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Sporty Volvo XC coupe for Detroit

DETROIT, USA - The second of Volvo’s three concept cars will be shows at the 2014 North American International Auto Show – the Concept XC Coupe.

Volvo said its new model is “inspired by the design of modern sports equipment” and demonstrates the safety capabilities of the automaker’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).

Image gallery: Volvo Concept XC Coupe

Volvo’s senior vice president of design Thomas Ingenlath said: “Those who love extreme sports freely seek new thrills and challenges. To ensure that they make it back in one piece, they prefer high-performance equipment that offers the ultimate sense of freedom and protection.”

The two-door, four-seat Concept XC Coupé has a strong connection with its sibling, the Concept Coupe, but sports 21” alloys, bolder wheel-arches and taller roofline. Its design is also more rugged reflecting its outdoor persona.

CLEVER ENGINEERING

Ingenlath said: “Concept XC Coupé also shows how clever engineering makes it possible for us to reinforce our world-leading safety without compromising design, size or weight.

"Thanks to the extensive use of high-strength boron steel and structures with new, ingenious decoupling, we can make SPA cars more compact and safer at the same time.”

INSPIRED BY SPORTS GEAR

Among the sources of inspiration for the design team is Swedish company POC, which develops protective gear for extreme sports athletes.

The model has traditional SUV elements, such as side mouldings and skid plates, though they are more integrated into the sleek design than concentional SUVs.

Much like Concept Coupe, the XC Coupe is characterised by its bonnet and the “floating” grille, flanked by headlights featuring new T-shaped DRL light guides. The rear light signature is also a distinctive element in the new design direction of Volvo Cars.

Ingenlath said: “Both concept cars show how we can shape our cars from now on. We add emotional value to the Volvo brand with the calm, confident beauty that is the hallmark of Scandinavian design.”

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