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Concept
Lab Volvo Gives 2003 New York Auto Show-Goers a
Glimpse Into the Future
Unique Computer
Interface Allows Visitors the Chance to Impact the Way
Volvo Cars of the Future May Look
NEW YORK, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Building a
futuristic, wildly styled concept car that is chock
full of eye-popping gizmos and electronic wizardry is
almost impossible to bring to market, or so you think.
Visitors to the 2003 New York International auto show
that drop by the Volvo display stand will have the
unique opportunity to do just that when Volvo Cars of
North America, LLC, shows Concept Lab Volvo, a unique
computer-based interactive design experience that
gives the consumer a chance to "chime in" on
possible future Volvo cars.
"Volvo has always cared about the people who
drive our cars," commented Vic Doolan, President
and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, LLC.
"With Concept Lab Volvo we are taking it to the
next level. We want them to tell us how Volvo cars of
the future should look. Concept Lab Volvo only
reiterates what we've been saying since the launch of
the XC90, 'You think, and then you build.'"
Concept studies of future small Volvos on display
Concept Lab Volvo includes five highly interesting
concept studies of how an entire range of small Volvos
could look. Models of these cars will remain on
display throughout the show and include:
 -- A yellow sport sedan: A study that explores how dynamic a compact
sedan can be. Ultra-light construction is utilized for outstanding
fuel economy and many of the visible and structural and suspension
parts are derived from motorcycle design.
 -- A sports coupe: A blend of retrospective shapes from earlier Volvos
and a futuristic view on a compact two-seater sports car. It also
includes a zero emission powertrain with a hybrid battery pack.
 -- A small SUV: Demonstrates how the expressive ruggedness and
flexibility in a large SUV can come in a compact size with an
efficient footprint. It allows off-road use as well as urban
convenience. The load fixation system is integrated in the roof
design.
 -- An "Urban Jungle Rider": An extremely compact four-wheel drive
roadster with a flexible roof set-up. The glass roof may be removed,
exposing the aluminum structural frame.
 -- A four-seat hatchback: Maybe the shortest Volvo ever, with extremely
short front and rear over hangs. It could be a three- or five-door
design. The strong shoulder section emphasizes the modern Volvo
heritage combined with stunning coupe-like lines.
Next to each scale model resides a touch-screen
computer monitor. Visitors will be able to move
through various pages, answering questions about each
vehicle from design to safety features that will help
Volvo Car Corporation determine how these potential
future models should be brought to market.
Using the World Wide Web for customer interaction
Via the www.conceptlabvolvo.com Internet site,
customers throughout the world have direct contact
with the heart and brains behind Volvo Cars. Visitors
to the site can ask questions and put forward their
views on these latest models and concept cars directly
to the key persons behind current and future Volvo
cars. The latest additions to the Concept Lab
"range" are the Versatility Concept Car (VCC)
-- also to be unveiled at the New York show -- and the
five other small-car concept studies.
Launched earlier this year, about 5,000 people have
registered as members on www.conceptlabvolvo.com and
more than 100,000 people have visited the site so far.
Reactions to the concepts have been positive:
"Ahead of the curve," "smart,
intelligent, interesting," "seeing the
future," are just a few of the comments people
have entered in the site's evaluation poll.
The results show that a majority of users found the
system easy to use and thought it an excellent way to
interact with the Swedish car company. But it's not
just the public who are keen to take part. Experts
from all corners of Volvo Car Corporation are thrilled
to be part of Concept Lab Volvo, too.
"As designers, we are employed to set trends.
But we can't sit in the design studio in Sweden and
decide what the rest of the world should drive,"
commented Volvo Car Chief Designer Henrik Otto.
"We need to know what people think about our
ideas and our visions of the future. Concept Lab Volvo
is an unfiltered pathway between the company and the
individual, and the Internet gives us contact with
people who don't go to motor shows or read car
magazines. Personally, I think that Concept Lab Volvo
appeals to a younger audience that we have a hard time
reaching through more traditional channels. And we are
very keen to know what young people think about our
future and visions. After all, they are the ones who
are going to buy these cars."
Volvo concepts often become a reality
"Our concept cars are not simply one-off
dreams," said Doolan. "They feed the
development of our production cars. In fact, two of
the concept cars previously shown became production
vehicles. The Adventure Concept Car (ACC) became the
XC90 -- a truly outstanding success story that
continues to this day. And the Performance Concept
Cars (PCC1 and PCC2) turned into the exciting new S60
R and V70 R."
The site now includes detailed information about
the thoughts behind the new Volvo Versatility Concept
Car (VCC) -- and the five other exciting concept
studies from Volvo's design studios in California,
Spain and Sweden.
Concept Lab Volvo is open throughout the auto show.
It can be accessed from terminals on the Volvo stand,
or from any computer with an Internet connection.
Source: Volvo Cars of
North America, LLC
http://www.conceptlabvolvo.com/
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