Volvo Working on Luxury Limousine?

Now that Volvo stepped on the safe side and it's sure that the brand will survive under the new ownership, chief executives can start rethinking the company's product strategy supposed to bring Volvo back into the black. One of the first products to see daylight is a limousine that would help Volvo tackle Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse and BMW 7 Series, as drive.com.au reports, but officials at Geely and Volvo refused to comment on the matter.

It appears that Volvo is aiming to use the 2003 Versatility Concept Car (VCC) to design the limo, but intends to sell it at a lower price as compared to its competitors. As always, China's affordable way to build things will help Volvo pick a more affordable price which, in a battle against Merc and BMW, might be the main advantage.

Curiously, Volvo's scheduled development process for the VCC perfectly matches the Geely takeover, as the Swedish brand estimated back in 2003 that a final production model based on the concept might be ready in around 10 years.

"These technologies are not yet ready for production, but we are evaluating them with a ten year perspective," says Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain Engineering at Volvo Car Corporation, at that time. "New innovative engine and transmission technology makes this extremely low figure possible in a ten year perspective."

The concept was using a 2.6 liter in-line direct-injected six-cylinder turbocharged engine that generated 250 horsepower but, in Volvo's paradise, achieved a fuel consumption rating of just 6.5 l/100km (36 mpg).