Why Volvo

Arnold Worldwide has partnered with EuroRSCG 4D to develop an integrated campaign to promote the introduction of the new Volvo S60 at the Geneva Auto Show. The theme, “The Naughty Volvo”, aims to build on the brand’s responsible reputation by showing it has a fun and adventurous side, too.

The campaign objective is to spark conversation about the new model among driving enthusiasts by demonstrating the S60’s driving dynamics, design and innovative technology. The campaign launches with a digital experience in March and will expand throughout the year to include TV, social marketing, press ads, experiential activity, outdoor and CRM elements.

The online campaign centers around three Naughty Volvo Films shot at Volvo’s proving grounds in Sweden. The digital experience allows consumers to engage with the films, which feature increasingly mischievous product demonstrations. Users will be able to turn up the films from levels one to three to increase the excitement of the product demonstration. The films can be accessed at www.naughty.volvocars.us.

Level One of the first film showcases The Naughty Volvo going through a product demonstration called Slalom. It shows the S60 undertaking a standard slalom test and finishes with the tagline, “Want it Naughty?” Level Two shows a naughtier looking S60 turning from standard orange to a hot red color completing the same course, but this time driving oh-so-close to delicate objects such as porcelain plates and a goldfish bowl which are precariously placed on top of the slalom cones. The end of Level Two asks the question, “Want it even naughtier?” Level Three shows the new S60 negotiating the same course, only this time driving backwards with expert precision. It ends with, “Not naughty enough? You tell us.”

At this point, users will be invited into a crowd-sourcing program where fans of the car are invited to submit ideas on how to create a Level Four experience, the most adventurous and mischievous of the product demos. The winning ideas will be produced by Arnold and EuroRSCG 4D and released prior to the S60’s on-sale date later this year.

Enjoy!

The very first video footage of the all-new 2010 Volvo S60 will be released exclusively in social media. Volvo’s Facebook fans were the first to see it exclusively already in 2009. The video will then be released to the general public on YouTube as soon as the new year begins.

“We will ensure that this is the first car video on YouTube in 2010. It will be released on Volvo Car’s channel on YouTube a few seconds after we have entered the new year,” says Olle Axelson, Senior Vice President Public Affairs at Volvo Car Corporation.

The all-new Volvo S60 video will be released to the public on the YouTube channel VolvoCarsNews www.youtube.com/volvocarsnews a few seconds after midnight on Jan 1, 2010 CET (Central European Time).

See it Now on facebook:   All New Volvo S60 – First Footage

In our October 2009 post “Blink Artist first to see 2010 S60“,  we talked about blind artist Esref Armagan going to Volvo to paint the 2010 S60.  Well Esref has completed the painting (see below) and it’s up for sale on ebay.

Using his hands as sensors Esref Armagan felt his way round the all-new Volvo S60 with its dynamic sculpted form with his hands and then did the painting all the while he was documented on film. The resulting documentary Volvo S60 Blind Preview got an  overwhelming reception from Volvo fans around the world.  Please find the film below.

The 2010 Volvo s60 in pictures!!!!  The all-new Volvo S60 is being unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March next year. Production of the sporty sedan model will start in early summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

Photos copyright Volvo Car Corporation, SE-405 31 Gothenburg

Turkish artist Esref Armagan is renowned throughout the world for his unique feel for perspective and shape. He was the very first non-employee to be invited to Volvo Cars in Sweden to see and paint the still-secret new Volvo S60. Although the car will not be launched until 2010, Volvo is already revealing his interpretation on Facebook.

But there is an exciting twist to the story: Esref Armagan is blind.

Recently, sharp-eyed citizens in Copenhagen have had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the upcoming, sporty Volvo S60 – which won’t be introduced to the world until next year.

A disguised prototype of the new sedan model has been rolling through the streets of the Danish capital in order to test a groundbreaking new safety technology that can detect a pedestrian in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver doesn’t react in time, to avoid an accident.

The new technology – Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection – will be introduced together with the all-new Volvo S60 in 2010. Volvo Cars’ safety experts have been working with Pedestrian Detection technology for ten years and test cars have been rolling all over the world – most recently in the busy streets of Copenhagen.

“Factors like traffic behavior, road conditions and climate must be taken into account in the design of the final system. All told we have collected more than 300,000 miles of real-life data. We can also use the information from these traffic tests to conduct advanced computer simulations,” says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Adviser at Volvo Cars.

The next step – protecting the unprotected

The new safety functions in Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection represent the next stage in Volvo Cars’ continuous development of technology to detect risky situations and help the driver mitigate or avoid accidents by providing support in the decision-making process.

“The previous stages were developed to help the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles.

Now we are taking a giant step forward with a function that also boosts safety for unprotected road-users. What is more, we are advancing from fifty percent to full automatic braking power. To the best of our knowledge, none of our competitors have made such progress in this area,” explains Thomas Broberg. He adds:

“This technology helps us take an important step towards our long-term vision of designing cars that do not crash. Our aim for 2020 is that no-one should be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo.”

First a warning, then automatic braking

Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety consists of a new dual-mode radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera behind the inside rear-view mirror and a central control unit. The radar and camera continuously monitor the road in front of the car. The radar’s task is to detect objects and measure the distance to them. The camera determines what type of objects they are.

In an emergency situation, the driver is first alerted by an audible warning together with a flashing light in the windscreen’s head-up display. In order to prompt an immediate, intuitive reaction, the visual warning is designed to look like a brake light coming on. If the driver does not respond to the warning and the system assesses that a collision is imminent, the car’s brakes are applied with full braking power.

“Active brake deployment requires that the object is confirmed by both the radar and the camera. Thanks to state-of-the-art sensor technology, it is now possible to engage full braking power,” explains Thomas Broberg.

Images  Copyright Volvo Car Corporation

It looks like a regular Volvo C30 and it features the very same safety, comfort and space as the standard car. The difference is that it is powered solely by electricity, entirely without exhaust emissions, and has a range of up to 90 miles.

Volvo Cars’ ambitious electrification strategy has quickly produced concrete results. In addition to the market introduction of a plug-in hybrid in 2012, work is currently under way on evaluating the viability of an entirely electric-powered car known as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).

In 2009, a small number of prototype versions of the C30 BEV have been built and tested internally by Volvo. In addition to focusing on performance and safety, much of the focus is on integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car.

“The Volvo C30 is the first model we will try out with electric power. This car’s excellent properties in city traffic and its relatively low weight make it particularly suitable, since electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting,” says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

copyright Volvo Car Corporation, SE-405 31 Gothenburg

Fore!  Here is Volvo Cars’ first production car ever to run on electricity. What is more, it’s pretty capable off-road. The C70-inspired Volvo Golf Cart is recharged overnight and can be driven 37 miles on a single charge.

The Volvo Golf Cart admittedly does not embrace the same high-tech solutions as the forthcoming plug-in hybrid – and it has a totally different application area. It can carry players from one hole to another on the golf course.

The golf cart was developed by Swedish company Pro Green Nordic. It is the brainchild of Ulf Renner who first contacted Volvo Cars back in 2006. Since then, the company has travelled a long way to meet the demands from the design and marketing departments at Volvo Cars.

Lower weight with one seat

Most golf carts are two-seaters. Not the Volvo Golf Cart, which has just one seat. It is thus much lighter than its competitors are.

It is an exact scaled-down version of the C70. The color is Electric Silver. An accompanying tow-hook makes it possible to tow a small trailer.

In addition to golf courses, the cart can be used in recreation facilities and for light transport duties at shows and trade fairs, for instance.

The aim is to unveil the cart to the golfing public during the European leg of the Volvo World Match Play Championship which will be held at the Finca Cortesin course in Casares, Spain, on October 29 to November 1.

The biggest changes in the new Volvo C30 R-Design, which make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, are actually hidden beneath the skin. Despite the car’s extrovert body kit and design cues. Because it is the chassis and the steering that have been the main focus of attention. All with the aim of creating a sporty driving experience and a sophisticated feeling of comfort to match the very best.

C30 R-Design Package

The R-Design package allows customers the option of choosing between seven exterior body colors and offers a range of specially designed exterior and interior details.

Exterior:

* R-Design badge in the grille
* Grille and door mirror housings in special silk metal finish
* Body kit with front and rear spoilers, lower door trim molding and side-skirts color-matched to the rest of the body
* New 17-inch five-spoke Cratus aluminum wheels (18-inch optional)
* Tailgate spoiler
* Visible chrome-plated sports tailpipes (90 mm)

Interior:

* Upholstery in two color combination: cream-colored leather with sides in dark grey Flex-Tec, or off-black leather with edges in off-black (new)
* Embossed R-Design emblem in the front seats
* R-Design center stack and panel inserts
* Gear lever knob trimmed in leather and aluminum
* Sports pedals in aluminum, with rubber ribs
* Sports steering wheel trimmed in leather, with R-Design emblem
* Blue speedometer and rev counter gauges
* Textile floor mats with contrasting piping