IRVINE, CA – Volvo Car Corp. has released the first official images of the XC60 Concept that will be unveiled at the upcoming North American International Auto Show, Jan. 7, 2007. “In recent years we have successfully emphasized the Scandinavian characteristics that base prestige on timeless, functional elegance. Now we’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally pumping up our cars’ visual volume,” says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin. “Down below, the unmistakable and capable XC muscles pump up the vehicle, giving it a purposeful stance with high ground clearance on large wheels. Above the waistline, the dashing lines trace the profile and sporty charisma of an elegant, sexy coupe,” noted Mattin. The XC60 Concept features Volvo’s iron mark embedded in the vehicle’s trapezoidal grille. It also features new angled positioning lights on both sides of the grille and 20-inch wheels. The front and rear skid-plates are integrated to provide a primarily a crossover feel with on-road properties and a sporty coupe-like appearance. Another solution is the dark panel in the lower part of the tailgate, which can be fully opened. The roof is also transparent, with dark-tinted glass attached on top of a Y-shaped bearing structure. The XC60 Concept’s interior features saddle leather seats. Buttons and controls are integrated into the surface and the “invisible” screen for information and navigation appears only when it is switched on, starting up with a pulsating sequence. The screen image is back projected, which makes the center stack one of the highlights of the interior, according to Mattin. The four rotary controls also come to life through the start-up sequence. All other buttons are touch-sensitive. In the XC60 Concept, all the seats have fully integrated seatbelts and head restraints and backrests in both the front and rear seats. “By turning his or her head, the driver can see all the way through his or her own seat, through the rear seat’s backrest and through the transparent panel at the lower corner of the tailgate. This promotes added safety in a car type whose height may otherwise limit rearward vision,” explained Mattin.