I like the styling of our XC60 for the most part. Not boxy, not too big, not a lot of chrome.
But there's one thing that annoys me every time I look at it. I'm referring not only to the oddly massive Volvo badge, but also the large cruise control radar stuck in the grille.
Was that really the best job of concealment they could do? I've seen similar systems on other cars that were integrated in a way that made them far less obvious. It's especially odd given how detailed the rest of the car's exterior styling was done. Oh well, I guess it was an option so maybe it didn't get the same level of scrutiny as the lovely headlights.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
redliner says:
12:50 PM, 01/28/10
Saw an s80 the other day and noticed the same box in he grill.
rick8365 says:
01:02 PM, 01/28/10
Isn't that for their self stopping / accident avoidance feature? Or, does the radar cruise and the avoidance system use the same unit? Agreed it's ugly but maybe it has to be that size and less concealed to work right?
canadaphant says:
01:03 PM, 01/28/10
Since this also houses the 'presafe' system, I'm guessing part of the location selection was finding the best spot for those sensors. But yeah, the radar box on my car is much more discreet
hybris says:
02:04 PM, 01/28/10
I wouldn't mind it so much if they had another box on the other side of the grill.
This car lacks balance.
mzbamf says:
02:29 PM, 01/28/10
There have to be a lot of factors in terms of how those systems work that we don't know about. I won't make any assumptions about it
adavis2493 says:
03:00 PM, 01/28/10
I don't know if it's the same thing, but Mercedes does a good job of concealing it.
http://l.yimg.com/dv/izp/mercedes_benz_s_class_s63_amg_2009_exterior_grille.jpg
ocramidajzj says:
03:19 PM, 01/28/10
This car lacks balance.
DOn't you think that's a bit of overgeneralization for one detail? Or are you saying there are otehr aspects of the car beyond th box that "lacks balance"
ocramidajzj says:
03:31 PM, 01/28/10
There have to be a lot of factors in terms of how those systems work that we don't know about. I won't make any assumptions about it
+1 well said
redliner says:
03:42 PM, 01/28/10
Jaguar manages to make it completely invisible, built into the lower air dam.
mercedesfan says:
05:30 PM, 01/28/10
I completely agree, I have always thought that Volvo's was the most unusual and, frankly, lazy placement of a radar sensor out there.
I like the way a similar system is integrated on my car. It flanks the central grille-column and the horizontal slats are built into it so it's not noticeable from most angles. If you do happen to be right up in front of it, the glossly black finish makes it look more like a stylistic choice than a technological necessity.
With the size of that emblem I think Volvo could have fashioned something similar.
mercedesfan says:
05:32 PM, 01/28/10
@adavis2493
Just noticed your comment and realized I said the exact same thing. Nice picture illustrating the point.
speeder31 says:
06:31 PM, 01/28/10
IT'S NAAHHT A TUMAAAHHHH!
dino6 says:
03:18 PM, 01/29/10
Since safety is Volvo's calling card, maybe they do want people to notice it. Perhaps they're emphasizing the point that they have all these gizmos to protect you. Multimillion dollar yachts certainly don't try to hide their radar.