Volvo Ocean Race Edition - inspired by the sea

07.03.2011 / Stockholm - Dubai - Cairo /

Volvo has been in the Middle East and Egypt for quite some time now. A few month ago the Volvo headquarter decided to exchange its old dealership with a new dealership, that is why the first professional appearance of Volvo Egypt took place just a few weeks ago at the Ahram Formula Motor Show, with the promising models Volvo S60 1.6, V60 1.6 and the S80 1.6.

In the UAE we find the situation of the Swedish car-maker quite different than in Egypt, as a lot of expatriates and UAE citizens have lots of positive experience with the Volvo cars as well as with the brand, which is mainly a result of the professional way-of-doing-business of Volvo Middle East. Even we as media consider the Volvo press and communication departments as some of the best and most professional in the Middle East.

And in order to make Volvo cars even more attractive for customers in the Middle East and worldwide, the tradition continues as, for the fourth time in its history, Volvo Cars' Special Vehicles Division launches a specially designed model range with a sail racing theme - the new Volvo Ocean Race edition.

The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's most grueling ocean adventure. It is consists of an extreme race which is composed of 9 legs. The Volvo Ocean Race starts in Alicante on October 29 and finishes in Galway, Ireland, on July 7, 2012, and will stop in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itaja?­ (Brazil), Miami (the USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France). Beside the main event, it will also be accompanied by exciting inshore races in all the ports.

"The cars in the Volvo Ocean Race Edition reflect all the values that our customers look for when they choose a car: an active lifestyle, adventure and passion, without compromising safety and environmental care," says Lennart Stegland, President of the Special Vehicles division at Volvo Cars.
These Volvo models can be distinguished by their distinguished exterior color options and interior trimmings.

Inside, the cabin is outfitted with leather seats, special floor mats, aluminum sill plates, and nautical-inspired tie-down equipment in the luggage compartment.

Customers can choose between two luxurious exterior colors, Volvo Ocean Blue II or Electric Silver, in conjunction with the sail-inspired leather upholstery in off-black and soft beige.
Other features are the uniquely designed aluminium wheels, chromed detailing and the Volvo Ocean Race emblem gleaming on the front fender.

Inside the car, the seats and door panels feature an added level of craftsmanship. The load cover displays the Volvo Ocean Race logo in print with stitching and sheet detailing, there are textile floor mats with clew-inspired details in aluminium and the tread plate in aluminium is embossed with the text "Volvo Ocean Race". In addition, the HMI (Human Machine Interface) start-up display shows the Volvo Ocean Race logo and text.

"There are many features that in a very subtle way make you think about boats and sailing. The aluminium decor is designed in such a way that the pattern looks like a yacht harbor full of sailing boat masts. The stitching on the upholstery traces its roots to sail-making. The aluminium detailing on the mats resembles clews. And the design of the unique wheels has been inspired by the movement of the ocean's waves," says Lennart Stegland.

The cars in the Volvo Ocean Race Edition series can be specified with the full range of engine alternatives available for each respective model and market.

According to Lennart Stegland, President of Volvo's Special Vehicles division, "There are many features that in a very subtle way make you think about boats and sailing. The aluminum decor is designed in such a way that the pattern looks like a yacht harbor full of sailing boat masts. The stitching on the upholstery traces its roots to sail-making. The aluminum detailing on the mats resembles clews. And the design of the unique wheels has been inspired by the movement of the ocean's waves."

Four Volvo Ocean Race Edition models - the Volvo V60, XC60, V70 and XC70 - were launched this week at the Geneva Motor Show (03.-13.03.2011)

The Ocean Race special editions will start arriving at dealerships in June and Volvo expects to sell approximately 7,500 units The four largest markets are expected to be Germany, Sweden, Great Britain and Italy. Other markets outside Europe that will be involved in the race will also sell the cars.

As UAE is one of the stations of the grueling race, we hope to see this special edition line hitting the streets in the Middle East soon, as, unlike some other markets like Egypt for example, Volvo has quite an educated fan-base with lots of potential in the UAE, due mainly to the consumer-friendly and very modern Volvo showrooms in Dubai and also due to the excellent media work of Volvo Middle East and its PR and communication agency.

Let us hope that Volvo Egypt will follow that successful path soon.

AE