For immediate release
Volvo Provides a Glimpse into the Future of Extreme Winter Transportation
Adventure Concept Car 2 debuts at Geneva Auto Show
Geneva, Switzerland (March 5, 2002) - The ACC2 challenged Volvo designers to push Cross Country boundaries - to be extreme.
Innovative Concept Study
The Volvo ACC2 (Adventure Concept Car) is a concept study that combines high-performance engineering with functionality of a sports activity vehicle - the ultimate, hard core outdoor winter adventure project. The unique "machine silver" color slashes boldly across snow bound roads seeking places where others fear to travel.
The ACC2 offers a glimpse of Volvo future technology with the integration of state-of-the-art Information Technology solutions.
Flared wheel arches boast jet turbine inspired alloy wheels with a wider track that hints at its on and off road do-all capabilities. And just in case the road less traveled is the venue of the day, lower body sides are protected by plastic door moldings.
With 18 inch studded tires developed by Michelin, these run-flat winter shoes hug the road and help maintain control should a sudden loss of air pressure occur.
The headlamps are connected with the vehicles GPS package. Depending on where the vehicle is, it can adjust the headlamps for left or right hand traffic conditions.
Cold, Warm and Smart
The interior of the Volvo ACC2 is inspired by the Swedish Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi and the famous Swiss Army Knife, a blend of cold surfaces, warm materials and smart functionality.
"The exposed steel and aluminium surfaces emphasize the feeling of a capable driving machine, while soft, natural materials are used to create a cosy, comfortable feeling," says interior designer Jonathan Dale.
Perhaps the ACC2's most eye-catching feature is the 2 + 2 seat configuration and its new seat design. The thin profile of the seat is inspired by both the rounded classic design of Scandinavian chairs and the dynamic shape of racing car seats.
The fixed angle between the seat cushion, together with saddle-inspired natural leather and generous lumbar support, provides maximum comfort. The backrests in the rear can move forward to the front seats to create a flat, efficient loading area.
The warm woollen floor carpets are made of the same material as the Swedish Ice Hotel ice bed cover! It's water resistant, yet still soft to touch. The center-console is flush with orange to increase the feeling of a warm, cosy environment. With colourful functionality and visible safety features, Orange is used to highlight the interaction between the car and its occupants. This includes the touch buttons throughout the car, the door handles and important safety features like the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) indicator and the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) bar in each seat.
In the ACC2, the criss-cross safety belt, which was introduced in the Safety Concept Car (SCC) last year, is by no means the only detectable safety feature. Emphasizing Volvo's state-of-the-art technology in this field, the safety features on board have been made highly visible.
In addition, the doors' safety bars are actually hand grips that promote the safety cage. The airbag in the steering wheel is visible through frosted glass as are the first-aid and toolbox kits, integrated into the front doors.
The center console - a "utility belt"
The center console of the ACC2 also houses a whole range of high-tech features. Best described as a "utility belt," the vehicle provides docking facilities for a range of electronics, including a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), camera and digital video camcorder.
The smart, portable PDA, which has been developed in co-operation with Hewlett Packard, includes a telephone and a GPS "On" system, which can be used On foot and On road.
A technology power wagon
When outside of the car, the PDA uses wireless technology to send and receive information. The technology opens up a wide range of exciting opportunities for the future.
Safely back in the car again, you can hook up your camcorder and watch your adventures on the rear-seat facing screen in the console. The "utility belt" also includes MP3 and DVD players, a thermos for hot drink, four glasses and, of course, orange sunglasses.
A Swedish snowmobile with 300 horsepower
Under the hood of the Volvo ACC2, there is a potent version of the Volvo five-cylinder, 2435 cc engine, producing 300 hp and no less than 295 ft. lbs. of torque, mated to a six-speed, compact, four-shaft semi-automatic gearbox developed. The "Up" and "Down" gear-shift buttons are integrated in the steering wheel, while the reverse button is positioned on the center console.
As an Innovative concept study, Volvo designers have come up with a product that is altogether cold, warm, and smart. With Quad seating, an array of Visible safety features, and State-of-the-art IT integration, the Volvo ACC2 is very much the Extreme Winter Transport for the future - very much, a Volvo.
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA), based in Irvine, CA, is a subsidiary of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenborg, Sweden. Volvo Cars celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2002.
VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The 2002 Volvo automobile line includes the sporty S60 and the new S60 AWD, the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the versatile V70 wagon and rugged Cross Country, C70 Coupe and convertible, and the compact S40 and V40 models.
For Release - March 5, 2002
V2002-08
For More Information, Contact:
Daniel Johnston - 800.970.0888
Public Affairs, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
For more information on the ACC2:
http://www.volvocars-pr.com/index.asp?mediaid=696&lang=1&flash=0