Now you've gone and done it, Volvo. Your sequel to the Volvo Concept Coupe and Volvo Concept XC Coupe is so stunning that I will be unable to think about anything else at work today. Set to debut in Geneva next week, this is the Volvo Concept Estate. And it is lovely.
Right off the bat, we can tell it's a modern update to the Volvo 1800ES shooting brake from the 1970s, a concept that updates that classic design for a new century. But it's so much more than that — as with Volvo's other two concepts, this previews the Swedish brand's new design language that will debut in the production 2015 Volvo XC90 set to debut this fall.
Besides the glass roof, low hood, new "floating grille", T-shaped headlamps and elongated body that makes the old C30 — not an unattractive car by any means — look like a turd, Volvo says the Concept Estate's most striking features are on the inside. They say the interior of this concept is a direct preview of what we'll get from new Volvos soon.
The buttons have been replaced by a huge Tesla Model S-like touch screen that Volvo swears is intuitive to use. I hope so. Most of them aren't. The touch screen's functions also interact seamlessly with the adaptive digital display in front of the driver. On the inside it's supposed to be "bright and cozy" like a Swedish living room, but I'll take their word for it because I've never been in one of those.
Presumably from its name, this car previews the designs of the next generation of Volvo wagons. If that's the case then I can't wait. I also hope they'll see fit to bring a two-door shooting brake version just like this to production as well. Some concepts deserve to see the light of day, and this one is a real winner.
Can't wait to see more at Geneva.