What Women Want

This years Geneva motor show showed concepts more powerful than ever before, theoretically breaking acceleration and top speed records while wowing enthusiasts to dizzying levels of over-stimulation. The show also featured a bevy of lavishly appointed luxury cars and go-anywhere sport utilities. In all the attention grabbing excitement it might almost be possible to completely overlook Volvos latest teaser.

But the YCC (Your Concept Car) is pretty special on its own. After all, when was the last time a car was initiated, designed and engineered by a group of women? The answer is never, which is a ridiculous notion when the influence of the female sex is factored into a familys purchasing process, let alone the buying habits of an ever increasing demographic of professional women

When was the last time a car was initiated, designed and engineered by a group of women? (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

In real terms Volvo sells more cars to women than men in North America, 54 percent to be exact. Hence a concept car designed by women, for women. But the YCC is more than that, as men like cars that offer excellent visibility, that are easy to drive, deliver good expected durability, low maintenance and practical storage solutions. Truly, its a car for everyone.

The same

Just because the YCC was designed by women, it doesnt mean that it has to look girly. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

Being close in size to the S60, this coupe could be a replacement for the outgoing C70. But Volvo ensures all that the upcoming C50, the C70s true replacement, wont look like the YCC at all. The concepts overall shape is quite unique

Close to the size of the S60, the YCC is not quite a true coupe and then again not really a hatchback. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

The cars most radical departure from convention is a set of gullwing doors, that open up and out like a birds wings. Such doors were made legendary on the revered Mercedes-Benz 300SL coupe from the 1950s, and afterward copied on exotic sports cars over the years with the "Back to the Future" DeLorean DMC-12 being the most famous since. The YCCs metal and glass doors expand just 23.6 inches from the vehicle after electrically operated mechanisms extend

Probably the most radical element of the YCC has to be the set of gullwing doors. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

While the doors are convenient, reliability and ease of use would rate higher on the average consumers list of demands. Thats why new cars are approaching a state where they require less and less owner input. Sure, dealer servicing is still required, but as a rule new cars are (generally) less finicky than in years prior. Volvo wants to improve on this low-maintenance characteristic even

The "Chameleon" paint of the YCC is covered with a Teflon-like coating so dirt wont stick. (Photo: Volvo Cars of North America)

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