Frankfurt motor show 2011 - Volvo Concept You

• Evolution of Concept Universe
• ‘Fastback’ design
• Luxury cabin

Volvo has revealed the Concept You concept car at today’s Frankfurt motor show.

The Concept You is an evolution of the Concept Universe that was unveiled at the Shanghai show in April. The Concept You has updated styling, including as a 'fastback' rear end - similar to the Audi A5 Sportback's – instead of a conventional saloon look.

Unlike the Universe, the You has a full interior, designed to show off Volvo's technological innovations and luxury aspirations for future models.

One of those includes the centre console, where the touch-screen is activated once the driver looks at it. The driver’s eyes are monitored by a hidden infra-red camera, which detects eye movement then prompts the console screen to turn on. A similar set-up is used for the system’s control mode, which detects hand movements. Different functions are available depending on who uses it – for example, the internet can be used only by the front passenger when the car’ moving.

The Alpine sound system uses some unreleased technology, too, which uses the air outside to optimize how the music is heard. Volvo says that weight has been saved by using ‘small, optimised’ units.

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The Concept You’s interior is packed with luxurious features. These include four individual leather seats and a wooden floor covered with hand-tufted wool carpet that’s firm in the front of the cabin and luxuriously soft in the rear.

Volvo says the Concept You ‘gives a good indication of what you can expect from our next large sedan’. That means the next S80 will be heavily influenced by the Concept You, both inside and out. Volvo may also launch a larger saloon, with one eye on the Chinese market.