IDEA of mine: Volvo Concept Car, built from the ground up Topic is solved

[CIK7]

This isn't a soon-to-be thing. I want lots of ideas, advice, and input and if/when this happens, credit will go to whom it is due. I don't want people berating/talking down/judging me in this. I do understand there would be a few companies and standards to deal with.
So here it is: Bringing a VOLVO CONCEPT CAR to life.
Here are my ideas:
-a 3,000lb wagon, not sedan as shown in the pic
-the A pillars shaped like the 93-98 P80
-A to post-C pillar side airbag sys like P2 but mechanical like the 93-98 P80 seats w/ cyl
-crumple zones on front of chassis made similar to the 850
-To have a custom Volvo-built aluminum mostly-mechanical (few electronics) engine.
-To have an easy-to-work on/modify sleeper TT (twin turbo) I4 engine boasting 500hp/700tq 'ish' with 30/40mpg city/hwy
-have a modern 2 cylinder shut-off system for fuel efficiency
-7 speed manual, reinforced for towing and AWD
-improved AWD sys, detachable driveshaft (similar to P80), made for moderate offroad conditions
-hydraulic sys to lift the car up to 12-14" for moderate offroad conditions (original height might be about 6")
-towing up to 5,000lb (XC90 rated @ 5,000lb)
-alternate between window motor and window rollup
-tailgate similar to XC90, but with rollable window similar to 1985 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser wagon
-either mounts for P80 Halo or LED pictured headlights. (Pictured far front fender lights deleted)
-93-98 P80 chassis seat mounts
-minimalist All-LED taillights, similar to P80 wagon but about 3 inches shorter, white rear foglight
-separate wood middle consoles, 1 fr 1r
-P2 style expanded storage in spare wheel well
-P2 style dual rear booster seats (I don't have kids, plan to)
-rear seat cushions fold into the foot space, seat backs fold down but slide down
-third row seat, similar to P80
-manual-lever front seats
-custom Volvo-built reinforced seats (with whiplash brackets), I would install the leather myself

[Clemens]

Interesting project, but I gues you´d need almost unlimited funds and great fab skills.
This is not going to be easy. This is not going to be fun!

[850 LPT]

Interesting idea!

But I would maybe rethink the notion of a 8-speed manual. Not sure how practical that would be.
I know that I would probably get confused all the time about which gear I'm in.

[BlackBart]

I think the VCC wagon concept had some good ideas and crisp lines. One thing I like is the distinct "hips" along the side and the greenhouse set back in some. That made it into the C30 shape. Without the funky headlights, some of the front end / hood / windshield shows signs of the previous S80 sedan. Some of the ideas made it into the P3 wagon shape.

8 manual is too many - you'll be furious but not fast.

Maybe you should contact Adam Nonis in Seattle, who can build anything. Atom Design & Development -
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... rters-quot

[CIK7]

Interesting idea!

But I would maybe rethink the notion of a 8-speed manual. Not sure how practical that would be.
I know that I would probably get confused all the time about which gear I'm in.

That is a good logical thought. Thank you!

[abscate]

8 manual is too many - you'll be furious but not fast.

+1000 points for winning the internet today, now go back to fixing calipers.

[CIK7]

I think the VCC wagon concept had some good ideas and crisp lines. One thing I like is the distinct "hips" along the side and the greenhouse set back in some. That made it into the C30 shape. Without the funky headlights, some of the front end / hood / windshield shows signs of the previous S80 sedan. Some of the ideas made it into the P3 wagon shape.

2008-13465-volvo-versatility-concept-car-vcc1.jpg

8 manual is too many - you'll be furious but not fast.

Maybe you should contact Adam Nonis in Seattle, who can build anything. Atom Design & Development -
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... rters-quot

In a typical older car, the manual would make better mpg than auto. But auto is more advanced now so they can put in 8 or 9 gears and manage the fuel. But my idea is that perhaps an 8 speed manual can have better gas mileage than an auto counterpart. I'm curious about 'furious but not fast'. What do you mean? Imo it could be more fun and make the engine more capable. And I do agree with your stance on the possible appearance of the S80.

[CIK7]

I think the VCC wagon concept had some good ideas and crisp lines. One thing I like is the distinct "hips" along the side and the greenhouse set back in some. That made it into the C30 shape. Without the funky headlights, some of the front end / hood / windshield shows signs of the previous S80 sedan. Some of the ideas made it into the P3 wagon shape.

2008-13465-volvo-versatility-concept-car-vcc1.jpg

8 manual is too many - you'll be furious but not fast.

Maybe you should contact Adam Nonis in Seattle, who can build anything. Atom Design & Development -
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... rters-quot

Not to do with my topic but in response to your sig, it seems you also love Volvo wagons. I like the 1953-1998 wagons. Other than the 245 being a little plain, the rest imo are stylish and awesome.

[BlackBart]

In a typical older car, the manual would make better mpg than auto. But auto is more advanced now so they can put in 8 or 9 gears and manage the fuel. But my idea is that perhaps an 8 speed manual can have better gas mileage than an auto counterpart. I'm curious about 'furious but not fast'. What do you mean? Imo it could be more fun and make the engine more capable. And I do agree with your stance on the possible appearance of the S80.

Just making a joke about a really bad movie involving way too much shifting for a normal car - apparently 20 speeds forward implied. I never saw it.

So, many gears are just like a racing bicycle - you want to keep the engine (you) in the peak torque band so the bicycle (or car) accelerates and climbs efficiently. A bike rider shifts constantly to keep the legs spinning at an optimal rpm. There are tiny steps in ratio in the rear cogs and no time lost in shifting.

IF your envisioned project car had a wide enough torque band, extra gears would not be needed - waste of time changing ratios while acceleration briefly stops each time. Giant American big blocks didn't need anything more than 4 speeds.

If your project car had enough torque and "legs" to continue pulling up the rpm scale, then yes, you could drop the rpm with additional overdrive gears (this is what they did with the new C8 Corvette), and improve the mileage at a given speed. The new Corvette does not need all those gears to go fast - it uses the lower ones to get to max speed quickly, then you can drop the rpm with overdrive ratios and the torque pulls it comfortably.


(The 240 is beautiful only because it is a pure "form follows function" design) The same person, Jan Wilsgaard, designed all the Volvos from the 122 through the 850. His motto was "Simple is beautiful." A Brit, Peter Horbury, designed the P2 line. His ECC concept in the early 90s steered Volvo form through the P2 and P3 era.

[callahanoffroad]

I'm sorry I clearly don't understand, are you going to design something and then ask Volvo to build it? Or are you going to build a car that looks like a Volvo? I'm not completely clear on the idea