Volvo Design boss – gone!
March 31, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
The round of sudden and unexpected departures continue at car companies with Ford apparently acknowledging that Volvo’s gifted design boss, British-born Steve Mattin, has left the company, although details are sketchy.
Mr Mattin has been a shining light at Volvo in recent times, with credits for the C30 and XC60, as well as the driving force behind the brilliant S60 Concept, shown for the first time at the North American International Motor Show, this year.
It has not been a long tenure at Volvo for Mr Mattin, as he only arrived there in 2005 after 17 years working with the then DaimlerChrysler ,where he penned such superb designs as the current generation Mercedes-Benz SLR, SLK and SL cars.
Mr Mattin may have left as a result of Ford attempts at selling the Swedish car company, but whatever the cause, it must have been serious enough, given he was reported to have said that he would “stay (at Volvo) for the rest of my life” shortly after arriving at the company.
We doubt whether this is good news for Volvo, given they were on a roll with their recent product, but we’ll keep you posted with what transpires.
Their kicking all the Top Guns out….
I think that is a great looking volvo…at least i know id be safe in it..
Yes, this is news, or rather was news when it happened.
Autoblog reported it on the 27th !
No doubt the news was leaked from Ford HQ in the US which is precisely where autoblog is based. Good on them for scooping such news
Wheres he gonna go though, with Ford elsewhere? Whatever is designes are great IMO.
It is a shame, though (referencing Mattin’s credit for the C30 and XC60) the C30 isnt much more than a 2 door hatch version of the s40 (commenced 2004) in appearance. The XC60 seems completely new (exterior doesnt really follow the XC90 or the XC70, save for the front and the “trainlines” along the side) though it isnt as snazzy in the flesh as it is in pictures. The interiors are all pretty much the same now, following on from the s40 style with the floating centre console and general layout. The new s60 looks the goods though. I hope they still decide to make it.
Mattin’s contribution to the revitalisation of Volvo design is overrated. The most remarkable watersheds in recent Volvo design history – the S60, the related V70 and the XC90 – were all penned by Peter Horbury or under his watch. Many Volvo watchers may go as far as to say that Mattin did little more than follow Horbury’s lead – and in doing so preside over the production of a number of more fussy and less scandinavian designs, witness the tails of the new V70 and XC70. (Oh, and the seats in the new V70 are not as good as those in the old S60. I know, for I’ve owned and driven many miles in both).
having had an s60R, I can say that they were the best seats of any car I have ever been in, far better than the good benzes or the Jag. I think that the newer models have thinner seats for more legroom in the rear, but you lose comfort and side support.