We strap a HD camera to our Mobile Command Center and rage through the Detroit Auto Show.

The Japanese cowered near their Prii. The Germans attempted a peace offering of beer and currywurst. The Chinese tried a bribe of leaded pens. But even after all of these efforts, the Jalopnik Mobile Command Center could not be stopped. Follow us as we generally terrorize what's left of the Detroit Auto Show. We even almost mowed over Senator Corker.

Video Cred: Alex C. Conley

While sitting in the extremely uncomfortable camp-style folding chairs, Brilliance Auto executives rambled on and on about how happy and proud they were to be in Detroit. At one point they even suggested that Brilliance would soon come to the U.S. though we think its as likely as former Detroit mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, making a comeback run for Governor. They never actually talked about their products, rather impressed upon us soulless journalists how awesome they are. Though we disagree. Check out their Pininfarina-Giugaro, BMW sponsored, Porsche engineering-inspired, European 4-star crash test designed Brilliance Auto M1, M2, M3 and FRV. They're truly exciting.....Zzzzz.

Four Models Showed In Detroit
Brilliance Auto Seeking Development With Mutual Benefit and Win-Win
2009 North America International Auto Show was held ceremoniously in Detroit, Michigan, United States in Jan. 11th to 25th. Brilliance Auto Group, Chinese national brand main force, showed four models totally, including Brilliance M1, Brilliance M2, Brilliance M3, and Brilliance FRV. Brilliance Auto Group Vice President He Guohua and General Manager of Brilliance Jinbei International Sales Company Shan Long, etc. attended this activity together.
On the exhibition site, Brilliance brand four models forestalled its opponent by a show of strength, either fashionable, or gracious, or dynamic, attracting attention of many guests once appearing.M1, M2, and M3 equipped with Brilliance 1.8T engine, with its excellent power and stable handling, won unanimous appraisal of many guests on the exhibition site. Moreover, FRV, representing brand-new direction of Chinese automobile consumption, with its special appeal of “Big hatch-back”, attracted all people.
The reporter learned that, at present, Brilliance auto has models of Brilliance M1, Brilliance M2, Brilliance M3, Brilliance FRV, Brilliance Wagon, Jinbei Haise minibus, Jinbei Granse MPV etc., with products covering each and all markets of passenger vehicles. The domestic market sales volume of Brilliance brand has broke 280 thousand units. Haise, with sales volume of more than 800 thousand units, occupies half of the light bus market. Market sales volume of light trucks is the number four of the whole nation. Complete vehicle export will break 40 thousand units this year. While basing itself upon domestic market, with a view to global world, Brilliance auto actively carries out cooperation of international technology and market. At present, Export projects of Brilliance car to EU,Russia,Egypt etc. also constantly achieves material breakthrough. “3+1” international market export pattern of Brilliance auto in Europe, North America, Russia and other markets has primarily come into being.
The practice of China’s 30 years reform and opening proves that through active opening to outside, rapid development of Chinese auto industry was brought along. Rising Chinese auto enterprises more need to strengthen communication and intercourse with international auto circle in technical research and development, etc. and realize mutual benefit and win-win. Someone in charge of Brilliance Auto expressed that, it’s necessary for Brilliance Auto to participate in the global construction to promote market consumption standard, only in this way the purpose of mutual benefit and win-win can be realized. We hope that through this exhibition, we can strengthen the communication and intercourse with international auto circle, meanwhile, precious experience can be accumulated for development of Brilliance Auto.
Since 2007, Brilliance Auto has participated in many international auto exhibitions like North America auto exhibition, Paris auto exhibition, Genovese auto exhibition, Frankfurt auto exhibition, and Russia auto exhibition, etc. successively. On these international stages, Brilliance Auto opened a window for the world to know China, fully showed strength of Chinese automobile manufacturing standard. Just in the successful appearance in international auto exhibitions, Brilliance Auto further showed its confidence to actively participate in the global construction.

2010 Toyota Prius Introduction
The Toyota Prius first went on sale in 1997 for the Japanese market and quickly became the number one selling hybrid electric car a few short years after its initial debut. The first generation Prius was not quite the sales success of the second generation, though it was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The Prius is currently sold in over 40 countries, while the largest sales success has been in Japan and North America.

Exterior Front

The exterior of the prior model Prius was a conservative appliance and rightfully so. That conservative design helped Toyota gain major traction in the hybrid marketplace very early on in the game. While many believe the new model needed a new approach while maintaining its aerodynamic efficiency. But despite the debate, whether or not the profile shape of the Prius is any more aerodynamic than a similarly sized, non-wedged compact sedan, there is a reason behind this form language. Toyota has created the most instantly recognizable hybrid car on the market today and it wasn’t going to lose that image when designing the new car.
Exterior Rear

The rear of the 2010 Toyota Prius carries many of the same design cues of the existing model though Toyota has tidied up the aero efficiency dramatically. The corners are now tighter to prevent air turbulence as well as the upper hatch peak surface. A subtle under body diffuser has been added to aid in the little hybrid’s goal of a 50mpg rating. The LED tail lamps have also been reshaped and follow the concave surface section of the rear hatch.
Interior

The interior of the 2010 Toyota Prius has been heavily revised to resemble something more than just a hybrid appliance. The flowing lines of the IP upper surface mimic the overall feel of the exterior. The center HVAC vents are enhanced by a chrome vein that runs the length of the car. The center stack stands upright and is oriented toward the driver, giving an overall cockpit like feel. The electronic shift mechanism allows for a convenient lower storage bin and gives a sense of airiness to the cockpit. The four spoke steering wheel, again, follows some of the form language of the exterior and includes twin touch pad controls for the media and driver information systems. The digital gauges are once again located under a hood, high atop the IP surface and feature all necessary driver information.

In-Depth Design Dissection

Exterior Front

1. Defined corner directs airflow away from front surfaces.
2. Carefully sculpted surface directs airflow up and over the front wheel.
3. A-pillar spears into headlamp creating an aerodynamically sculpted boomerang-esque form.
4. Windshield is stepped from the A-pillar to direct airflow over the roof of the car.
5. Channels on roof center airflow as it travels over the car.
6. Shoulder mounted rear-view mirror prevents turbulence around the base of the A-pillar.
7. Feature line’s undercut surface directs airflow across the otherwise stiff bodyside.
8. Lower surface detail helps break up the tall featureless body side as well as deflecting airflow from the wheels.
9. Wide flat-faced five-spoke wheels are designed to minimize turbulence around wheel housing.

Exterior Rear

1. Sharp corner at the trailing edge is designed to direct air away from the rear of the car as well as preventing air turbulence buildup.
2. Carefully designed diffuser under the rear fascia releases air from underneath the car.
3. Door handle pockets aerodynamically surfaced to ease the flow of air around these turbulent areas.
4. LED tail lamps follow the curvature of the rear and lead into the rear decklid surfacing.
5. The upper peak of the hatch and the undercut of the rear surface meet in sharp peak for a clean release of airflow.
6. The overall height of the roof is the same as the previous model, but the peak has been moved 3.9 inches toward the rear.
7. Daylight opening retains a familiar design motif from the previous model and allows for maximum visibility.

Interior

1. An off-center, driver oriented multi-function information display provides important information to the driver including, but not limited to; speed, fuel and energy consumption.
2. Horizontal lines across the IP visually enhance the size of the otherwise small Prius.
3. Dual glovebox provides additional storage space.
4. Driver oriented center stack gives a sporty feel to an otherwise un-sporty ca.r
5. Drive-by-wire electronic shifter is set on top of a sunken Volvo-esque spaceball.
6. Front quarter windows add to the airiness of the cabin and eliminate the blindspot created by the shoulder mounted rear-view mirrors.
7. New four-spoke steering wheel features touch sensor controls and sweeping lower spokes that eschew exterior styling elements.
8. While not new to the 2010 Prius, the Power engine-start button adds to the electric appliance feel of the car.

Interior

1. Innovative storage location underneath the center stack is made possible by the electric drive-by-wire shift system.
2. Upright center stack provides a sporty feeling to the otherwise sedate interior appointments.
3. Door panel design mimics the upright feeling of the center stack design.

Conclusion
The 2010 Toyota Prius continues the design tradition of the previous generation model, but does so with a little less Maytag and a little more gusto. Nearly all of the styling changes that have been made are to help the aerodynamic efficiency and carry on the tradition of the world’s number one selling hybrid vehicle.

Just like every other Subaru, the Legacy Concept with asymmetric all-wheel-drive to a 3.6 liter, horizontally opposed boxer engine. This concept looks to stretch the definition of a Legacy by adding a sense of "Dynamism" which the current car lacks. It grows in size a bit as well to accomodate the "Modern Family" (translated, "tubby 'Mericans").


Inside the interior bristles with touch screens throughout the car. In fact, almost all of the knobs and buttons are replaced with control surfaces doing everything from telling you how awseome your all-wheel-drive is functioning to distributing the quad-zone climate control. The headrests at the back get their own integrated DVD plater but not to be left out, the driver gets an enormous custom LCD screen which provides 180 degrees of back-end view. If we leave all theses show car add-ons out of the equation, this car gives a solid look at what Subie buyers can expect from the next Legacy.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the Subaru Legacy, Subaru is proud to announce a concept model that suggests the direction of future Legacy Sedan design. The LEGACY CONCEPT has been developed to showcase the Legacy’s sporting capabilities and features Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system mated to a Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. Building on the Legacy model’s heritage of sportiness, style and reliability, the LEGACY CONCEPT is presented as a global mid-size sedan with interior space to fit four adults in comfort.

The concept of the design is based on "Presence". A strong front design combined with a solid yet expressive body and a dynamic cabin work to express a rugged sportiness in the vehicle. Styling that highlights all four wheel arches emphasizes the reliability and dynamism of symmetrical AWD. Further increasing this sense of presence is the strength achieved by the design lines that carve out a substantial mass as they flow from the hood, across the roof to the trunk, while the sharp body lines project a sense of strength. This sense is especially apparent at the front of the vehicle in a grille that incorporates a wing motif showing the Legacy’s Subaru brand identity, and in the headlamps characterized by their sharp and elegant design, achieved though the dual vertical-row layout of the multiple LED lamps. In addition, the fog lamps set at both edges together with the bumper lines express a sense of powerful presence and also serve to clearly emphasize a unique Subaru authority.

The door design features a sporty look while also providing high functionality through larger openings. Side Rear Vision Cameras are featured with a striking wedge shape to provide a sense of flow from the momentum of the A pillar lines.

The LEGACY CONCEPT is finished in a special High-Luster color, called “Ultimate Silver”. This color which serves to enhance the strong design of the vehicle functions to create an overwhelming sense of presence, as well as provides the Legacy with an image of performance.

The concept behind the interior design is "High Definition". A striking four-seat layout has been adopted in order to provide enough space to fit four adults in comfort and style. The combination of a roof design that provides a feeling of freedom with the expansive legroom delivers a vehicle that can be truly classified as a global mid-size sedan without losing its sporting pretensions. For the seats, Pearl White leather with a blue sheen has been adopted, while Black metallic leather has been used for the door trim to create a luxurious contrast with the instrument panel. The center panel features a large touch-panel display that concentrates the various functions to provide ease of use, while the adoption of a cylindrical-shaped design that extends vertically emphasizes feelings of strength and solidity in union with the exterior. A steering wheel and shift lever have been adopted to accentuate the sporty aspect that is elemental in the Legacy Sedan. The monitor of the Side Rear Vision Camera has been situated towards the front of the roof in order to maximize rear visibility. For interior entertainment, monitors with entertainment functions have been located in the center panel and rear surface of the center console, as well as in the rear of the front seat headrests in order to provide comfortable functionality as well a calm design that creates a relaxed ambiance for the four adult passengers.

The Legacy was introduced globally in 1989, produced in Japan and Lafayette, Indiana and since that date until November 2008 the total global production has exceeded 3.6 million vehicles making it Subaru's core model. During that period, the traditional core Subaru technology of the Horizontally-Opposed engine and Symmetrical AWD have served to further improve "driving", "turning" and "stopping", the basic elements of automotive performance, and also continuously evolve features for unparalleled handling, stability, and safety. This LEGACY CONCEPT incorporates the Legacy heritage while also serving as a concept model that provides an image of the new driving comfort and reliability that will continue to serve as a touchstone for Subaru.

Specifications:
Body size (Overall: Length x Width x Height): 188.8 x 71.7 x 59.0 inches
Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
Engine: 3.6-liter six-cylinder Horizontally-Opposed engine
Tire size: 225/45R19
Occupancy: Four persons

The Kia Soul'Ster is a nice looking, but ultimately useless concept car based on the well designed and totally functional four-door, segment-bending Kia Soul. Think of it as a smaller, front wheel drive, urban version of the Jeep Wrangler. The Soul'Ster gets the camino-treatment as the rear doors and roof are chopped off and a slanted roll top fabric roof with extremely limited head room. The styling is very common with the Soul, but the characteristics have been stretched or pinched for a more aggressive look with the concept.

It does get a set of rear seats which are cantilevered from the center console and a funky-fresh interior treatment the interior kids will like. It comes complete with all of todays expected in-car distractions like A set of beefier tires mounted on fancy one-off wheels finishes things off and squarely puts it into the California scenester target demo. They served us fish tacos and Corona after the press event was over, if that's any indication of where this concept is aimed at. Despite all that, what we have here is essentially a shrunken version of your friends old Ford Bronco with less space and none of the capabilities.

KIA MOTORS AMERICA SHOWCASES THE SOUL’STER CONCEPT AT
2009 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
Open-Air Concept Heats Up the Show

Distinctive design portrays style, practicality and efficiency
Kia Motors America design team delivers another high-style concept

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2009 – Bringing a sunny beach feeling into Cobo Center on a cold day in January, Kia Motors America (KMA) arrives at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with the Soul’ster open-air concept, a variation of the highly anticipated Soul, arriving at Kia Motors retailers this spring. With young buyers’ budgets in mind, the Soul’ster is an efficient front-drive car based on the production model Soul, recently introduced at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
“Soul’ster delivers something new, intriguing and relevant to today’s buyers – a fun, affordable convertible for active people who like to share good times with friends,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, KMA. “Defying categorization and providing utility and practicality, the Soul’ster exhibits distinctive design cues and satisfies multiple consumer needs.”

Stylin’ Soul’r Yellow Design
A two-door concept with roadster roots, the brightly colored Soul’r yellow Soul’ster projects a hip industrial look with screw borders, reminiscent of a rivet design found on a fighter jet. The windshield is shortened for a sportier and hunkered down appearance. A two-piece top enables passengers to expose the front and back seating areas independently, using elbow-grease technology. The roll bar serves a dual purpose and includes a place for the slider tracks, while providing protection not found in traditional convertibles.

With a unique face, Soul’ster has a tough but refined character. The toughness is expressed through details like the anodized skid-pad insert, which matches the fender vents, roll bar header and wheels.

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Soul’ster’s attitude incorporates lighting that shines through with an amber glow under the headlamps. The side vents, side-mirror turn signals, unique LED headlamps, fog and tail lamps incorporate blue shades.

The energetic, distinctive look carries from front to rear with dual chrome exhaust and polished aluminum exhaust tips featuring carbon-fiber interior sleeves. The large 19-inch, five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels perfect the Soul’ster’s appearance. Regardless of Soul’ster being viewed from front, back or side, it offers innovative perspectives derived from the original Soul.

Inside Out
Once inside, Soul’ster takes even more progressive variations from Soul beginning with the new four-passenger seating design, a diversion from Soul’s five-passenger arrangement, lending spacious versatility for long summer weekends. The surprisingly flexible Soul’ster provides real seating for two in the front with comfortable seating for two more adults in the back. Fold-flat passenger and rear seats combined with ample headroom make this the perfect car for social outings outdoors and on the beach with friends. Making basic features hot, its crank-up windows are a purposefully key interior design element as are the dashboard-integrated audio speakers.

Adding to the edgy design scheme, the non-floor-mounted cantilevered seats project the illusion of being suspended in space when viewed from the side allowing for increased rear legroom. Storage compartments below each of the fold-flat rear seats, offer room for myriad cargo needs. In addition to the spacious cargo area, dual storage compartments also can be found in the rear and underneath the cargo hold area.

All Revved Up
With young buyers in mind, Soul’ster offers an agile, smooth and spirited ride. As with its Soul cousin, Soul’ster’s can be made available with a myriad of engine choices depending upon each market’s needs. A 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, which produces approximately 120 horsepower. For those looking for a little more power, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available with either the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, producing approximately 140 horsepower. Fuel economy for both engines is estimated at 30 or more miles per gallon. Other markets might choose the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 124 horsepower or a 1.6-liter turbodiesel.
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2009 Product Line
Kia Motors America offers a dynamic and diverse product line of 11 vehicles to meet the needs of all lifestyles. The 2009 vehicle line features the functional Rondo CUV and award-winning Sedona minivan along with a wide variety of popular passenger cars, including the refined Amanti full size sedan, purposeful Optima mid size sedan, versatile and compact Spectra and Spectra5, and sporty yet fuel efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The vehicle line also features the all-new and affordably luxurious Borrego, rugged Sorento and value-packed Sportage SUVs. The Soul will further complement the lineup when it arrives in dealerships this spring.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. marketshare. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”

Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

The press event for the Subaru Legacy Concept isn't till later today, but the car is sitting out for all to see. The aggressive look walks away from the Legacy's current sleeper status and the crazy-shiny paint job doesn't help dissuade that. Inside it looks like the Legacy Concept is loaded up with tech with integrated head rest monitors and a huge all-LCD wide screen rear view monitor instead of a mirror. Tech for tech's sake, if you ask us. Stay here for the complete details later in the day.

The Kia Soul'ster Concept is based on the new 2009 Kia Soul and features a small rear cargo bed in place of the two rear doors and rear hatch of the production model. The Soul'ster concept delightfully reminds of us the days of Geo Trackers and Suzuki Samurais, but in a much funkier package. Typical of concepts, the production car's standard lighting package has been replaced with much nicer LED units and the ride height has been dramatically altered. Dubbed an urban lifestyle vehicle, the two-door Kia Soul'ster could eventually make it to production given the right amount of positive feedback.

[via automarket.ro]

The Kia Soulster concept we're expecting to see at next week's show is presumably a two-door version of the 2009 Kia Soul. No other information exists besides these glowing teasers.

We've already seen the four-door Kia Soul revealed in its entirety and, by the numbers, should offer competent value for your Financiapocalypse-strained dollars. Locked into most honorable battle with the niche-popular Scion xB, we'll soon see which crossover micro box toaster thing wins. Check back early next week for our live coverage of the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

While this teaser image doesn't reveal much about the Kia Soul Concept, our first guess to what it could be is a light duty pickup variant or possibly a delivery van with some high-tech gizmos on the inside. Others have speculated we'll see a Kia Soul coupe. Truthfully, we're really not sure what it could be. Kia is being pretty tight-lipped about this one so our guess is as good as yours, but we'll be sure to update you with new pictures as they become available.

[via Kia]

While the teaser image doesn’t show us much, we do know Subaru built the concept to celebrate the Legacy’s 20th anniversary and it's a preview of the design direction for the upcoming production Legacy that will show up in the near future. While certainly bold, we don’t expect the production version to be this aggressive and we question the winged grille that seems to share more than a little resemblance to the design of current Chevrolet grilles. Subaru took a very formal approach to the vertical stack-up of the front end graphics though the muscular fender flares and vertical lines running down from the hood give a sense of power and speed. While we don’t have a view of the rear, it’s safe to bet that it will follow the muscular formality of the front design. Powering the Legacy Concept is a 3.6L horizontally-opposed boxer engine and it will feature Subaru’s updated Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System.

We’ll update you as more information comes in. In the meantime, we’ve lightened up the teaser photo for you to see the Legacy Concept in better detail.

Subaru Press Release:

Cherry Hill, N.J., December 17, 2008 – Subaru of America, Inc., today announced that the Subaru LEGACY CONCEPT will debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit January 11th. The NAIAS is open to the public January 17 through 25, 2009.

Celebrating 20 years of the Legacy sedan, the LEGACY CONCEPT showcases the direction of future Legacy sedan design. The exterior highlights the sportiness and dynamism befitting a car powered by a 3.6-liter Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. A distinctive front fascia and flared wheel arches establish a powerful road presence and hint at the exceptional handling promised by the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and low center of gravity. The interior embodies modern, high-tech architecture while delivering a comfortable environment for occupants.

The Subaru Legacy series was first introduced in 1989 and next year it will celebrate its 20th anniversary of the start of production. Manufactured in Gunma, Japan and Lafayette, Indiana USA, global production has exceeded 3.6 million units.* The United States accounts for 43-percent of the production volume. The model has been highly acclaimed as a core product of Subaru in the world due to its excellent driving performance, strong safety record and dependability provided by Subaru’s renowned Symmetrical AWD system with Horizontally-Opposed engines.

[via Subaru]

We just saw the first real images of the Volvo S60 concept set to be unveiled at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, but we weren't prepared for the door show it puts on in this video. Instead of functioning with a hinge and swinging open as doors on cars have been doing for over a century now, this S60 Concept apparently uses a double hinge which makes the doors translate back and rotate out. Let's focus on how much this makes the car look like some form of insect ready to take flight and forget for a moment that this layout would conveniently trap passengers when the car is anything but parallel parked. [via Youtube]

Created as a vision of the upcoming 2010 production sedan, the Volvo S60 Concept shows off some exciting new design features indicative of the future Volvo design language most recently shown on the 2009 XC60. No longer are Volvos designed to be utilitarian safety mobiles, they now wear aggressive yet contemporary forms and the 2009 Volvo S60 Concept is no exception.

The profile suggests a very coupe-like roofline reminiscent of the Mercedes CLS and VW Passat CC with a long hood and short rear deck with pronounced shoulders forming a double wave that runs the length of the car to the Viking longboat inspired, pointed headlamps. The trapezoidal grille is now larger and more pronounced while two LED ‘DNA’ lamps flank either side, emphasizing the vertical stance of the front design. The previously mentioned headlamps flow delicately down from the hood and form the leading lines into the lower air intake’s reverse trapezoidal forms.

Out back the S60 Concept continues the flowing nature with lines that walk you around the rear instead of ending abruptly and were said to be inspired by the “fast sweeps of the racing track.” The LED tail lamps follow the curvature of the rear shoulders and protrude gently off the rear body work. A retractable diffuser below adjusts with vehicle speed, giving the S60 Concept better aerodynamics and presumably better fuel economy.

The interior of the Volvo S60 Concept was previewed last month and is said to preview future Volvo interior design trends. In concept form the S60 is positioned as a 4-seater, though we expect the production model will lose the twin rear buckets in favor of a rear bench capable of seating 3. The interior lines of the concept will likely translate loosely to the production car, but the rest of the show car concept features will not. Notable features of the S60 Concept are the lack of B-pillars, evidence of Volvo’s increasing interest in passenger safety and visibility; a gear shifter that sits in a horizontal position when the car is in automatic mode, but can be rotated vertically when the driver selects a manual shift mode and rear doors that open using a reverse hinge, allowing for greater ease of entry and a better view of the interior for us media types.

Volvo has given the S60 Concept an engine that will later make its debut in the production car. The 1.6-liter, high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine produces 180 hp and is aided by a system called Powershift, essentially a DSG twin-clutch transmission. Volvo equipped the new engine with Start/Stop technology; electric power assisted steering; ‘DRIVe-Mode’ which limits the number of electrical and mechanical units being run for added fuel savings and last, but not least, a grille shutter that acts as a wind-deflecting panel to reduce drag when there is less need for cooling air. All of these features combined should add up to a combined EPA rating of 47mpg while keeping CO2 emissions under 120g/km.

It wouldn’t be a Volvo without some advanced safety features and the S60 Concept is full of them. The standouts are an updated Active Cruise Control system and Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake system, both systems will make their debut on the 2010 production model. The Collision Warning system uses a camera, radar and a control unit to virtually eliminate all low-speed pedestrian collisions at speeds under 12 mph and will also apply the brakes at full power in order to reduce the impact of an emergency collision when there is no driver input detected.

Our hope is that this isn’t all show car wiz bang material and that the majority of the features will show up in the 2010 S60 production car set to debut later this year. Until then, enjoy our gallery of the 2009 Volvo S60 Concept.

Volvo Press Release

An early Christmas present from Volvo Cars - a glimpse of the next-generation Volvo S60

A few days before Christmas, Volvo Cars treats the automotive world to an early unwrapping of a car that will shine bright in the streets for years to come. The Volvo S60 Concept gives the car world a glimpse of what the all-new Volvo S60 is going to look like when it arrives in 2010.

"The all-new S60 will be one of the strongest players in a segment where the competition is razor-sharp," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

The coupe-inspired lines that gave the original S60 its characteristic stance are even more pronounced in the next generation.

"The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise. The driving properties are better than in any previous Volvo. The car's technology will also help you to be a better and safer driver," says Stephen Odell.

The concept car reveals that the Volvo Cars design team is stepping up to the next level in the development of the products' DNA.’ "The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we've been even more daring - there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future in the slightly longer perspective," says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin.

Scandinavian inspiration and drama

The front of the S60 Concept naturally sports the enlarged iron mark in the trapezoidal grille. The grille itself has a somewhat new appearance with structured horizontal vanes adding refinement to its form. Two DNA lamps that flank the grill emphasise the vertical stance of the front and promote the bonnet's V-shape. The angled headlamps flow up into the strongly sculptural bonnet. Combined with the lower air intake's reverse trapezoidal shape, this gives the concept car a very expressive "face".

"Dynamic and with considerable character, but without appearing aggressive. It is packed with inspiration from Scandinavian design and from the Swedish coastline's cliffs and seas. A thrilling blend of drama and sensuality," says Steve Mattin.

Viking longboats in the headlamps

The concept car's headlamps unite classic Scandinavian influences with modern high-tech. In each of the headlamps, the lights create a sculpture creating the image of two miniature Viking longboats sailing side by side, one for main beam and one for dipped beam. When driving in the dark, the light is reflected from the concealed, upward-facing High Performance LED bulbs, projected ahead by the ships' filled sails.

Double wave and sensational doors

Viewed from the side, the concept car's slim coupe roofline and window graphics are accompanied by an entirely new lateral shoulder line, forming a gentle double wave. Stretching from the headlamps all the way to the tail, it adds emotional excitement and plays with the surface and its highlights.

Both the seven-spoke 20-inch wheels and the tread of the low-profile tyres have been specially designed. The bronze-painted brake callipers match the "Warm Liquid Copper" livery.

The unique rear parallelogram doors offer a spectacular show when they are opened and shut. Door opening is initiated by pressing on a button and the movement starts off in the traditional way. In the next phase, the forward section also swings out away from the car's body and the door glides parallel with the side of the car until it reaches its end position by the rear wheel.

Inspiration from the racing track

"In forthcoming models, you will see more and more of our "racetrack" design cues. The car's lines do not end abruptly but instead forge a continuous flow pattern inspired by the fast sweeps of the racing track. In the concept car, this is particularly visible at the rear," says Steve Mattin.

The tail lamps, which follow the curve of the rear shoulders, are as advanced as the headlamps. When switched off, the lamp panels show no trace of the traditional red or yellow. But when activated, the position marker lights, brake lights and turn indicators come on in their correct colours. The solid glass panel is sectioned into horizontal "slices".

At the rear there is also a retractable diffuser that adjusts with vehicle speed to give better aerodynamic properties.

Interior indicates future design direction

With the interior of the Volvo S60 Concept, Volvo Cars' design director Steve Mattin and his team are displaying a variety of spectacular next-generation ideas.

"You could say that we are showing the road we would like to take in the future. This interior is without doubt the most exclusive we have ever created," says Steve Mattin.

The interior is packed with exciting details, all of which together create a Scandinavian fresh light feeling, full of visual harmony.

In the middle of the four-seater car glitters the jewel in the crown: a floating centre stack made out of handmade, solid Orrefors crystal. It floats like a gentle, calm wave from the instrument panel all the way to the rear seat backrest.

Driver-oriented environment

The entire driver's environment has been designed to provide total overview and convenient control. The combined instrument too has the centre stack's floating, almost weightless feel about it. The instrument is built up in several layers.

"The speedometer is designed as a three-dimensional glass spiral. The low numbers appear closest to the eye and the figures appear to be increasingly distant as you accelerate. The idea is that the speedometer should provide a visual reminder of the forward motion," explains Steve Mattin.

Slim, floating leather seats

The floating theme continues in the concept car's slim, lightweight contoured seats, made of soft Light Blond leather with contrasting stitching. The seats are attached to the centre console's lower section and inner sill, which means that they don't actually touch the floor. Both the seat belt and the armrest are integrated into the seat itself. The backrest's pony-tail slot, first featured in previous concept cars, has a new, slightly asymmetrical design.

"The aim is to create a pleasant living-room atmosphere with gentle, invisible transfers between the various surfaces. For instance, the dark, ecologically tanned saddle leather on the floor continues up on the lower part of the door," relates Steve Mattin.

The upper part of the doors is faced with genuine blond birch wood of the same colour as the Scandinavian coastline's salt- and sun-bleached wooden piers and driftwood. Two parallel slits create a wave-shaped protrusion whose upper section forms a comfortable leather armrest.

New technology detects pedestrians in the danger zone

The S60 Concept also presents a ground-breaking safety innovation that, among other things, can detect a pedestrian who steps out into the path of the car - and the car's full braking power is automatically activated if the driver does not respond to the danger.

The technology, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection, will be introduced in the all-new Volvo S60.

"Up until now, we have focused on helping the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles. Now we are taking a giant step forward with a system that also boosts safety for unprotected road-users. New sensor technology also makes it possible to advance from fifty percent to full automatic braking power. To our knowledge, none of our competitors have made such progress in this area," explains Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars.

Avoids collisions at speeds below 20 km/h

The car's speed is of considerable significance to the outcome of a collision with a pedestrian. If speed drops from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, the chance of a pedestrian's survival dramatically increases. "Our aim is that this new technology should help the driver avoid collisions with pedestrians at speeds below 20 km/h. If the car is being driven faster, the aim is to reduce the impact speed as much as possible. In most cases, we can reduce the collision force by about 75 percent," says Thomas Broberg.

This technology is also highly beneficial in the event of rear-end impacts with other vehicles. Studies indicate that half of all drivers who drive into another vehicle from behind do not brake prior to the collision. In such cases, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake can help entirely avoid a collision if the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is less than 25 km/h.

Visual warning on head-up display

In an emergency situation, the driver first gets an audible warning together with a flashing lightin the windscreen's head-up display. In order to prompt an immediate, intuitive reaction, the visual warning is designed to look like a brake light coming on in front. If the driver does not respond to the warning and the system assesses that a collision is imminent, the car's full braking power is activated automatically.

The main aim is still for the initial warning to be sufficient for the driver to brake or manoeuvre away from the hazard. Full automatic braking is an emergency measure that is only activated when the collision is imminent.

Upgraded Adaptive Cruise Control

Volvo Cars' Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has now been upgraded with a queue assist function. The radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control maintains the set time gap to the vehicle in front all the way down to standstill, making this comfort-enhancing system usable in slow-moving queues with repeated starting and stopping.

CO2-emissions at 119g/km

The engine that Volvo Cars has chosen for the Volvo S60 Concept is a four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol unit using high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology and producing 180 horsepower.

In a conventional petrol engine, fuel is injected into the inlet manifold ahead of the inlet valves. With direct injection, however, the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber under high pressure. The engine in combination with a range of other technical measures makes it possible to cut carbon dioxide emissions to 119 g/km (5.0 l/100 km).

Volvo Cars' first production car with GTDi technology will be introduced during the second half of 2009.

Electric power steering, stratified combustion and other measures

In addition to GTDi technology, the Volvo S60 Concept integrates the following technical features to bring CO2 emissions down to 119 g/km:

Stratified combustion. The combustion chamber is designed such that a mist consisting of the optimal blend of air and fuel is formed around the spark plug, surrounded in turn by pure air. This allows the engine to operate with a surplus of air, thus cutting fuel consumption.

Start/stop, a functionality that switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill.
Powershift. Two manual gearboxes work in parallel, each regulated by its own clutch.
EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering). In principle an "electric servo" where the conventional hydraulic pump has been replaced by an electric motor.
"DRIVe-Mode". Gives the driver the possibility of reducing fuel consumption via an "economy mode" that limits the function of a number of selected electrical or mechanical systems.
Grille shutter. A wind-deflecting panel that can be closed to reduce air drag when there is less need for cooling air.
Flat underbody panels.
The use of lightweight materials in the car body.

Volvo S60 Concept - featuring GTDi technology for lower CO2 emissions

The engine that Volvo Cars has chosen for the Volvo S60 Concept is a four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol unit using high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology and producing 180 horsepower.
This engine in combination with a range of other technical measures makes it possible to cut carbon dioxide emissions to 119 g/km (5.0 l/100 km).

In a conventional petrol engine, fuel is injected into the inlet manifold ahead of the inlet valves. With direct injection, however, the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber under high pressure.
This technology promotes better gas flow with optimised air/fuel mixture and greater resistance to uncontrolled combustion. The result is higher power and lower fuel consumption.

GTDi technology combined with turbocharging makes it possible to reduce engine displacement with maintained performance, but with about 20 percent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. "GTDi technology is an important CO2-cutting technology for petrol engines. In the S60 Concept we have also added a number of other developments that further reduce fuel consumption. Several of these features will make their way into our production models in the coming years," says Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain at Volvo Cars.

Volvo Cars' first production car with GTDi technology will be introduced during the second half of 2009.

Electric power steering, stratified combustion and other measures

In addition to GTDi technology, the Volvo S60 Concept integrates the following technical features to bring CO2 emissions down to 119 g/km:

Stratified combustion. The combustion chamber is designed such that a mist consisting of the optimal blend of air and fuel is formed around the spark plug, surrounded in turn by pure air. This allows the engine to operate with a surplus of air, thus cutting fuel consumption.
Start/stop, a function that switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill.
Powershift. Two manual gearboxes work in parallel, each regulated by its own clutch. Since there is no interruption in torque delivery, gearchanges are instantaneous and the efficiency rating is higher.
EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering). In principle an "electric servo" where the conventional hydraulic pump has been replaced by an electric motor linked directly to the steering system's gear rack.
"DRIVe-Mode". Gives the driver the possibility of reducing fuel consumption via an "economy mode" that limits the function of a number of selected electrical or mechanical systems. This may for instance include the air conditioning, cruise control or automatic transmission gearchanging settings.
Grille shutter. A wind-deflecting panel that can be closed to reduce air drag when there is less need for cooling air.
Flat underbody panels.
The use of lightweight materials in the car body.

The driver chooses

"Several of these solutions can deliver significant CO2 reductions in the future since they can be used throughout large sections of the model range. When it comes to "DRIVe-Mode", for instance, the driver can actively cut fuel consumption by reducing the function of certain comfort systems. The idea is that every owner can individually choose which systems he or she wants to limit," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

Groundbreaking Volvo technology helps drivers avoid accidents with pedestrians

Volvo Cars is now introducing the next generation of preventive safety technology.

Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection reacts when a pedestrian walks out in front of a car - and will activate the car's full braking power if the driver does not respond to the danger. This groundbreaking innovation is being presented in the Volvo S60 Concept, which is being unveiled for the first time at the Detroit Motor Show in early January 2009.

This safety innovation is the next step in Volvo Cars' continuous development of technologies that detect dangerous situations and that actively help the driver avoid an accident.

"The previous stages were developed to help the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles. Now we are taking a giant step forward with a feature that also boosts safety for unprotected road-users. What is more, we are now advancing from fifty percent to full automatic braking power. To our knowledge, none of our competitors have made such progress in this area," explains Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars. He adds:
"This technology helps us take an important step towards our long-term vision of designing cars that should not crash. Our aim for 2020 is that no one should be killed or injured in a Volvo car."

Accidents involving pedestrians common in urban traffic

Within the EU, the proportion of pedestrians figuring in overall traffic fatalities varies in between 10 and 25 percent depending on country.
In the EU countries' capital cities, 1,560 people died in road accidents in 2007. Of these, 43 percent were pedestrians.
The speed of the car involved in a collision with a pedestrian is of considerable significance to the outcome of the accident. Lowering the speed will help dramatically to reduce the risk of serious injury to the pedestrian. If speed drops from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, the chance of a pedestrian's survival dramatically increases.

Avoids collisions at speeds below 20 km/h

"Our aim is that this new technology should help the driver avoid collisions with pedestrians at speeds below 20 km/h. If the car is being driven faster, the aim is to reduce the impact speed as much as possible. In most cases, we can reduce the collision force by about 75 percent," says Thomas Broberg.
This technology is also highly beneficial in the event of rear-end impacts with other vehicles. Studies indicate that half of all drivers who drive into another vehicle from behind do not brake prior to the collision.
The main aim is still for the initial warning to be sufficient for the driver to brake or manoeuvre away from the hazard. Automatic braking is an emergency measure that is only activated when the collision is imminent.
In such cases, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake can help entirely avoid a collision if the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is less than 25 km/h.

Safer detection with state-of-the-art technology

Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection consists of a new, state-of-the-art dual-mode radar unit integrated into the car's grille, a camera behind the inside rear-view mirror and a central control unit.
The radar and camera continuously monitor the road in front of the car. The radar's task is to detect objects and measure the distance to them. The camera's function is to determine what type of objects they are. The function is programmed to respond to cars in front that are at a standstill or moving in the same direction.
Thanks to the state-of-the-art radar, which has a widened field of vision, the unit can also detect the moving pattern of a pedestrian.

"We've been working on this technology for ten years now. We have had test cars out on the roads for several years and we've driven in many different countries Factors like traffic scenarious, road conditions and climate should be considered in the design of the final system. We can also use the information from these tests to make advance computer simulations, to test and verify the system in different scenarios" says Thomas Broberg.

New technology permits full braking power

In an emergency situation, the driver first gets an audible warning together with a flashing light in the windscreen's head-up display. In order to prompt an immediate, intuitive reaction, the visual warning is designed to look like a brake light coming on in front. If the driver does not respond to the warning and the system assesses that a collision is imminent, the car's brakes are applied with full braking power.

"Active brake activation requires that the object is confirmed by both the radar and the camera. Thanks to the state-of-the-art sensors, it is now possible to engage full braking power. We are among the very first in the industry to achieve this," explains Thomas Broberg.
The system is built along the same principles as the human eye and, just like our own eyes, vision is impaired in the dark and in poor weather.

Upgraded Adaptive Cruise Control

Volvo Cars' Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has now been upgraded with a queue assist function. The radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control maintains the set time gap to the vehicle in front all the way down to standstill. Since the previous version was not active at speeds below 30 km/h, this means that this comfort-enhancing system becomes usable even in slow-moving queues with repeated starting and stopping.
It should be emphasised that the upgraded ACC has been developed to enable comfortable driving with an automatic gearbox in normal circumstances.

Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection and the upgraded Adaptive Cruise Control will be introduced in the all-new Volvo S60 in 2010.

[via Volvo]

FIRST IMAGE OF THE VOLVO S60 CONCEPT REVEALED

Here is the first glimpse of the Volvo S60 Concept car which will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in early January 2009, giving an indication of what the all-new Volvo S60 will look like when it's launched in 2010.

"We both can, and dare, to deliver more exciting and more dynamic designs while maintaining our lead position in safety. The concept car shows part of our future, it's a hint that the all-new S60 will be one of the strongest contenders in the CD premium segment," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO at Volvo Cars.

The first picture reveals the coupe-inspired silhouette that gave the original S60 its unique stance. It has now been further accentuated. "The concept car's design gives a visual promise of enthusiastic driving characteristics and I can assure you that the all-new S60 will deliver a sporty drive like no Volvo before," says Stephen Odell.

New shoulders resembling a double wave
The sleek coupe-like roof line is accompanied by entirely new shoulder contours, a gentle double wave from the headlamps at the front of the car to the tail lamps at the rear.

"The inspiration comes from the Swedish coastline's cliffs and seas," explains Volvo Cars' design director, Steve Mattin. He adds: "The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we've been even more daring – there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future."

Centre stack made of Orrefors crystal
Among the interior features is a floating centre stack made of hand-crafted Orrefors crystal. It is shaped in a graceful, transparent wave from the instrument panel all the way to the rear seat backrest. The crystal panel appears to float above the centre stack's ergonomically designed functionality and it rests gently on rubber pads.

"In a concept car the aim is to give your imagination a free rein and our iconic super-slim centre stack was the perfect object. Using pure crystal is a thrilling experiment. We may well see interior features in crystal-like materials in the future," says Steve Mattin.

[Source: Volvo]

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