The thing about Volvo is that as a brand, it has always been synonymous with safety and security. It’s a good thing to be proud of, but when going head to head with companies like BMW and Mercedes, Volvo seems far less luxurious and a little lacking in terms of design. It’s not that the interior of a modern Volvo is lacking, but more that it doesn’t feel as premium as the established German marques.
But perhaps the times are changing. Volvo is years ahead in terms of their safety applications and systems, and most manufacturers benefit from technology that Volvo has developed once the patents expired. Now is the time to focus on closing the gap with their rivals, and part of this is developing the interior- especially for their higher end models.
Volvo Cars has unveiled a new concept at the Shanghai Auto Show that takes executive in-car luxury to a new level. Labelled the Lounge Console, the concept offers busy chauffeur-driven business people the ultimate executive accessory – a compact and versatile solution to expanded storage and comfort. The Lounge Console replaces the front passenger seat, providing a wealth of functions and amenities.
Its a concept that focuses on the executive lifestyle, centering on chauffeured owners. Having performed ethnographic research to establish the unexpressed and unmet needs of people with a high-profile lifestyle, the designers at Volvo Cars looked at how such needs might be met in one combined offer. The objective of the concept was to display Volvo’s capability when it comes to developing a properly premium interior, catered for executive needs.
The Lounge Console incorporates features designed to enhance the in-car experience. Volvo Cars’ designers provide a large work table which opens to reveal an illuminated vanity mirror, including a storage tray for jewelry and personal accessories or make-up. The table rotates 90 degrees and simultaneously powers forward to display a large 17” media screen for a full in-car theater experience. Below the cushioned leg rest is an additional area for shoes. For added security Volvo Cars has included a lockable storage box. The removal of the front passenger seat allows for full forward vision creating a uniquely spacious environment.
