Volvo Concept XC Coupe does the full monte ahead of Detroit debut [w/video]

Wed, 08 Jan 2014

When the doors open at the Cobo Center next week for the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, Volvo will lift the veil on its new Concept XC Coupe. But you don't have to even wait that long. A set of images leaked out yesterday to accompany a teaser video released by Volvo, but now the Swedish automaker has revealed the full thing.

The second of three new concept cars aiming to show the way forward for the brand, the Concept XC Coupe follows the Concept Coupe revealed last September. Based on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture, the Concept XC Coupe is expected to preview the next-generation XC90 crossover, but with two fewer doors and a four-seat cabin.

With orange details, matte rubber moldings and underbody skid plates, the design is said to have been inspired by outdoor equipment manufacturer POC – naturally also based in Sweden – whose products are favored by extreme athletes around the world. It rides on 21-inch wheels and incorporates T-shaped DRL headlights, with distinctive tail-lights earmarked to make their way onto the next generation of production Volvos.

Unfortunately that's about the extent of the technical details Volvo is disclosing at this point for the concept crossover coupe, but you can delve into the press release along with the similarly brief video clip below, and the high-resolution images in the gallery above.

THE VOLVO CONCEPT XC COUPÉ: SOPHISTICATED CAPABILITY AND CONTEMPORARY SAFETY, INSPIRED BY MODERN SPORTS EQUIPMENT

The second of Volvo's three concept cars is the new Volvo Concept XC Coupé. Inspired by the design of modern sports equipment and demonstrating the safety capabilities of Volvo's new Scalable Product Architecture, it is a sophisticated and capable car for people with an active lifestyle.

"Those who love extreme sports freely seek new thrills and challenges. To ensure that they make it back in one piece, they prefer high-performance equipment that offers the ultimate sense of freedom and protection," says Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design of Volvo Car Group.

"The Volvo Concept XC Coupé is perfectly in tune with this active lifestyle. Its capability and protection is cleverly integrated into the sophisticated looks. Concept XC Coupé is ready and willing to bring you into the adventure zone and back," he adds.

Sleeker and safer at the same time

The three concept cars are designed to demonstrate vital elements of the company's new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA): the confident stance, the proportions and the most prominent design signatures.

"Concept XC Coupé also shows how clever engineering makes it possible for us to reinforce our world-leading safety without compromising design, size or weight. Thanks to the extensive use of high-strength boron steel and structures with new, ingenious decoupling, we can make SPA cars more compact and safer at the same time," says Thomas Ingenlath.

The two-door, four-seater Volvo Concept XC Coupé has a strong connection with its sibling, the Volvo Concept Coupé. However, the larger 21-inch wheels, the more accentuated wheel-arches and the taller roofline all contribute to a more robust impression and a fuller, capable look.

The extended distance between the dashboard and the front axle is still a very powerful visual element. The capable stance is emphasised by details such as the new bonnet and a beltline that spans an elegant bow along the length of the car.

High-tech sport gear

The connection with modern, high-tech sports gear is highly present in the concept car. Among the sources of inspiration for the design team is the Swedish company POC, which develops high-tech protective gear for extreme sports athletes.

"Several orange details and exterior graphics in combination with bold use of matte rubber mouldings, which cover the rear end of the car, add to the highly functional expression of the design," says Thomas Ingenlath.

To strike the right balance between aesthetics and functionality, the design team has also given traditional SUV elements, such as side mouldings and skid plates, a modern interpretation. They are more integrated into the sleek design, flush with the surrounding body areas.

T-shaped DRL lights

Just like the Volvo Concept Coupé, the face of the Volvo Concept XC Coupé is characterised by a new topography on the bonnet and the 'floating' grille, flanked by headlights featuring new T-shaped DRL light guides. The rear light signature is also a distinctive element in the new design direction of Volvo Cars.

"Both concept cars show how we can shape our cars from now on. We add emotional value to the Volvo brand with the calm, confident beauty that is the hallmark of Scandinavian design," says Thomas Ingenlath.

Building on a proud XC heritage

Volvo Cars paved the way for a completely new segment by introducing the V70 Cross Country in 1997. The range has been continuously developed and extended since then. Presently, it spans from the Volvo V40 Cross Country, via the XC60 and XC70, to the XC90.

"With the Volvo Concept XC Coupé, we take this unique blend of capable ruggedness and expressive elegance up to a new, sportier attitude," says Thomas Ingenlath.

By Noah Joseph