Among the huge list of Concept Cars taking to the revolving stage in Frankfurt this week is Volvo's Concept You. Put forward as a design study for the company's next large sedan, the You takes on an elongated "fastback profile" and crams some ambitious tech ideas into the cockpit while piling on the luxury trimmings, from suede roof lining all the way down to wooden floors covered in hand-tufted carpet.
"Concept You gives a good indication of what you can expect from our next large sedan. The blend of contemporary Scandinavian design, exquisite craftsmanship and intuitive technology will appeal to luxury car buyers all over the world," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.
Concept You aims for a more classic Volvo look than the Concept Universe shown earlier this year in Shanghai ... and drops the gold bullion finish for a decidedly quieter blue liquid metal paint job. Volvo says the 21-inch polished aluminum wheels, grille and headlamps have been inspired by the works of Danish design house Georg Jensen.
Inside there's touch screens aplenty - one in the upper part of the center console, one between the two individual rear seats and one on each of the aluminum and glass steering wheel paddles. Data can be "flipped" between front and rear screens and the driver's head-up display. Perhaps to avert sensory overload, the system allows the driver to trigger the front screen into action using eye movement captured on an infrared camera. There's also a "FreshAir" subwoofer based on "not yet released technology" from Alpine that uses lightweight components and the air outside the car to create the "ultimate listening experience" (we did say it was ambitious).
The seats are a combination of leather and suede with the backs finished in Italian suit fabric from Swedish fashion house Oscar Jacobson. Handcrafted walnut, Dinamica suede roof lining and the aforementioned hand-tufted Swedish wool carpet rounds-off the Scandinavian luxury feel.