Volvo’s Concept Recharge points the way to an EV future, complete with Level 4 hands-off … [+]
Volvo Cars
Swedish automotive design is about to be redefined by Volvo’s Concept Recharge all-electric (EV) five-seat wagon – as will modern driver-assistance systems.
Volvo Cars is using the Concept Recharge, which it unveiled today, to give the brand a step-change in powertrains, in design and in sustainability, too. But it’s the Level 4 driver-assistance system that will stand out, enabling occupants to leave the car to drive itself, even in cities.
The Volvo Concept Recharge delivers an extraordinarily long wheelbase for its overall length as … [+]
Volvo Cars
The Concept Recharge is a taste of what is to come with Volvo’s Level 4 ambitions, with a Luminar-built LiDar sensor on the roof and a range of radar and camera sensors at all points of the concept.
Volvo plans to deliver what it will call Highway Assist to leapfrog Tesla’s Autopilot and Cadillac’s acclaimed Super Cruise and allow drivers to sleep or watch movies on highways as the car drives itself.
The Concept Recharge hints at the design future of Volvo’s XC40, XC60 and XC90 crossovers and SUVs. … [+]
Volvo Cars
The system has already been teased by Volvo’s senior vice president Henrik Green, who insisted earlier this year that the system would be Level 4 production ready before the end of 2021.
Level 4 is defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers as automation that can manage all driving operations in defined situations, without the safety net of human intervention.
No other automaker has a Level 3 car on sale today, much less Level 4, while Tesla’s Autopilot only qualifies as Level 2.
All future Volvo EVs will use the Concept Recharge’s flat passenger cell floor and floating dash … [+]
Volvo cars
With an interior designed around a 15-inch multimedia screen and, thanks to its battery packs, a flat floor, the Concept Recharge will redefine Volvo’s future EV design language inside and out, as well as its driver-assistance package.
With an extraordinarily large wheelbase for its overall size, the Concept Recharge has carved out a “less is more” design strategy for its planned second generation of EVs, which no longer have to compromise their platforms for combustion power as well.
The first full electric-only Volvo platform cars will all use flat floors, shorter overhangs and more interior space.
With a small screen for the instruments and a larger 15-inch screen for the multimedia system, the … [+]
Volvo Cars
“Our Concept Recharge represents a manifesto for the all-electric future of Volvo Cars, as well as a new type of vehicle,” the Volvo head of design, Robin Page, said.
“It displays new and modern proportions that go hand-in-hand with increased versatility and shows what technology can enable in terms of design.”
The focus has largely been on Volvo’s ideas of the future interior of its cars, but it also gives strong hints of the future of the EV replacements for the XC40, XC60 and XC90 SUVs and crossovers.
The “Thor’s Hammer” headlight design remains a signature, though the normal grille and its diagonal line have been replaced with a shield that contains the camera and radar systems vital to modern driver-assistance systems.
“Inside the Concept Recharge, we create a truly Scandinavian living room feeling,” Page said.
“The interior integrates our latest user experience technology with beautiful, sustainable and natural materials.
“Each part of the interior is like a piece of art and could stand alone as individual furniture in a room.”
The reverse-opening rear doors of the Volvo Concept Recharge are unlikely to reach production. … [+]
Volvo Cars
