Revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show could be the basis for Volvo’s next big car. Picking up where the Concept Universe left off, the latest Concept You shares a similar philosophy that created the Universe earlier in the year. On the outside, there is still the shapely and seductive coupe styled four door body, but on the inside is a full, production-level interior.
“The new Concept You roofline stretches all the way back to the tail lamps – creating that dynamic fastback look that is very much in vogue among European car buyers at the moment,” says Peter Horbury, Vice President Design at the Volvo Car Corporation. The concept is still all Volvo as the face of the You holds small, LED headlamps that put a massive emphasis upon the trademark grille. It is the profile where the You and Universe differ as the latest is much sleeker and the continuous roof is almost a tribute to the four door Aston Martin, the Rapide. Large, 21 inch wheels fill the fenders just right and make the You appear lower than it actually is. And just to be the epitome of class and elegance, suicide doors are present.
Once those doors are opened is where the You truly shines. The purpose behind the interior was to create the ultimate intuitive vehicle and thus making the owner’s manual obsolete. Touch screens have replaced many buttons to keep things uncluttered. Inside, there are four main areas: “a digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM), a head-up display on the windscreen, a touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console and a touch-screen between the two individual rear seats.” Other technologies riddle the You as the touch screen in the upper part of the centre console only turns on when the driver looks at it. A hidden infrared camera detects eye movement, trigger the screen’s power. Another motion sensors triggers as a hand approaches the Infotainment Controller. The system is able to determine whether or not the request is coming from the driver or the passenger, so certain programs can be allowed or limited. “Certain functions, such as surfing the Web, are only accessible from the passenger side while the car is rolling. The technology knows who is the present operator and adapts itself automatically,” said Horbury.
Source: Volvo
