The changing face of Volvo

GMcL · Mar 4th, 2014, 08:43

I've seen lots of pictures and thought I'd reserve judgement until seeing a real car.

I was up in NL at the weekend where the V60 is a popular car and found myself having to look very hard to distinguish a Volvo from a Passat from the front view especially in the lighter metallic colours.

Anyone else notice the similarities or do I need too go to specsavers?

Westyman · Mar 4th, 2014, 09:00

Put all the regulations that cars have to meet into a computer and what comes out will always be pretty much the same.

GMcL · Mar 4th, 2014, 09:52

There's a bit more to it than that. Volvo S model previously had an eggcrate radiator grill, the V had chrome trimmed, straight vertical lines now they are identical.

It's the slight differences which make the brand identifiable.

pete7 · Mar 4th, 2014, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMcL

I've seen lots of pictures and thought I'd reserve judgement until seeing a real car.

I was up in NL at the weekend where the V60 is a popular car and found myself having to look very hard to distinguish a Volvo from a Passat from the front view especially in the lighter metallic colours.

Anyone else notice the similarities or do I need too go to specsavers?

Have loved cars since being an infant well over 60 years ago and recently have found that I was having to look at badges to distinguish between Ford/Mazda/Nissan/Renault/GM etc etc.

I virtually never had to do this "badge checking" until recently but design teams seem terrified of breaking too far from the current design trends in line, proportion and even details such as rear lighting. They all look alike!

I have been an advocate of good design, both functional and aesthetic, since the early 70's.

I must say that the recent Volvo products such as the C30 have been especially distinctive.

Of them all the V60 caught my attention when it was introduced around 3 years ago, and eventually took the plunge and ordered one a couple of weeks back.

I must say it is still very distinctive and dynamic, and stands out from the others, including the excellent, but rather stodgy, Passat.

Well done Volvo - still as distinctive as ever!

Pete

Mar 4th, 2014, 08:43	#1
GMcL 0's and 1's Last Online: May 16th, 2024 10:34 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: -	The changing face of Volvo I've seen lots of pictures and thought I'd reserve judgement until seeing a real car. I was up in NL at the weekend where the V60 is a popular car and found myself having to look very hard to distinguish a Volvo from a Passat from the front view especially in the lighter metallic colours. Anyone else notice the similarities or do I need too go to specsavers? __________________ 2011 Volvo S60 D3 R-design Premium - 2020 Focus ST estate automatic - 2020 KIA eSoul 150kW 64kwh EV Previous: 2005 Volvo S60 D5 Sport - 2017 Focus RS

Mar 4th, 2014, 09:00	#2
Westyman VOC Member Last Online: May 5th, 2024 20:57 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Derby	Put all the regulations that cars have to meet into a computer and what comes out will always be pretty much the same. __________________ 2014MY XC60 D5 SE Lux AWD Geartronic hauling a 2011MY Vanmaster Accolade And for more fun: 1972 MG B GT

Mar 4th, 2014, 09:52	#3
GMcL 0's and 1's Last Online: May 16th, 2024 10:34 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: -	There's a bit more to it than that. Volvo S model previously had an eggcrate radiator grill, the V had chrome trimmed, straight vertical lines now they are identical. It's the slight differences which make the brand identifiable. __________________ 2011 Volvo S60 D3 R-design Premium - 2020 Focus ST estate automatic - 2020 KIA eSoul 150kW 64kwh EV Previous: 2005 Volvo S60 D5 Sport - 2017 Focus RS Last edited by GMcL; Mar 4th, 2014 at 09:54.

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