FUTURE CONCEPTS

Unveiled to the public for the first time at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum event in Shanghai last month, the Volvo 3CC concept car is designed to make a dynamic statement about Volvos we (or our children) are likely to be driving in future.

"With the Volvo 3CC, Volvo Cars is pioneering a new way of looking at mobility so future generations can enjoy the same freedoms the car has given my generation. We believe it is necessary to show new ways to reduce pollution and congestion," says Lars Erik Lundin, Vice President & General Manager of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Centre (VMCC) in California where the concept car was developed.

"We want to connect in a positive way with consumers so that they say ‘I want to be seen in this car’," Mr Lundin explains. "We want to add emotional value to people’s lives by offering an environmentally-compatible car that appeals to all the senses, and which people want to drive."

Just 3899 mm long, 1624 mm wide and 1321 mm high, the 3CC has dimensions similar to a classic 2-seater sportscar and yet manages a ‘2+1’ configuration, providing seating for two adults in the front and a unique rear seat solution for an additional adult or two children. This 3-seat configuration provides a unique experience with regards to the occupants' communication, unprecedented rear occupant's comfort and all-around visibility for all passengers.

Despite its compactness, the 3CC has been designed to feel spacious through organic lines, and light colors. Inside, the fixed eye plane ergonomics and low profile A-pillar create a sense of openness aided by three transparent panels in the roof. As the doors open by swinging upwards, a floating dash panel slides forward to ease ingress and egress. A unique sliding seat system also assists ingress and egress to the rear seat. The pedals also adjust for individual requirements.

But Volvo's aim was not just to make the 3CC look good – they also wanted to deliver on overall sustainable mobility goals by providing excellent efficiency. Volvo has achieved this objective through good aerodynamics on a compact footprint, lightweight body materials, and an electric powertrain. It has a high-strength steel space frame and composite sandwich floor panels for safety and lightweight. The outer body is a bonded one-piece carbonfibre shell. The resulting chassis rigidity and its innovative suspension also give the car great handling characteristics. And after meticulous wind tunnel tests, the shape has a drag coefficient which is 30% better than the latest S40 sedan.

"The double floor used to house the electric energy storage makes the concept future-proof in that the layout can be adapted for the most appropriate powertrain in the future, whether it be petrol, diesel, biogas, or hybrid electric," explains Ichiro Sugioka, Science Officer at VMCC in California. "In Shanghai, we demonstrated the electric powertrain, one of the most challenging to package into a vehicle, to highlight its potential where there is abundance of renewable energy that can be converted to electricity."

With a potential driving range of over 300 kms under certain driving conditions, the torque-to-weight ratio is roughly comparable to the powerful T5 model - but available from 0 - 3500 rpm. In typical driving conditions, about 20% of the energy can be recovered by regenerative braking.

Factory tests show that the 3CC can reach a maximum speed of 135 km/h and sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in approximately ten seconds – with zero emissions, of course. This performance is achieved using a drivetrain specifically designed for the 3CC, although it too is a prototype. The electric power comes from lithium-ion cells identical to those used in modern laptop computers that are packaged in the thin sandwich floor.

Front wheel driven, the 3CC has double wishbone front and rear suspension. The front suspension includes horizontally mounted adjustable coil over shocks that give a low bonnet line. The rear suspension includes vertically-mounted adjustable coil over shocks. Due to the vehicle's lightweight and the power of the regenerative electric braking, unassisted brakes provide good stopping power. The 3CC uses Michelin Pilot Sport 215/45 ZR18 tyres that are normally found on supercars for utmost performance.

The interior of the 3CC offers dynamic ergonomic positioning for both driver and front passenger. Unique solutions include replacing instrument panel toggles with proximity sensors that are activated by a finger as it gets to within 5 mm to adjust lights, climate, and audio system.

"Rather than refining existing cars and technologies for new markets, Volvo has listened, questioned and speculated about the future and developed this all-new concept," says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President of Brand, Product & Business Strategy. "We think the Volvo 3CC opens a door into that future and we will develop the concept further."

AWARD WINNER

At the 7th annual Michelin Challenge Bibendum held in Shanghai, the Volvo 3CC achieved the Gold standard for Acceleration, Braking, Energy Efficiency, Low CO2, and Regulated Emissions. It also took home the prestigious award for "Best Design."

Volvo Car Corporation sees this exciting vehicle, with its advanced materials, powertrain technology, and meticulous aerodynamics, as a tangible ‘demonstrator’ of a future where Volvo is heading.