THE Volvo XC60 Concept, which makes its world debut at the Detroit motor show next month, is a crossover vehicle aiming to combine the 4WD versatility of the larger XC90 with the sportiness of a coupe.
The newcomer, which will reach showrooms in a couple of years, is the first to reveal several design elements that will become characteristic of all future Volvos.
An enlarged version of the distinctive Volvo badge on the front grille and the new angled headlights will also be seen on Volvo's next generation of cars.
The XC60's tailgate is split and the lower part moves out and up over the upper part to allow smaller items to be loaded or just the top or the entire tailgate can be opened. In addition, to aid rearward visibility, a dark panel in the lower part of the tailgate is transparent from inside the car.
The futuristic interior of the XC60 features a development of Volvo's ultra-thin centre stack which is thinner, with a white i-Pod-inspired surface and is angled towards the driver.
Touch-sensitive buttons and controls are integrated flush into the surface while an invisible screen for the information and satellite navigation panel appears when it is switched on and is back-projected.
The sliding controls for the gear selector were inspired by those found on mixer-tables in recording studios.
Apart from these innovative design features the new XC60 is basically a five-seat version of the larger seven-seat XC90 and is due to reach UK showrooms early in 2009.
Volvo's design director Steve Mattin, says: "The XC60 features a number of innovations that indicate how our cars will look in a few years time. It is time to once and for all forget about boxy Volvos.
"Instead, we will make our Scandinavian design heritage more emotional and radiant by adding sculptured, exciting shapes and innovative features.
'With more expressive and emotive shapes, if you can recognise a Volvo from 50 metres today, I want to get to the point where you will instantly spot a Volvo from twice that distance in the future.'