Swede Designs: Volvo to get more expressive design for future models
By Wim Oude Weernink | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE
AutoWeek | Published 02/23/06, 12:05 pm et

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Volvo’s future designs will be less restrained, says Steve Mattin, the former Mercedes-Benz designer who was named design director of the Swedish carmaker last May.

“Volvo design is still a bit restrained,” he said in an interview. “It still can be developed and become more expressive.”

Today’s Volvo design was initiated during the 1990s under Peter Horbury and Jose Diaz de la Vega, taking form with the S80. A vertical front end, soft nose, bold shoulder section and unique tail light graphics are typical Volvo design features of models designed since then, such as the S40 or S50.

“These details make Volvos identifiable – they represent a strong DNA of the brand,” said Mattin. “But I can still bring some new ones in.”

Getting bolder
He did not discuss in detail how he will make Volvo design bolder.

“I will first ask myself what to keep, what to change and what is relevant about Volvo design,” he said.

Mattin won’t change Volvo design overnight. “That was not the brief I set myself.”

Except for some color and trim aspects, Mattin did not contribute to the Volvo C30 lower-medium hatchback model that debuted as a concept at the Detroit auto show last month, .

“That was my only input,” he said. Simon Lamarr was responsible for the C30 exterior design.

Like all designers, Mattin has to find solutions for legislative constraints.

“Regulations are not always logical. In particular pedestrian protection legislation is not designer-friendly,” he said.

Waiting for the XC50
Volvo’s new design direction will gradually become more apparent although Mattin could not say on which models. Volvo sources say that his influence will be seen more in the proposed XC50 lower-medium SUV, which Volvo wants to build.

Mattin did not want to comment on that. But he said that communicating his design philosophy through future concept cars is obvious.

“Doing a show car will have a major impact on your design direction,” he said.

Mattin believes the biggest opportunities for the auto industry are in interior design.

“If you can separate black boxes from electric interfaces you can create better packaging for the interior,” he said. “But also repositioning propulsion systems to the wheels has enormous potential. That will come.”

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I had no idea there was an MB guy working over there now. Hopefully that'll help a bit, but until recently MB designs havent been to high on my list(new S-class, upcoming CL, and that god awful R-class)

I personally like the current S40 and similar C70, but if they want to improve their image they definitely need some more appealing designs :thumbup:

First picture looks alot like the last gen 3 series

I didn't have an issue with Volvo designs starting with the 850. I love them now, very good looking cars. Even their interiors are nice.
1. Can they get rid of the good guy, "I don't want to die" safety image
2. Can they fix quality? That is what hurts them tons.

I didn't have an issue with Volvo designs starting with the 850. I love them now, very good looking cars. Even their interiors are nice.
1. Can they get rid of the good guy, "I don't want to die" safety image
2. Can they fix quality? That is what hurts them tons.

Hit this one right on. The only argument I may make is that some of their interiors, or trim levels, are not what they should be in this class. Otherwise, it sure is nice to have them as a viable alternative in this price range. They still do seats about the best of anyone out there.

They need to eliminate all those square areas and make curves. My childhood of the 1980s would never be the same if it were not for all my friends driving 240s or 740s, because mommy and daddy though it was a safe car, but boy were they boxy SOBs.

Maybe someone can make their service departments and customer service more expressive, as well as building higher quality as 1SICK stated, but what more can you get out of a Ford these days anyway?

I think their good guy, safe car image is a good thing...

I totally agree with enigma354. Volvo IS safety; if they give that up they are flushing their identity as a brand. They have slowly evolved from a boxy, quirky safe-mobile into a more mainstream and desirable safe-mobile. If only they would make R models of the C70 and S80, I might actually give them more than a passing glance...

I agree safety first. I will also say too that their seats are the most comfy I've ever sat in and thats no lie.

In case anybody knows, is there any idea when the new S80 will be out and pricing? This could be a real alternative unless they go back to having tranny problems.

Volvo may have a safety reputation but when I owned Volvos years ago it was pretty evenly split between build quality, durability, and safety. I am sure they don't still do it but on the Volvo's I owned what looked like chrome trim was actually stainless steel. I don't think they can charge enough to still do that today. Pity.

In case anybody knows, is there any idea when the new S80 will be out and pricing? This could be a real alternative unless they go back to having tranny problems.

Volvo may have a safety reputation but when I owned Volvos years ago it was pretty evenly split between build quality, durability, and safety. I am sure they don't still do it but on the Volvo's I owned what looked like chrome trim was actually stainless steel. I don't think they can charge enough to still do that today. Pity.


The end of 2006. As far as I have witnessed a huge majority of problems came from the T6 model( the one with the GM tranny and the twin turbos). That model was a bust. The 5 speed geartronic and the 5 cylinder model was a lot better quality wise compared to the T6. The Yamaha V8 and 6 speed have been okay as well from what I witnessed before I left. With that said, you still wont get anywhere near the same quality as a Lexus. They still have that bright metallic paint in the R models(it might be even real metal in some spots but most of it is painted).