Volvo tries to shrink XC60 design language for next S60. Fails. See post #44.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tornado
  • 59 comments
  • 4,641 views
bilde


It looks like a badger.
 
That'd fall into the category of "worse." Volvo caters to a very narrow market, one that is touched on really only by its Swede rival Saab, and maybe to some small extent by Audi. The problem for Volvo, I believe, is that Ford doesn't know what to do with them. On the one hand, they've integrated oodles of Volvo goodness into every brand in some way/shape/form, but at the same time, they're threatening to sell the brand every couple of months.

The honest to goodness problem that Volvo has is that they sell on name only, despite the fact that they're building outstanding cars. Adding to that problem, people who buy Volvos are generally able to afford more-expensive cars. Give or take, Volvo needs to make more cars that appeal to the VW and Subaru markets. The C30 is an amazing little car, but without a cheap model, its going to lose a lot of sales to the Rabbit or Cooper based on price alone. Same with the S40, S60 and S80, brilliant cars, but not for the price.

But I do not believe that is enough to call them a failure. Like it or not, BMW and GM are going to buy them and tear them apart to make their own. Volvo is still ahead of the curve on safety, and I'd care to argue that they're ahead on style in some occasions as well.
 
YSSMAN
That'd fall into the category of "worse." Volvo caters to a very narrow market, one that is touched on really only by its Swede rival Saab, and maybe to some small extent by Audi. The problem for Volvo, I believe, is that Ford doesn't know what to do with them. On the one hand, they've integrated oodles of Volvo goodness into every brand in some way/shape/form, but at the same time, they're threatening to sell the brand every couple of months.

The honest to goodness problem that Volvo has is that they sell on name only, despite the fact that they're building outstanding cars. Adding to that problem, people who buy Volvos are generally able to afford more-expensive cars. Give or take, Volvo needs to make more cars that appeal to the VW and Subaru markets. The C30 is an amazing little car, but without a cheap model, its going to lose a lot of sales to the Rabbit or Cooper based on price alone. Same with the S40, S60 and S80, brilliant cars, but not for the price.

But I do not believe that is enough to call them a failure. Like it or not, BMW and GM are going to buy them and tear them apart to make their own. Volvo is still ahead of the curve on safety, and I'd care to argue that they're ahead on style in some occasions as well.
Click to expand...


Yes exactly. The 90's killed the Volvo. They were known for safety and there cars were very safe. A Volvo 240 Estate was the car to have in the 80's (Or so I hear) but the SUV took it's place. Now German sedans seem to be doing that. If Volvo was able to make a car that was a little less than the 3 series but a little nicer than an Accord and it was just as fast as the 3 series it would sell if advertised correctly. Volvo is just over shadowed by German cars..
 
I wouldn't say that they're overshadowed completely, after all, Volvo is still synonymous with the word "safety." Volvo just needs to decide what they want to do. No matter what, I don't think they'd ever actually compete with BMW or Mercedes. But at the same time, having them play ball with Honda and Toyota doesn't exactly play the bills either. Playing that middle ground is good for them, I think Subaru and Volkswagen play off of them nicely along with Saab and Acura. But as those brands know themselves, its a very narrow market.
 
TVC
If Volvo was able to make a car that was a little less than the 3 series but a little nicer than an Accord and it was just as fast as the 3 series it would sell if advertised correctly.
Click to expand...

You've actually just described exactly what Volvo do - build cars that are kind of "in between" the premium marques like M-B and BMW, but above standard marques like Honda, Toyota, Ford and in Europe companies like Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel, Renault, Fiat and so on. That said, Volvo like to see themselves as a premium marque (as do Saab). Their image has been improving (I remember their image was boosted massively in the UK in the mid-nineties by turning the 850 into a touring car racer) but as YSSMAN said, they haven't been given significant direction under Ford ownership.

It's basically exactly the same problem Saab have had under GM.
 
I really like it... front needs a bit of work, but profile is fabulous.
 
homeforsummer
You've actually just described exactly what Volvo do - build cars that are kind of "in between" the premium marques like M-B and BMW, but above standard marques like Honda, Toyota, Ford and in Europe companies like Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel, Renault, Fiat and so on. That said, Volvo like to see themselves as a premium marque (as do Saab). Their image has been improving (I remember their image was boosted massively in the UK in the mid-nineties by turning the 850 into a touring car racer) but as YSSMAN said, they haven't been given significant direction under Ford ownership.

It's basically exactly the same problem Saab have had under GM.
Click to expand...

Yeah but they are priced more like a 3 series but people don't have the same view on the Volvo as a 3 series. People still view Volvo's as a car that only old(er) people drive. A 3 series seems sporty but at the same time luxurious. The S40 doesn't seem sporty and doesn't seem as luxurious (which isn't really true).
 
Thats because they're viewed as quasi-luxury cars that are focused on safety, and nothing else. Its a very narrow market, and they've done a better job than Saab with staying on target. Well, as much as Ford would let them...

Still... Saab 9-3 > Volvo S60.

Just sayin'.
 
Prosthetic
Lots of people in my area buy Volvos because they're Volvos.
Click to expand...

That is the reason most people buy Volvos but a lot of people don't buy them because they can get a BMW or low end Mercedes instead. A lot of people care more about the brand than the actual car. (people buy the C-Class because they just want a Mercedes) I am sure a Volvo is just as nice as a C-Class though but people want to say "I drive a Mercedes" or "I drive a BMW" more than they want to say "I drive a Volvo"

What YSSMAN said is exactly correct.
 
It's here, guys!

Link to Autoblog

Autoblog
A company's image can be a burden and a blessing. Volvo, for example, remains keen on ditching its image for boxy, lackluster automobiles, but it's eager to capitalize on its reputation for safety. With its sale from Ford's empire looming on the horizon, the Swedish automaker has been hard at work to spruce up its image, and this is the latest result.

Though predictably toned down for public consumption, the production-ready Volvo S60 sedan bears close resemblance to the stunning S60 Concept that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show nearly a year ago. Gone are the suicide rear doors and the flashy panoramic roof, and the shape of the headlights have been toned down just a touch, but the coupe-like roofline and the aggressive overall styling stay.

On the safety front, the new S60 features a new Pedestrian Detection system that – you guessed it – detects pedestrians and brakes the car to a full stop from up to 30 mph if the driver fails to react.

The new sedan will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, with production slated to begin at Volvo's plant in Belgium early next summer. Once out on the road, the new S60 will be gunning for the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Acura TL and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, all of which comprise of the most competitive segments in the industry. In the meantime, Trollhattan has released a pair of images you can view in the gallery below and a short press release which we've posted after the jump. Thanks for the tips, everyone!
Click to expand...

volvos603112215.jpg
volvos603112115.jpg


It looks alright I think. The front end is just a bit much. It'd probably help if the front end looked a little bigger or if it looked a little less blended with the rest of the thing. Also the Chevy Impala/Lumina headlights don't help it too much.

But I like the look of the new XC60 whenever I see one on the road. So this thing will probably be pretty cool once we start seeing them. And it has to be pretty good, competing in one of the more competitive and valuable segments.
 
KillItWithFire.jpg



Seriously, however, I'm feeling a lot of "been here before styling". Maybe not for Volvo, but it has the feel of being cribbed from a plethora of vehciles, much like the Genesis Sedan. I'm seeing a lot of Malibu and TSX going on here. (Most notably, the TSX at the rear of the car.)

acura-tsx.jpg




Cheers,
Jetboy
 
Its not as offensive as it could have been, but I'd like to see it in something other than Orange Drink. White would probably look nice, especially if they do C30-like paint trim levels.
 
YSSMAN
Its not as offensive as it could have been, but I'd like to see it in something other than Orange Drink. White would probably look nice, especially if they do C30-like paint trim levels.
Click to expand...
White would be terrible because then you wouldn't be able to see all the lovely sculpting that makes it look like every other car designed within the last 2 years.
 
No. If that's not the R then the R will be killer.
 
I kinda like it, the nostril lights gotta go though. It looks alot better than the current S40/S80 atleast.

I'd like to see a R-version with AWD and the S80/XC90 V8 engine, something along the lines of Audi S4. I think that could turn out to be a very interesting family saloon :)
 
You people are crazy, it looks nothing like any of the cars you've posted. Who the hell nominated a Malibu?
 

Similar threads

ProjectWHaT
Volvo V60 and S60
Replies
18
Views
4K
Turbo
Turbo
eran0004
Volvo S60 Cross Country
Replies
7
Views
868
SlipZtrEm
SlipZtrEm
ProjectWHaT
BMW XM Concept
2
Replies
56
Views
7K
Keef
Keef
ProjectWHaT
2026 Jaguar four-door GT
Replies
29
Views
6K
ProjectWHaT
ProjectWHaT
K
Volvo’s 360c concept car is a fully autonomous bedroom on wheels
Replies
7
Views
1K
kikie
K

Latest Posts

Back