An Award-Winning Concept
The automotive industry seems to think that Volvo is on the right track with its 3CC concept. The car received praise when it was unveiled in October 2004 at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, the world's premiere forum on sustainable mobility. The purpose of the Challenge Bibendum is to evaluate technological advances in the field of environmentally friendly vehicles. At the 2004 challenge, Volvo's 3CC walked away with five gold medals and the overall prize for best prototype design.
 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars of North America, LLC The Volvo 3CC won the overall prize for best design at the 2004 Michelin Challenge Bibendum. |
The down side is that the cost of lithium-ion batteries makes the Volvo 3CC too expensive to be produced as a mass-market automobile. However, bits and pieces of the 3CC's technology and design may show up in other Volvo cars in the years ahead. In 2006, Volvo is planning the release of the C30, which, like the 3CC, is a small, three-door hatchback.
According to Volvo, the double-floor design of the 3CC can be adapted for other types of power trains, including gas, diesel, biogas and hybrid electric. So this design may show up again in Volvo concept cars or even in future production vehicles.
 Photo courtesy Volvo Cars of North America, LLC |
For more information on the Volvo 3CC, other Volvo concept cars and electric vehicles, check out the links on the following page.
