Volvo’s 300kW Coupé Concept: Out With Vanilla, In With Vigour

Volvo's new design director Thomas Ingenlath boldly declared this week that "the vanilla days are over", promising a sexy, smooth and strong new Swede. 

As though its mental S60 Polestar sedan were not enough to convince us of Volvo's intentions, the carmaker has unleashed a new concept - named simply Coupé - that hangs low and hits high.

This is a concept that pulls no punches. There's 298kW and 600Nm on tap, and it comes from an electric motor that's mated to Volvo's new 2.0 litre Drive-E petrol engine... that's also turbo- and super-charged.

But, just as importantly, Ingenlath says the Coupé concept's styling is a genuine preview of what's to come. Two more concepts are on the way, and hidden within is a glimpse of Volvo's next-generation production range. 

Vanilla days indeed.