Volvo: Extreme Winter Transportation Adventure Concept Car

GENEVA, March 5 -- 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 Jukkasjarvi 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.

* Use the voice control to say "give me powder" and the PDA will surf the web to obtain information about where the best, untouched snow is.

* Point at a mountain and you will receive information about the slopes, weather conditions and snow quality.

* If you are caught in bad weather or an avalanche, the PDA will send an SOS via Volvo On Call. The GPS will supply the rescue team with your exact position.

* The system will also help you to find your way back to the car if the weather conditions get tough. It can also pre-warm the car for you.

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 more information about the ACC2, and an overview ``In the words of the Designers'' visit the following link on the Volvo Media Website: http://www.volvocars-pr.com/index.asp?mediaid=696&lang=1&flash=1

ACC2 (Adventure Concept Car 2) OVERVIEW

Geneva Auto Show- March 2002

In the Words of The Designers: Peter Horbury Chief Designer, Volvo Car Corporation

The ACC2 is the ultimate car for driving Cross Country.

This is a car that is designed for the most remote corners of the far north of Scandinavia...where many people might want to go...but few will ever make it.

...in short the ACC2 is a concept study for a high performance sports activity vehicle

The engine and chassis are the same as in the Volvo Performance Concept Cars...300 horsepower...400 Nm of torque... Continuously Controlled Chassis...and electronically controlled All-Wheel-Drive.

The unique "machine silver" colour emphasizes the dynamic look.

The flared wheel arches has a jet-engine inspired shape to accommodate the wider track...and give the car a capable stance.

The rally-inspired 18-inch wheels have studded tires, developed by Michelin. These so-called "run-flat" tires allow the driver to maintain control in the case of a sudden loss of tire pressure.

The interior of the 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.

It also includes future technology...when it comes to integration of new IT solutions.

In the Words of The Designers: Jonathan Dale Studio Chief Designer, Volvo Car Corporation

The ACC2 is a fast driving machine on the Autobahn...yet is capable of traversing the most remote mountains...while fully loaded with adventure gear.

What's so special with the interior?

Featuring four areas:

First The Feeling.

There are a lot of naked metal on the inside...the alloy gives you an ice-cold feeling...plus it signals safety and strong, hardwearing durability.

But all the areas you come to touch are warm and soft...we have used natural leather and wool to create a cosy, comfortable feeling...contrasting the cold metal in a very exciting way.

One example...the warm woollen floor carpets are made of the same material as the Ice Hotel bed hats...water resistant...yet soft to touch.

Secondly...Functional Orange.

We have used the orange colour to highlight functionality.

Where orange is present there is a function or an interaction between the car and the occupants.

This includes the touch buttons throughout the car...the door handles and important safety features...like the Whiplash Protection System indicator...and the Side Impact Protection bar in each seat.

The safety features have been made visible to emphasize Volvo's dedication to safety.

In most cars you don't see much more than the safety belt...but in the ACC2 this CrissCross harness... introduced last year in the Safety Concept Car...is far from the only visible safety feature.

You are also able to see the SIPS bar here...

The doors have safety bars as handgrips...they are part of the safety cage.

The airbag in the steering wheel is visible through frosted glass...and the same goes for the first aid kit... integrated in the front door.

...The Seat Design.

The ACC2 is a 2 + 2 seater... and the new seat design is one of its most distinctive features.

The thin contour is inspired both by Scandinavian wooden chairs and the dynamic seats in racing cars.

The fixed angle between the seat cushion...together with saddle inspired natural leather...and generous lumbar support...very ergonomic...very comfortable.

And very safe...the seat is designed to provide first class safety in all accidents...a must to be a Volvo.

The backrests in the rear can move forward to the front seats...creating a flat, efficient loading area.

...The Centre Console .

The centre console incorporates a whole range of high-tech features.

We call it a "utility belt"...with docking facilities for a range of gadgets...including a Personal Digital Assistant...PDA... camera...and digital video camcorder.

The portable PDA...has been developed in co-operation with Hewlett Packard...and it includes a telephone and a GPS which can be used On foot and On the road.

When you take the PDA out of the car it can send and receive information...this is really exciting.

Say "give me powder" and the PDA will surf the web to get you information about where the best, untouched snow is.

Point at a mountain and you get information about the slopes, weather conditions and snow quality.

If you are caught in an avalanche, the PDA will send an SOS ...and provide the rescue team with your exact position.

The system will even help you to find your way back to the car if the weather conditions get really bad.

Safely back in the car again...hook up you camcorder and watch your adventures on the screen in the console.

The "utility belt" also include MP3 and DVD players...thermos for hot drink...four glasses and orange cross country sunglasses. And we have made a special sleeping bag if you don't want to go home...

Some of this might sound complicated...even a little far fetched.

But all this technology is very useful...and organized and presented in a simple and functional fashion...very Scandinavian...very Volvo.

With this car Scandinavian form and function reaches its peak...again... the ACC2.