Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue

By Phil McNamara

Motor Shows

30 October 2007 01:38

The lowdown: XC70 Surf Rescue

Volvo is adding a touch of Baywatch glamour to the XC70, with this Surf Rescue concept car. The jacked up, yellow and red rescue vehicle was unveiled at the world's biggest aftermarket show – SEMA in Las Vegas – which starts today (Tuesday 30 October). CAR is reporting live from the show, which establishes key automotive design trends. Today's must-have cues – big wheels, vibrant paint jobs and amazing graphics – have spread with SEMA's influence, and all three trends feature big time on the XC70 Surf Rescue. 'We took the production car and turned it up to 11,' concept design manager Larry Abele told CAR. Those red extended wheelarches harbour 20-inch wheels, six-spokers as on all XC Volvos. The body is raised by 125mm, to enable real-life David Hasselhoffs and Pamela Andersons to get to stricken surfers across tough terrain. A 3.2-litre six sending 235hp to all four wheels also helps. And to get chilled surfer dudes quickly out of its way, the designers stripped off the brightwork around the production car's driving lamps and rear reflectors, changing them for flashing blue LEDs.

Other visual tweaks include an enlarged skid plate which looks as if the XC70 is sticking out its tongue, while at the back the underbelly protector features twin integrated tailpipes. The designers took the optional side sill, embossed with the phrase Cross Country and embellished it in chrome – very bling. 'The XC70 is coming into the US market, and we wanted to do something to mark that,' Volvo design boss Steve Mattin told CAR. 'A Surf Rescue vehicle has a strong safety message which is very Volvo, but adds some vibrant new colours.' Flourescent yellow trim and the use of neoprene make for a funky cabin too. Neoprene is used to make wet suits, and the rubbery material adorns the seats. Volvo found a Californian surf shop that specialises in custom diving suits to help with the materials. The trim is joined up by complex crossover stitching - used on wet suits because it's water-proof. How's that for attention to detail.

By Phil McNamara