What Is It?
Volvo 3CC Concept
What's Special About It?
Volvo's funky 3CC concept car wasn't born in Sweden, but in sunny California, a product of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center think tank. It's an attractive blend of swoopy lines and traditional Volvo styling, combined with an array of exciting new possibilities.
At nearly 154 inches long, 64 inches wide and 52 inches high, the 3CC's dimensions rival a two-passenger coupe, although it's actually a 2+1 which allows for one adult or two children to ride along as rear-seat passengers. The outer body is a bonded single-piece carbon shell with three transparent panels that offer an open-air feel. Entrance to the front and rear seats is aided by a floating dash panel that slides forward and out of the way when the swinging doors are released upward. There are no toggle switches to control stereo and climate functions, but instead the 3CC uses proximity sensors to activate systems when a finger reaches within 5 mm.
The 3CC uses a prototype electric powertrain with a layout that can be modified to accommodate a variety of other setups, including gas, diesel or hybrid. Lithium-ion cells, similar to those that power laptop computers, are nestled between two protective layers in the vehicle's floor. Volvo says the electric 3CC has a range of 180 miles and reaches zero to 62 mph in 10 seconds, with a top speed limited to 85 mph.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Plenty of concept vehicles are unveiled just prior to their corresponding production models, merely as an indicator of subtle new styling or to test market response to ho-hum new features. The Volvo 3CC is one of the exceptions — a funky, far-out idea that shows real-world promise for the future, especially since Volvo announced its intention to launch a car smaller than the S40. The new model, designated the C30, is expected to debut in 2006. — Kelly Toepke
Volvo 3CC Concept
What's Special About It?
Volvo's funky 3CC concept car wasn't born in Sweden, but in sunny California, a product of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center think tank. It's an attractive blend of swoopy lines and traditional Volvo styling, combined with an array of exciting new possibilities.
At nearly 154 inches long, 64 inches wide and 52 inches high, the 3CC's dimensions rival a two-passenger coupe, although it's actually a 2+1 which allows for one adult or two children to ride along as rear-seat passengers. The outer body is a bonded single-piece carbon shell with three transparent panels that offer an open-air feel. Entrance to the front and rear seats is aided by a floating dash panel that slides forward and out of the way when the swinging doors are released upward. There are no toggle switches to control stereo and climate functions, but instead the 3CC uses proximity sensors to activate systems when a finger reaches within 5 mm.
The 3CC uses a prototype electric powertrain with a layout that can be modified to accommodate a variety of other setups, including gas, diesel or hybrid. Lithium-ion cells, similar to those that power laptop computers, are nestled between two protective layers in the vehicle's floor. Volvo says the electric 3CC has a range of 180 miles and reaches zero to 62 mph in 10 seconds, with a top speed limited to 85 mph.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Plenty of concept vehicles are unveiled just prior to their corresponding production models, merely as an indicator of subtle new styling or to test market response to ho-hum new features. The Volvo 3CC is one of the exceptions — a funky, far-out idea that shows real-world promise for the future, especially since Volvo announced its intention to launch a car smaller than the S40. The new model, designated the C30, is expected to debut in 2006. — Kelly Toepke
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