Volvo’s future designs will be less restrained, says Steve Mattin, the former Mercedes-Benz designer who was named design director of the Swedish carmaker last May.

“Volvo design is still a bit restrained,” he said in an interview. “It still can be developed and become more expressive.”

Today’s Volvo design was initiated during the 1990s under Peter Horbury and Jose Diaz de la Vega, taking form with the S80. A vertical front end, soft nose, bold shoulder section and unique tail light graphics are typical Volvo design features of models designed since then, such as the S40 or S50.

“These details make Volvos identifiable – they represent a strong DNA of the brand,” said Mattin. “But I can still bring some new ones in.”

Getting bolder
He did not discuss in detail how he will make Volvo design bolder.

“I will first ask myself what to keep, what to change and what is relevant about Volvo design,” he said.

Mattin won’t change Volvo design overnight. “That was not the brief I set myself.”

Except for some color and trim aspects, Mattin did not contribute to the Volvo C30 lower-medium hatchback model that debuted as a concept at the Detroit auto show last month, .

“That was my only input,” he said. Simon Lamarr was responsible for the C30 exterior design.

Like all designers, Mattin has to find solutions for legislative constraints.

“Regulations are not always logical. In particular pedestrian protection legislation is not designer-friendly,” he said.

Waiting for the XC50
Volvo’s new design direction will gradually become more apparent although Mattin could not say on which models. Volvo sources say that his influence will be seen more in the proposed XC50 lower-medium SUV, which Volvo wants to build.

Mattin did not want to comment on that. But he said that communicating his design philosophy through future concept cars is obvious.

“Doing a show car will have a major impact on your design direction,” he said.

Mattin believes the biggest opportunities for the auto industry are in interior design.

“If you can separate black boxes from electric interfaces you can create better packaging for the interior,” he said. “But also repositioning propulsion systems to the wheels has enormous potential. That will come.”