Autoblog UK

Yet in no way have they ignored or disowned the physique that has typified the marque to this day. The familiar stocky build is still there in the Concept S60, albeit in a more rounded form. Likewise the styling of the tail end with its rear lights (obviously transformed into contemporary LEDs).

As is appropriate for a notchback sedan of the 21st century, you sense that this futuristic Swede would far rather be a coupé, which can be deduced from the flat roofline and barely perceptible step in the tailgate. Nowadays, virtually every model has one, but it still looks good all the same.

The front is graced by a slightly larger and more pronounced grille with prominent Volvo logo. The headlights, including the small auxiliary lights between main lamps and radiator grille, are similar in shape to those of the XC60. The usual show car frippery such as the exaggerated door design is a mere distraction and barely worth mentioning, as it has virtually no chance of being implemented in series production.

In the interior, we find the next step up in the development of the already familiar flat central console, used here as a style statement to differentiate this model from its competitors. In the S60 Concept, it extends from the dashboard to the rear seats and consists of high-grade crystal glass. As a material, of course, this is totally impractical, but the geometry or something similar could certainly make it through to the series production stage.

City Safety technology, well known from the XC60, has been further refined for incorporation into this new prototype. With pedestrian sensing and fully autonomous emergency braking, the system is set to enter series production in 2010. The S60 Concept is proof, if any were needed, that ultra-cool hi-tech is not the exclusive preserve of the design team in Ingolstadt. I'm looking forward to the series version.