Volvo Cars Declares the End of Clutter Inside the New XC40 Small SUV

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, August 24, 2017 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    Volvo Cars today declares an end to a problem faced daily by drivers around

the globe: a lack of suitable and functional storage space inside their car.

With its innovative approach inside the new XC40 small city SUV, set to be

launched in the coming weeks, Volvo Cars takes the lead in the small premium

SUV segment in terms of space, storage and all-round functionality.

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8163951-end-clutter-volvo-cars-XC40-small-SUV

    The highly anticipated XC40 from Volvo Cars will complete the company's SUV

line-up that also features the top-of-the-range large XC90 and the mid-sized

XC60.

    As part of the XC40's development phase, Volvo Cars' customer research team

spent considerable time investigating how city dwellers around the globe use

their car on a daily basis - and, more importantly, how they store their

belongings in their cars. Customers were also asked how they would like to see

the interiors of their cars improved.

    It turned out that different regions and cities produced remarkably similar

results, providing valuable input as Volvo's designers got to work on the

interior of the new XC40.

    "As we spoke to people about how and where they store the things they carry

with them daily, it was quite clear that most of today's cars are falling short

in this area. Phones slide around in the mid-console, takeaway bags are at

constant risk of falling over and people fumble behind the wheel as they try to

get service cards out of their wallets. We set out to solve these and many

other issues we encountered," says Louiza Atcheba, Model Brand Manager for the

40 Series at Volvo Cars.

    For instance, in order to provide better storage space in the doors of the

new XC40, Volvo designers chose a radical new approach. By moving speakers from

the door and developing a world-first, air-ventilated dashboard-mounted

sub-woofer, Volvo created enough storage in the door compartment for a laptop

and a tablet, or a couple of water bottles.

    "When we designed the tunnel the focus was not only on creating a nice

design, but also to ensure that cup-holders can be used as cup-holders and that

the design itself provides areas for coins, cards or charging cables. Another

focus area was to make a usable space for your phone which offers wireless

charging as well as USB ports," said Conny Ewe Blomme, Senior Design Manager at

Volvo Cars.

    A small fold-away hook has been added to the glove compartment, allowing

you to secure small shopping or take-away bags. Both front seats offer a

storage space under the seat, large enough to a mini tablet or other smaller

items.

    The XC40 also offers slots for credit and service cards that can be neatly

inserted into the dashboard, making them readily available when needed. In the

tunnel console, under the armrest, there is a large storage area with room for

a tissue box. A special, removable bin allows you to discard and quickly get

rid of waste.

    "In the trunk we have designed a smart floor system which can fold and

separate your luggage and allows you to use the full luggage space without

removing the floor from the car. The rear-seat electronic folding mechanism

gives you a flat loading floor at the touch of a button," says Conny Ewe Blomme.

    The XC40 includes a fold-up trunk divider with two hooks to help secure

shopping bags or other luggage, along with four load hooks that make loading

luggage a simple task. A private locking storage compartment has also been

added under the load floor.

    "A lot we have done with the XC40 is based on extensive consumer insight.

With the XC40, we declare the end of clutter, making sure that everything is

within arms-reach but also out of sight. It's about clearing the clutter so you

can clear your mind," concludes Louiza Atcheba.

    Contact:

    Volvo Cars Media Relations

    Phone: +46-31-596525

    media@volvocars.com

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(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/548200/Volvo_Unclutter_Your_Life.jpg )

SOURCE: Volvo Car Group