Volvo Concept Estate Unveiled at 2014 Geneva Motor Show
Volvo presented its Concept Estate at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, previewing the brand’s future design direction with a shooting brake body and advanced interior technology.
Volvo revealed the Concept Estate at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, completing its trio of design studies and offering the clearest indication yet of the brand’s future styling and interior direction. The Concept Estate follows the earlier Concept Coupe and Concept XC Coupe, rounding out a series that has set the tone for Volvo’s next generation of models.
The Concept Estate stands out with its shooting brake silhouette, a body style rarely seen in modern Volvos but one with clear historical links to the 1970s 1800 ES. The front end continues the themes introduced by the previous concepts, including a floating grille and T-shaped LED daytime running lights. Finished in a brown pearl shade, the car also features a chromed dual exhaust and 21-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, giving it a contemporary yet retro-inspired look.
Design and platform
Volvo’s design team has used the Concept Estate to signal a new era for the brand, combining classic cues with modern proportions. The shooting brake format delivers a low, wide stance, while the rear echoes the 1800 ES’s glass tailgate. The car sits on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which underpins the company’s next generation of models, starting with the forthcoming XC90.
The SPA platform is central to Volvo’s plans, allowing for more flexible packaging, improved safety structures and integration of new powertrains. While the Concept Estate itself is a one-off, the architecture will underpin production cars including the new XC90, which Volvo has confirmed will arrive later in 2014.
Interior technology and materials
Inside, the Concept Estate previews a new approach to Volvo interiors. The cabin features high-end tanned saddle leather, waxed wood trim and copper accents. The centre console is dominated by a tablet-style touchscreen that replaces most traditional controls, signalling a move towards more digital interfaces in future production models. Volvo has indicated that while the exact specification will be toned down, much of the interior layout and technology will appear in upcoming vehicles.
The Concept Estate’s unveiling in Geneva places Volvo alongside other manufacturers using the show to highlight design-led concepts and future technology. The car’s blend of heritage and modernity, both inside and out, underlines Volvo’s intention to move upmarket and attract design-conscious buyers.
For more on new models and concepts from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, see our coverage of theVolkswagen Polo faceliftandSuzuki Celerio debut.
