. It could also be used to develop three-cylinder engines. VEA offers several advantages
- The number of unique parts is reduced. This promotes manufacturing efficiency, quality assurance and efficiency of new development projects.
- The new powertrains are considerably lighter than present engines with similar performance.
- Fuel economy is improved by up to 35 percent compared to engines with similar performance.
- Modularity and compact transverse design are also ideal for future electrification developments.
Integrated Starter Generator
The engine in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept has no conventional starter motor or alternator. Instead, there is an Integrated Starter motor and Generator (ISG) connected to the crankshaft, which is located between the engine and the transmission. The ISG is capable of delivering an extra 34 kW (45 hp) during acceleration. It also charges the battery during braking.
Charge the battery at home
The rear axle of the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is driven by an electric motor producing 70 horsepower. It is supplied with power from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the load compartment.
The battery pack is recharged from a regular power outlet, at home or at a parking place. Recharging time varies with the current. If 220V is available a full charge with 12A takes just 3.5 hours. With 110V/12A a full charge takes 7.5 hours.
It is also possible while recharging the car to heat or cool the passenger compartment in order to make the start of the journey more comfortable. This also means that more battery power is available to propel the car.
Constantly online
The Volvo Sensus infotainment system in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept keeps the driver constantly updated on everything that makes the journey simpler, more efficient and more entertaining. A few examples of available information:
- Best route to the destination depending on whether the driver prioritizes low energy consumption, the fastest route or the shortest distance.
- Low Emission Zones where sufficient capacity is needed for running on pure electricity.
- Charging stations with access to renewable electricity.
- Locations along the route with access to quick-charging facilities.
Mobile application
The driver also can connect to the car via a mobile phone application. This offers convenient access to a wide range of data, such as the battery’s charge level, remaining range, and the location and capacity of the nearest recharging station. Via the app, it is possible to verify if the charger cable is hooked up and it is also possible to pre-program the car’s interior climate.
“Creating an intuitive driver’s environment that always gives you access to updated, useful information is an important part of our product development. This includes that you should be as updated when the car is parked as when you’re behind the wheel,” says Stefan Jacoby.
Muscular appearance
The Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is painted in a special white color and the 21-inch wheels enhance the muscular appearance. The interior features unique detailing and colors, such as sober dark-blue leather upholstery and inlays of blue-grey wood.
The instruments have been tailored to give the driver all the necessary information about petrol and electricity consumption, battery charge level, remaining range and so on.
Electric four-wheel drive
The electric four-wheel drive in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is activated by pressing the AWD (All Wheel Drive) button. Instead of the mechanical power transfer of conventional four-wheel drive, the central control unit distributes power between the gasoline-driven front wheels and the electrically driven rear axle.
The electric four-wheel drive system has been designed to provide better traction when starting and when driving on slippery roads, for instance in snow or mud.
Saves battery power for later
The driver can choose to save battery power for later in order to drive on pure electricity later in, for example, an urban green zone or in the heart of a city. When Save is activated, the generator charges and tops up the battery pack if necessary. The aim is to ensure sufficient battery power for about 12 miles (20 km) of driving on electricity.
| Volvo Cars of North America, LLC reserve the right to make changes at any time, without notice, to color, specifications, accessories, materials and models. | |
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Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept – superior to all existing hybrids
Volvo Car Corporation’s technology in the advanced Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept gives the car owner possibilities that no other existing hybrid car can offer.
“The gasoline plug-in hybrid is ideal for the American motorist who wants an electric car while at the same time retaining all the power and capacity that comes in his or her present vehicle,” says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO at Volvo Car Corporation.
A diesel-electric V60 Plug-in Hybrid is Volvo Car Corporation’s first production model with this new technology, and the car will go on sale in Europe later this year.
In order to make the solution viable for U.S. and Chinese buyers, it needs to feature a gasoline engine. In the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, the electrification technology is blended with a state-of-the-art 280-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine.
“The combination brings the ingenious plug-in hybrid solution into the global context we are aiming for with all our car models. The gasoline version has great potential in several markets that are vital for our ambitious growth plans, such as the United States, China and Russia,” Stefan Jacoby says.
Volvo Car Corporation’s North American dealers welcome the introduction of a plug-in hybrid.
“From a U.S. market perspective, a gasoline plug-in hybrid would be an excellent addition to our product offer,” says Patty Hooley, member of the Dealer Council of Volvo Cars North America.
Daily commute on electricity
An electric motor producing 70 horsepower – combined with a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine – gives the driver a muscular power plant packing a total of 350 horsepower. Yet this very same car can be driven up to 35 miles (charge depleting range, U.S. certification driving cycle) on electricity alone or as a high-efficiency hybrid with operational fuel economy 50 mpg.
The U.S certification standards include emissions from the production of the electric energy. According to the European certification driving cycle NEDC, CO2 emissions are 53 g/km (2.3 l/100 km) – which translates into fuel economy of over 100 mpg.
“A plug-in hybrid is the ideal eco-car for today’s conditions,” Stefan Jacoby says. “It gives a large proportion of motorists sufficient range on electricity for their daily commute. More than half of U.S. drivers cover less than 30 miles a day. With its three driving modes, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept also offers the owner a conventional model’s interior space, safety, performance and long range. It gives the driver uncompromising flexibility to cover every type of motoring need.”
Bridge to the future
In recent time, hybrids and all-electric cars have been establishing a presence in the minds of North American customers.
“Our goal is to be a leading brand within fuel efficiency,” Jacoby says. ” In the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid we emphasize how a blend of state-of-the-art combustion technology and innovative electrification can be an unbeatably attractive bridge to a future where the all-electric cars become more established in the market.”
| Volvo Cars of North America, LLC reserve the right to make changes at any time, without notice, to color, specifications, accessories, materials and models. | |
When is a Volvo a Bobo?
Bobos are for four-year-olds!
I guess at that age you are just unable to pronounce ‘V.’ My kids did the same thing. Hearing them say Bobo was always funny, but I believe that even at a young age a car can be something special to little folks.
The following came in from Alex in our Social Media group: “Essentially this girl is truly a Volvo fanatic at the young age of 4. Her parents drive an S60 and XC90 and she just has this unbelievable love for the brand. They have been in two accidents and were safe in both. She loves visiting Volvo dealerships, near her house or on vacation (Cherry Hill is their local). Her mom started posting to YouTube just for fun. We picked them up and reached out to them and they came and spent the day with us, toured the facility and had lunch. I am sure you can put a better spin on it then I can.”
No Alex, it doesn’t need any spinning. She was so cute it’s hard to put into words any better than what you have written, thanks.
Posted in safety, Volvo Saved My Life | 1 Comment »Where a photo can lead you
Many years ago, there was a TV show called “Connections” with James Burke. He could take something like a beetle scientist and link him to Sherlock Holmes with amazing clarity. Search YouTube for “James Burke.” So the other day, Mark, at Hemmings Motor News, sent us this 855 R photo just for our enjoyment, and I thought heck, lets post it to our blog.
So we asked Mark to get permission from the photographer, Lance Cole, and he came back with the following:
“This is a tuned 855 T5R with specially gray sprayed wheels. It is owned by French Swedish car guy Alain who also owns a concourse rally tuned 300bhp Volvo PV 544. Alain hosts a Volvo Saab French Swedish day in Brittany, France every year. The stunning photo was taken by well-known automotive and aerospace photographer and author Lance Cole in Brittany, France at dawn this past November. I have owned seven Volvos and three examples of a certain other Swedish car make! I love the V70 – it has room for all my Nikons and kits and soothes my bad back like no other car. My life was saved by a Volvo and its side impact system 10 years ago and I was the only person uninjured in a crash involving three cars and a truck.”
Lance asked if I could also include a shameless plug for his work. He is available worldwide for transport and travel photography and other commissions.
And now the connection part – his new book, “Secrets of the Spitfire,” is to be published by Pen and Sword books in Britain in April next year. So he and I emailed about how that was a plane I dreamed about when younger. I know war isn’t cool, but the Spitfire and P51 Mustang were just amazing pieces of technology. How beautifully graceful in design and function both are. I always loved taking things apart (not always getting them back together – sorry Dad) and we talked about Duxford Museum in Britain and their fantastic collection of airplanes. Flying machines are pure and simple, nothing is in excess. On one visit there, passing between exhibits, there was a photograph of a photographer standing in front of a plane holding a huge (maybe 4′ long) camera who looked exactly like my boss Bob Austin. Then it dawned on me that it was Bob’s father. He flew in a De Havilland Mosquito.
From Bob: He (Bob’s father) flew a De Havilland Mosquito. He was part of the 8th Air Force located in the UK at a base named Watton. The Mosquito was a twin engine, all plywood plane that was equipped either as a light bomber or a photo reconnaissance plane.
My dad’s plane flew night photo recon before and after bombing runs. They had no guns or armor. Their secret to survival was speed. They could cruise at 400 mph with two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. Very few Mosquitoes were in US livery, most were used by the RAF.
As Bob says, it’s the guy on the left..the one with hair.
Lance’s photo is just wonderful to look at and almost peaceful in those colors. I think 850 T5R was one of those legendary cars that will not only be a collector’s piece but will still be running for many years to come, as will S60 R and V70 R.
So its funny how one totally unrelated something leads to something else and in a way is related after all.
dan
Posted in 855R, Volvo History | 1 Comment »Early holiday present to employees for a job well done
As mentioned in some prior blog posts, all too often employees might think this is just another job, a 9-5 gig (yeah right, most work much more than that, meaning they take pride in what they do and when having fun, time flies). But when we get customer letters about how they believe our car saved their life, well it truly is rewarding.
We often take acknowledgement from organizations like the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) not for granted, but as only one aspect of how safety is measured and quantified. For us, it is an affirmation that our work towards Vision 2020 (no deaths or serious injuries in a Volvo by year 2020) is moving forward. We often get asked “what if you don’t meet that goal?” Even if we don’t, our cars will be safer and less lives will be lost, and that is the goal after all. It’s interesting that in all the years of focusing on safety, I cannot remember a corporate goal. We remember when Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Engineer at VCC, made the Vision 2020 statement. It was a shock coupled with pride that we would pen such a lofty goal.
So congratulations to all who work here for a job well done.
dan
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Five Volvo models get IIHS Top Safety Pick award
Volvo Car Corporation’s leadership in car safety is confirmed in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2012 Top Safety Pick award.
The U.S. award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes – and no less than five Volvo models – the C30, S60, S80, XC60 and XC90 – earned a Top Safety Pick. Volvo is the only European luxury brand with five awarded models in the new IIHS report.
“The risk of being involved in an accident or being injured in one of our latest car models has been reduced with more than two thirds compared with a Volvo from the 1970s. Now, we keep on moving towards our safety vision that nobody should die or suffer serious injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020″, says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Car Corporation.
IIHS Top Safety Pick is based on four accident scenario results*:
- Frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph (64 km/h) frontal offset crash tests.
- Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph (50 km/h). The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV.
- To earn a good rating for rollover protection, the car roof must withstand a force of four times the vehicle’s weight before reaching five inches of crush.
- Rear crash protection is rated using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph (32 km/h).
Outstanding U.S. NCAP rating
Volvo Car Corporation’s dedication to car safety has been recognized in several recent studies.
The XC60 is also the only SUV crossover with an IIHS Top Safety Pick and an overall 5 star U.S. NCAP rating. In the 2010 test, the XC60 received 5 stars in all individual crash tests, including 5 stars for the driver and 5 stars for the passenger in the frontal collision as well as 5 stars in both side tests.
Auto brake results in fewer accidents
Earlier this year, the benefits of the groundbreaking City Safety technology – featuring automatic braking in low speed situations – were documented in another IIHS report stating a reduction of the collision frequency with up to 22 percent. The IIHS study of insurance claims involving a Volvo XC60 shows that City Safety reduces the costs for personal injury claims with 51 percent – while vehicle repair costs were lowered by more than 20 percent.
A similar study by the Swedish insurance company Volvia shows that Volvo cars equipped with automatic braking are involved in 22 percent fewer rear end accidents than cars without auto brake.
* Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Where do design ideas come from?
When we launched our first gen S40/V50 we invited media to Snoqualmie, Washington. The location was perfect for what we wanted to show. Our launch date coincided with mid-summer – big party time in Sweden – so Soren hired local Swedish dancers to help us put on a Mid-Sommer party, which also included lots of herring and other great food. Along with US staffers, we had our interior designer, José Diaz de la Vega, present the S40/V50 design and talked about what it meant for Volvo and our customers.
Since our drive route would take us over some really sweet mountains, nice lakes and beautiful country side, Jose and I partnered for each days “ride/drive.” I told Jose that I wanted to stop at a local rock and mineral shop, just to see what I could collect – yes I collect rocks, perhaps a few too many according to some. Jose bought some really interesting rocks because he “loved the texture.” Interesting…looking organically for ideas.
When I was doing some research the other day and looking for comments about our center stack, I was surprised at how some considered this a “signature” feature in Volvo cars. Amazing. If you think about other cars and what would be considered a signature feature…that’s tough. MB’s three-pointed star hood emblem, maybe. BMW propeller emblem, maybe. But what car has an interior feature that could be called out as representing a brand? None that I could think of.
Arne Jacobsen Bent Wood Chair 1955
Arne Jacobsen – Danish (1902-1971) (http://designmuseum.org/design/arne-jacobsen). Arne is known for his “Egg Chair” and other furniture that is pure Scandinavian Form and Function design language. We also took design cues from Bang & Olufsen’s remote control designs. Taking what is purely Nordic and creating timeless designs that add to an experience, enhance functionality, and that look darn good, takes constant thinking about how to make something elegantly simple.
So next time you look at one of our center stacks, check the surface texture and think of Jose and his rock from Washington state, and how our design team keeps our cars looking Scandinavian.
dan
Posted in design, Scandinavian Design | 1 Comment »Your Concept Car (YCC)
When we first announced Concept You, my mind clicked to Your Concept Car (YCC). Back in 2004, at the Geneva Auto Show we presented a car designed by women, for women. I know, Detroit has done “women’s cars” but they missed the point. Sure focus groups help understand women’s needs but to turn five really talented female VCC staffers loose to design their own car, that’s much different.
To me, the exterior of the YCC was fairly close to the Safety Concept Car, later the C30. About the same size and similar exterior. However, the interior of the YCC was very different from the C30. I was never a fan of that instrument panel and center console; our ”waterfall” design is just so much more unique, and well, Scandinavian.
Here is a brief background on the YCC project:
The idea of an all-women team making all the decisions in the development of a new concept car arose at Volvo in the autumn of 2001.
After a series of preliminary studies, the project was given the go-ahead by VCC management team in December 2002. The project management team behind YCC consisted of five women. The three chief designers were also women. The team’s brief was to take a free hand and develop a concept car capable of winning the approval of the most demanding Volvo customer category – the independent female professional.
VCC’s customer research showed that the woman buyer in the premium segment is the most demanding of all customer categories. She wants everything that men want in terms of performance, prestige and style. But she also wants more, such as smart storage, easy access and exit, good visibility possibility to personalize, minimal maintenance and easy parking.
Our then VCC President and CEO Hans-Olov Olsson said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for us: we can concentrate on the fast growing group of women customers – without losing the men. Because I’m certain that our male customers would love this concept car.” Hans-Olov (his internal nickname was H2O…get it?) was with us in NJ for about four years. Good guy with a great business mind, and well respected by all of us. I tried to teach him how to use a Palm PDA but that’s a different story.
Some of the ideas that stuck were a very strong shoulder, back then called “catwalk,” which gave it a more muscular, yet elegant look. We used a “flip” (color change) finish, that would later show up in some of our metallics. Depending on the light, it would turn from green to gold or blue to yellow (I like that change the best). The rear light design is something close to what we’re doing today with S60. And the center stack for system controls is also used today.
I suspect if you venture to our museum in Gothenburg, YCC is probably on display. Would be fun to go back and see it again.
dan
Posted in concept car, Volvo Concept, Your Concept Car | 6 Comments »Interview – Volvo’s Concept and Monitoring Center
An auto company’s concept studio/design center/think tanks, which give a glimpse into transportation future thinking, are rarely opened for media. It’s where ideas are born, like two vehicles in one lane (Tandem project: http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0408_volvo_tandem/viewall.html )
our ‘sitting man’ heat/air conditioning air distribution system:
and, of course, our ECC which would point the way to our future of Scandinavian design.
Prior to this year’s L.A. International Auto Show, we took the opportunity to take a small group of media to Volvo’s Concept and Monitoring Center (VMCC) to glimpse into our future. Alex Tripi, one of our social media guys, sat down with the head of VMCC. Enjoy the read.
dan
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We had a very unique opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC). Located in Southern California, this is one of four Volvo design centers around the world. While you may have never heard of the VMCC, you are certainly familiar with their work. Some of Volvo’s most influential models have come out of the California studio, including the XC90, XC60, C70, S60 and S80, not to mention countless concepts that have and will shape the future of the brand.
To take advantage of this behind the scenes access, we offered you an opportunity to give us your questions and comments to pass along to our designers. When we asked, you answered. So we sat down with Bjorn Wessman, General Manager at VMCC and Vice President Volvo Cars, and this is what he had to say…
Q: What can we expect from the next generation XC90? Will the next generation XC90 be more of an evolutionary or revolutionary design?
A: It’s hard to say right now. We are very close to locking in the next design, but given the fact that we’ll soon be appointing a new Head of Design, there is still time for things to change. One thing is for certain, the next XC90 will carry on the tradition of being an extremely capable and versatile vehicle designed around its driver.
Q: The Concept You, many of our fans have compared it to other sedans from our competitors. From a designer’s point of view, how does this make you feel?
A: In this case flattered. The sedans it is being compared to represent beautiful design. However, while it may have some similarities, the You is very unique.
Q: Can we expect to see more masculine cars in the future?
A: In general both men and women prefer more masculine looking cars. Some cars should have a masculine look. In particular, SUVs and sports sedan. However, smaller “city cars” could have a more feminine look to them. Which brings us to our next question…
Q: What does the future of small cars look like for Volvo in the US?
A: At the moment we are focusing on larger, more luxurious cars in the United States. We are a small company with aspirations to gain market share. That is not to say smaller luxury cars are not something we would like to have in the future, but it is not where our focus is at the time being.
Q: What do you see as the benchmark for the next generation S80?
A: The Audi A6. It is a great car, and I am confident we have what it takes to design a car that is more exciting and thoughtful.
Q: How will Volvo set itself apart in the competitive luxury market?
A: There is a new corporate vision at Volvo. Scandinavian luxury designed around you. This is a unique position and done correctly, it will set us apart. Creating uncluttered, easy to use cars that make life simpler is our definition of luxury. Combine with quality craftsmanship and the use of natural materials, you’ll see something from Volvo not offered by our competitors.
Q: What does Scandinavian luxury mean to you?
A: Simplicity. Use of natural materials. Not over cluttered, clean and beautifully executed, but NEVER boring. Being a native Swede, we asked Bjorn if he thought this gave him an edge. He said it doesn’t hurt, he was brought up living this way of life and truly understanding this philosophy. He understands there needs to be a balance, but it is a part of who he is.
Q: When will we start to see more exclusive features like full LED headlights and panoramic roofs?
A: The XC90, which will be our first car launched on our all new SPA platform will introduce a number of class leading luxury design elements.
Q: Is there a signature headlight and taillight design we can expect to see from Volvo?
A: Headlights and taillights are the jewels of the car and need to be treated as such. The tail lights on the XC60 are a great execution of eye catching design. But there is an even greater opportunity for beautiful design in this area. Lights on and off are equally as important so look for more impressive things to come.
Q: Many people fondly recall Volvos of the past. How do you feel Volvo design has changed over the years?
A: Volvo design has evolved but we have always remained true to who we are. While some elements are more subtle then others, there are pieces of our design that we have carried out throughout the years. For instance, our strong shoulders, and grill shape. Design must evolve, cars must look modern and fresh, and I believe we do an excellent job at representing our past while moving towards the future.
And for those of you begging for a remake of classic models, Bjorn has assured us that Volvo will never design a retro car. That is not to say that elements of past designs won’t be reinterpreted in a modern way, but retro is not a direction we will be heading in.
Q: What Volvo do you feel best represents the brand, either past of present?
A: Easily the P1800, a gorgeous car that has withstood the test of time.
Q: Do you see a position for a “Halo” car in the future Volvo lineup?
A: Absolutely. It is important for the brand and it is something we will see. We are hard at work on our core products at the moment, but the future of Volvo is very exciting.
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