cars-trend: volvo s60 concept

Thursday, 28 July 2011

volvo s60 concept

Judging by Volvo's heavy use of the terms "coupe-like" and "coupe-inspired," we can surmise that the Volvo S60 concept is a sedan following the growing trend of coupe imitators. The front end of the S60 concept has been drawn back and smoothed out in a design that Volvo says was inspired by the cliffs and seas of the Swedish coastline. Design language aside, we can't help but notice how much it looks like the stylish Jaguar XF.
This concept introduces a technology Volvo calls Powershift. The automaker describes it succinctly as "two manual gearboxes working in parallel, each regulated by its own clutch." Powershift is a name Ford has tossed around for its coming dual-clutch gearbox, and by the looks of it, the transmission will make its debut in the S60 concept. However the transmission is configured, it will receive power from a 1.6L GTDi four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injected gasoline engine making 180 hp and emitting only 0.42 lbs of CO2 per mile.
Inside, the S60 concept will have a center console made from Orrefors crystal that runs down the center stack and all the way to the rear seat backrest. While Volvo admits the three-piece crystal console won't make it into production, Volvo President and CEO Stephen Odell says we may see crystal-like accents in future Volvo cars.