No rest time for Volvo Design Chief Steve Mattin after bringing the XC60 Concept into the world. Steve has been working on the next S60, and these first renderings by our neighbours Auto Motor & Sport from Sweden look very promising indeed.
AMS had a friendly chat with Steve at the Geneva Show and managed to catch some glimpses of the next S60 design sketches, which they then sent over to their GCI artist, the attached pictures show the result, a bold new design for the S60, which is to mingle with the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class crowd. With the S40 growing up, and the S80 already in the line-up, the S60 is looking to stand out and become it's own model, you can expect a V60 too.
US headquarters delayed the S60 programme for 6 months, due to funding problems, but as things stand now we should be seeing the S60 on the roads in 2009/2010. It should also sell better than the current version, no big news there, with an expected 150,000 (450k to 600k) unit increase.
Big thanks go out to Pär.
Source: Speculations: New Volvo S60 Design Direction
Speculations: New Volvo S60 Artist Impression
by Frank
March 23, 2007 5:25 AM
Filed Under:
Auto Motor & Sport (Sweden)
March 23, 2007 5:25 AM
Filed Under:
Comments
gnomeking
March 23, 2007 10:08 PM
Bravo, Volvo for taking a chance. I love the new tail light direction and it still retaines some of the old character without the large angular upper portian. The front looks fresh and distinct but a little too Ford.
porsche_rules
March 24, 2007 6:05 PM
I really dislike this version of the Volvo S60 because I think that first of all, the rear is way too big for this car. Secondly, What once used to be a nice interesting swedish car has just turned into a weird disfigured Japanese spaceship! I dont think they have done a good jobwith the car I think that if they went more into the luxury segment, as oppose to the spaceage part I think they would have done much better. And icing on the cake, all of the lines on the side are messed up.
amunim
March 26, 2007 8:33 AM
its a horror... japanese volvo? mixture of ford focus and mazda3. dont like the curve in the middle its horrible to look at... still like the old volvo better than this... stright clean cut design... not my cup of tea... mazda and volvo owned by ford motor... could be the designer from mazda who design this car... it could be the designer form both sides argueing about the design... that is why its such a mess...
amunim
March 26, 2007 10:23 AM
this is the worst design... the old ones are the best looking ones...sleek straight cut design
porsche_rules
March 26, 2007 9:11 PM
At least make it longer, for gods sake its a nice luxurious swedish sedan, not a small japanese compact car
djminfll
December 6, 2007 5:21 AM
The tail lights, which are the best looking part of the current S60, look like they belong on a Chevy, and the side view of the body looks like something new from Mitsubishi. Sorry, but to me, this new Volvo is not going to cut it.
archytype
August 29, 2008 4:35 AM
Overall the body has a great shape, very athletic well proportioned. And for once it doesn't appear behind in evolution.
It has more curves than an Audi which is a good thing. The shoulderline is built-out in a way that distinguishes the design. Definately needs a few strategic nips and cuts to make it more taut. Also the rear has cheap looking tail lights and the rear bumper looks like it came off a nissan maxima. I'd take the little curve off the top of trunk to make the car more solid. The front bumper looks dated and chunky like 1999.
But it actually looks it's part, like a small luxury car. If built I would buy this over a C-Class or 3 Series if the ride were great and the doors closed solid.
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