Video: Volvo S60 Sport Sedan Concept

One of the most exciting concept cars at the 2009 Detroit auto show which runs for two weeks from January 11, is the Volvo S60 Concept that provides a preview of the production model that will follow in 2010. If you hit the jump you can see the first official video of the compact sports sedan that includes the usual exterior shots as well as a short film of the S60's innovative crystal centre stack being created at Swedish glassworks Orrefors' workshop. For more details and high-resolution pictures of the Volvo S60 sport sedan concept click here to view our previous post.

Volvo S60 Sports Sedan Concept Revealed: 40 High-Res Pics and Details

These are the first images of the Volvo S60 Concept car which will be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in early January 2009. According to the Swedish automaker, the concept gives an indication of what the all-new Volvo S60 will look like when it's launched in 2010. Even though the production model will be less dramatic than the prototype, it is clear that the S60 will be a distinct proposition in the compact executive sedan segment. The Swedes wisely opted for a four-door coupe look for the S60 as it differentiates their proposal from established rivals such as the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes C-Class.

"The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we've been even more daring," says Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin. One of the concept's most prominent features but one that will not pass into production is the lack of a B-pillar and the rear parallelogram doors that open by pressing a button. The doors pop out and glide parallel with the side of the car until they reach their end position by the rear wheel.

Another interesting detail concerns the headlamps as the lights create a silhouette of two miniature Viking longboats sailing side by side, one for main beam and one for dipped beam.

With a four-seat layout, the S60 Concept's cabin features the firm's trademark floating center stack which was created out of handmade, solid Orrefors crystal. The speedometer is designed as a three-dimensional glass spiral with the low numbers appear closest to the eye and the figures appear to be increasingly distant as the driver accelerates. Overall, the interior boasts a fresh and relatively uncluttered styling.

The engine that Volvo has chosen for the S60 Concept is a new four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol unit which uses high-efficiency GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) technology producing an output of 180 HP. The Swedes claim that this engine in combination with a range of other technical measures makes it possible to cut carbon dioxide emissions to 119 g/km with an average consumption of just 5.0 l/100 km (47.0mpg US).

Volvo's first production car with GTDi technology will be introduced during the second half of 2009.

As a true Volvo, the S60 is also packed with several safety gadgets including a new technology that can detect a pedestrian who steps out into the path of the car automatically activating the car's full braking power if the driver does not respond to the danger. The technology, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection, will be introduced in the production S60.

Volvo S60 Sports Sedan Concept: First Official Photograph

Swedish automaker Volvo is offering us our first glimpse of the S60 Concept car ahead of the sports sedan's official debut at the Detroit Motor Show in early January 2009. The four-door-coupe concept's goal is to give us an indication of what the all-new 2010 Volvo S60 will look like when it's launched in the market early 2010. The first exterior picture that comes about a month after the release of an interior teaser photo shows that Volvo's designers came up with a pretty aggressive shape with a coupe-inspired silhouette and what appear to be suicide-rear-doors.

"The concept car's exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we've been even more daring � there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future," said Volvo Cars' design director, Steve Mattin. "The inspiration comes from the Swedish coastline's cliffs and seas," he added.

While the two teaser shots don't allow us to fully appreciate the vehicle's design, we must admit that the S60 Concept has certainly managed to capture our interest.

Expect the production version of the car to be based on the latest version of the Euro market Ford Mondeo with which it will share many engines including an array of diesel units, the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine and most likely, Ford's forthcoming 1.6-liter turbocharged four pots.