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Volvo to Show Crystal-Made Center Stack in Detroit

Swedish manufacturer Volvo partnered with glassworks Orrefors for the design of a new concept car that will feature a floating center stack entirely made of Orrefors crystal, the automaker announced in a press release. Although the first prototype will be unveiled at the Detroit International Auto Show in January 2009, Volvo already rolled out a photo showing the newly-designed interior.

"It almost looks like a waterfall from the instrument panel, flowing through the centre of the car," Volvo Cars design director Steve Mattin described the new center stack. "If you want to explore the full scope of Scandinavian design, Sweden's glassworks are a natural source of inspiration. Large glass areas are also very much part of modern Swedish architecture, creating the special, light transparency.”

The next-generation Volvo S60 is said to be the first Volvo model to incorporate crystal-made center stack, but in a lower proportion according to Swedish officials. Moreover, the fully crystal-made center stack will only be installed on a concept car to be exhibited in January at the Detroit Auto Show, with no production model currently planned.

"The full-size crystal piece in the concept car will not be a production feature. However, it does open up opportunities to use crystal on a smaller scale in the future. We'll have to see how our customers respond," Mattin commented.

According to Volvo's representatives, the new center stack was especially “focused on ergonomics and safety”, providing all functions straight to the right hand of the driver. “The controls used when you start and stop driving are a few centimeters from each other near the gear selector,” Steve Mattin concluded.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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