2010 Volvo S60 Concept revealed
December 16, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
After whetting our appetites with a series of teaser images, Volvo has completely revealed its new S60 Concept which will make its first public debut at next month’s North American International Motor Show.
Far removed from the Volvo stereotypes of old, the S60 Concept’s coupe-inspired lines are an accurate representation of what customers will be able to buy in the near future.
The development team has taken evolutionary design to a whole new level, with the trademark iron mark flanked by an ultra modern yet distinctly recognizable Volvo form.
The interior sculpture of the headlights is inspired by the brand’s Scandinavian heritage, creating the image of two miniature Viking longboats – one for main beam and one for dipped beam.
A unique rear door arrangement opens in two phases, first swinging out in the traditional manner before gliding parallel with the side of the car before reaching its final position by the rear wheel.
Easy access is guaranteed as the S60 Concept loses the traditional B-pillar placement between the front and rear seats.
“In forthcoming models, you will see more and more of our “racetrack” design cues. The car’s lines do not end abruptly but instead forge a continuous flowing pattern inspired by the fast sweeps of the racing track. In the concept car, this is particularly visible at the rear,” says Steve Mattin.
Inside, the S60 Concept features a crystal panel which floats above the centre console, partially framed by aluminium trim and lit by hidden light sources to match the driver’s mood.
While the gear selector is in the horizontal position, the car changes gear automatically, although for a more involving experience the lever can be flipped into the vertical position for manual shifts.
The S60 Concept debuts the next generation in preventative safety technology from Volvo, conveyed to the driver via a heads-up display system projected onto the windshield.
A collision Warning system with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection reacts when a pedestrian walks out in front of a car, working in unison with the car’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) which is integrated in the A-pillars.
“The previous stages were developed to help the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles. Now we are taking a giant step forward with a feature that also boosts safety for unprotected road-users. What is more, we are now advancing from fifty percent to full automatic braking power. To our knowledge, none of our competitors have made such progress in this area,” explains Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars.
The all-new Volvo S60 will arrive in 2010, premiering the new safety technologies and design inspiration showcased in the concept version.
Print it: 
awesome – i love it.
looks better that Jag XF and more meaty than a CLS (though i love both of those cars).
seriosuly though, i;d go the volvo, not only because it’ll most likey end up being the cheaper option.
LOVE IT!
might be a bit better in a dark graphite or a ‘mocha’ pearl…
I read somewhere that this is the new small sedan. They’re getting rid of the S40 model when it reaches the end of its model run. Probably wrong though
looks very nice.
This looks fenomenal!
A sexy looking Volvo? What is this world comin to!
Wow, that is simply, wow. If Volvo keep on like this they could be where Aston Martin is now in another ten years as far as looks go. I would personally prefer an XF, but that is only because I’m British. Volvo making the most exciting looking large sedan, that’s not something I thought I would ever write. Now, not everybody will think it’s good looking but I think it’s hard to deny that this is the most exciting looking executive car, same case with the interior. I know it’s a concept but Volvo usually stay pretty true to form when it comes to production versions and they certainly should here.
Bazil, I think that is wrong, but this is quite compact looking so maybe…
Last I heard either the s60 or the s40 was to go. The s40 in its new shape (post June 04) has nearly the same sized interior as the s60 anyway, though (having had both) the s40 is easier to live with, given its better handling and turning circle. Hopefully the new s60 will achieve the better handling to go with the good looks, and maybe eventually come out in an R format, though that might be unlikely due to limited appeal.
Volvo have made some really ugly cars in the past but i gotta say that this one is just beautiful.
The front kinda looks like a cross between a toyota aurion and a mazda 6, and the back like a jag :)
It looks good. i can also see a passing resemblance to the current mondeo which i imagine is no mistake as Ford=Volvo for the moment.
now, if they can somehow rearrange the letters v-o-l-v-o so it doesn’t spell or sound like volvo when you say it then i think they’re on winner.
I am smack bang in the middle of the type of demographic volvo is trying to tap into with cars like this, and the c30 – aka under 35, professional with a car history that includes a mini coopers s, a bmw120i and a presently a focus xr5.
And now, i want a volvo.
where do i sign?
Im 20 years old and i want a volvo?
Somethings not right here……
not sure if anyone had noticed the way the rear door opens.. Looks like it slides back and out. Interesting and nice to see them doing something different.
Nice one. What’s the bet the production version looks nothing like it?
very sexy indeed.
Is it just me or does the headlights look exactly like the Ford Focus XR5 – not just the engines they are sharing it would seem.
Yeah I don’t know, I like the interior, but as far as concepts go I think it’s nothing ground breaking.
But I do really like the rear door arrangment, still not enough to get me into an Ovlov
HAL, the headlight shape is quite different to the one on the Focus. What do you mean not just the engines they are sharing? It doesn’t make sense because the headlights are not nearly identical to the ones on the Focus so they are obviously not sharing them. The headlight shape on this car is what it is because of the way the design flows, the creases and the curves. It fits into a certain place in the car.
ScottB, from Volvos previous concept cars, the production one will probably almost the same as this and if you don’t believe me, go and look up the XC60 concept gallery. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if it lost alot of it’s quirks. For instance, the back door, the roof and the bumpers will probably all be changed. I wouldn’t be surprised if the interior was toned down a bit too, but I really hope not. I think the overall body will be go quite unchanged though and from reading all these comments, it appears that’s how people want it. I certainly do.
Volvo are really stepping up their game with designs. This concept looks great!! Like Ford (European division) and Mazda, Volvo’s designs are really becoming class leading. I hope they continue this way. Good job volvo.
Very, very beautiful. The colour’s a throwback to a popular choice on the ES1800s.
Alex,
Have a look at the new LV XR5 Focus, you know, the model with the supposed ‘kinetic design’ principles Ford are employing across their range (but as yet have not done to the rest of the Focus range as far as I’m aware). I said the headlights look the same – have a look at a picture of the XR5 and I think you will be quite surprised at how similar they are.
And the XR5 uses a Volvo engine – what doesn’t make sense about that? I didn’t say the exact engine out of this Volvo is the one they are using in the XR5, more I was suggesting that there seems to be a lot of ’shared knowledge’ between these 2 manufacturers at present, which is a good thing – they are both building some pretty nice looking cars.
I like this car glass material for the inside is just smart and nice. But how do they stick the screen circles and clutch?
Thats more smart then any brand than i noe =)
Those headlights look nothing like the XR5, get your eyes checked
Who would have thought a brown car could ever look good.
HAL, I know exactly what Focus you are talking about and yes, the new lights have gone across the whole Focus range (in Europe at least) and I am saying that they are quite different because they are. And I know very well Ford and Volvo share engines, I said it doesn’t make sense because you said “I guess that’s not all they’re sharing” when you were talking about the headlights and considering the headlights are not the same, it didn’t make sense.
Wow i never thought i would wont a volvo but this looks good and if it were on sale now i would prob buy one
Alex:
I thought this was a forum to post one’s opinions? In my opinion the headlights look like the Focus, if they don’t to you, so be it. Each to their own.
Smokin R32: thanks for the advice.
Man, such cool, tolerant people on this website.
I’ll toss you a bone, Hal – they do look pretty close from the distance! There is some part sharing/cross manufacturing. In fact, I think the jag XF bonnet is made by volvo (I’m not 100% on that) and certainly the 5 cyl engines between volvo/ford are shared, but I am not sure that it goes much further than that. Really, half of the new cars on the road look alike to me (eg lexus looks like jag xf looks like mondeo looks like hyundai), so it is no real wonder. I am keen on this one, having had several volvos. Good car for the missus, who loves the XF, but it is too big for her. Gear selector is not my cup of tea, but the practicality of it (like the “mixmaster” in the XF) is that it doesnt stick out and ruin the symetry of the console. Those front seats look hard hard hard. When they beef them up to give comfort, say goodbye to all that rear legroom…
Thanks Pious – finally, some sanity!
Anyway, I have had a bit of a think about it and basically I find it hilarious that my flippant, throwaway comment about some headlights can cause such derisive responses from some people. Having read the comments on other articles it seems to be the modus operandi of some of the regular posters, so that’s cool.
Still think those headlights do look the same though :-)
best car i have seen this year and if it is like the XC60 concept it will go to production relatively unchanged