Volvo S90 Sculpture Sets Tone for Innovative Interiors Program

Unveiled at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, Volvo’s Excellence Concept is the first artwork of its kind: Based on the interior of the new S90 sedan—and now on display at Volvo’s Shanghai outpost in honor of the automobile’s actual release—the traveling, one-off sculpture vividly illustrates the variations possible within the roadster’s interior design.

Accurately representing the cabin of a S90 at 18-feet-long by 6.5-feet-wide, the Excellence Concept provides three distinct vignettes: a mobile working station with a fold-out work table and large multimedia screen for checking emails or video conferencing; a pure entertainment mode for movies and TV, and a lounge function with reclining seats, a beverage refrigerator, and heated foot support.

A blend of Scandinavian materials throughout includes solid linear walnut wood, blond leather, and jewellery detailing in satin metal. Starting at the rear, the Volvo Cars Design Team installed a center control panel for features such as massage functions and heated/cooled cup holders. The rear armrest comes complete with hand-cut crystal glasses from Swedish glassmaker Orrefors while a Bowers & Wilkens sound system showcases the S90’s 20 speakers with 1,400 Watts of power.

“The sculpture allowed Volvo to really show the content of the interior, which is normally difficult,” says Volvo’s vice president of interior design Robin Page, who spearheaded the concept. “One of the key elements is the removal of the front passenger seat—that was crucial to providing unrestricted forward visibility and the sense of space and light that this brings. It has an immediate and extremely calming effect.”

Page, who trained in both design engineering and fine arts at Coventry University, is a veteran of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. As head of design at the latter, he was responsible for designing the interiors for the Queen of England’s official limo.