2005 S60 Exterior design 04.20 (image courtesy of Volvo Cars)
2005 S60 Exterior design 04.20 (image courtesy of Volvo Cars)
2005 S60, V70 & XC70
Learning from issues on the S80 programme previously, the design team, led by Steve Harper, ensured Design was in at the planning stage, to avoid any late ’shifts of opinion’.
The brief established that the visual graphic changes were deemed to be the most important, to guarantee the Customer awareness of the facelift, or ’refresh’ as it became known. The front, rear and side views all had to exhibit a noticeable difference, plus maintain the established S & V differentials, and create distinct trim level possibilities.
The exterior designers Steve Potter & Conny Bengtsson, were able to create significant form changes for the S60, V70 & XC70. But in the end the simplest changes around the skidplate for the XC proved to be the most effective.For the interior: Gunnar Johansson and Oskar Guth, concentrated on improving the quality and practicalities of the 3 cars cabins, all of which had their own characteristics. The most significant changes were made to the centre console, with more décor and stowage capability, with a new tunnel design, nicknamed ‘the American Dream’ due to its flexibility to cater for a wide variety of eating and drinking scenarios.