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Internal revolution: Car interiors are revised and revisited

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Khatir Soltani
Contrasts and lights
As a result, car interiors are being revised and revisited. After designing the interior of the Volvo XC90 SUV, Simon Lamarre supervised the entire design of the new C30 hatchback. According to him, a new trend is rising: contrasts.

Dashboard of the Volvo XC90.

"The upcoming years will be marked by lots of contrasts in order to further emphasize details of the dashboard or the seats, says the young designer. This will appeal to consumers, who are decidedly asking for more and more customization, both inside and outside their cars. To be honest, putting a stop to black and grey interiors was long overdue."

Contrasts will be created using not only different colors but also different shades and different lights. "We expect to see very bright interiors in which automakers are playing more freely with shadows and lights, explains Mr. Lamarre. For example, a strip of light can be integrated to an accent trim on the dashboard. Light will definitely play a major role in future cars."

Motifs
Motifs will be another huge trend. "That's right: motifs are coming back, he says with a big smile. You're not going to see checked fabric on the seats, however; rather, there will be small embroideries here and there -- all with the intent of creating new points of interest."

Center stack of the Volvo C30.

In fact, Mr. Lamarre adds, "that's what we did with the C30's console. We brushed it as if to form a wave. This tiny detail goes a long way toward enhancing the finish and creating a distinct atmosphere."
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada