Volvo YCC 2004 – a car made for women

No, sexism - a set of prejudices and discrimination based on gender - is not about us. Just as it is impossible to convict the coldly reasonable, rational Swedes of such feelings. Again, male chauvinism is not our topic. But how far are the pragmatic Scandinavians from him, since they entrusted the ladies to develop the car.


We have a lot of respect for women behind the wheel, and we especially admire blondes. We bow to the great racers: Michelle Mouton, Sarah Fisher, the super cool Danica Patrick. But building cars is what you have in mind, girls? They answered in the affirmative to Volvo and entrusted them with the sacred. It turned out well, however.

The role of women in engineering

No offense to the fair sex, but women's contribution to the automotive industry is small. The ladies are excellent administrators, organize logistics well, and neatly keep accounts. The HR director is their strong point. But the history of the industry remembers little chief engineers and leading designers. There were none, to be honest.


There is an abundance of technical scientists among women. Ladies actively participated in improving cars, coming up with useful mechanisms and functions at the dawn of mechanical engineering. American Mary Anderson designed and patented windshield wipers (1903). Hollywood silent film star Florence Lawrence invented brake lights and turn signals (1913).

The invention of the salon stove (1893) is the work of Margaret A. Wilcox. This is, of course, hoary antiquity. Here's something more recent: engineer Lucille Piety in the 60s was unofficially called the designer of the most beautiful Chryslers. But she did not head departments or divisions, although she made a major contribution to the stylistic direction of the brand. Lucille was trusted to present new products on television, and all honor.

Continuing the theme of “the female face of the automotive industry”

The idea of ​​an all-female design team came to the GM directorate in the 50s. They gathered 10 talented ladies, the group was sarcastically nicknamed “Design Girls”. Candidates were selected from the Pratt Institute (architecture and design) and the Cranbrook Academy of Art.


In addition to creative talent, girls had to have a chiseled figure and a pretty face. The age limit did not exceed 30 years. Smart, beautiful women took part in television modeling shows.

The stern Bill Mitchell, the author of the masterpieces Buick Riviera, Cadillac Seville, and the magnificent Chevrolet Bel Air, dispersed the “girls.” I didn’t notice that retractable seat belts and many other productive little things were invented by these young coquettes. The latter, however, fled themselves, feeling neglected by their male colleagues.

Volvo YCC 2004 – “your concept car”

The Swedes repeated GM's experience in the 2000s. One can only guess what considerations the Volvo management based on when creating a women’s team to design a car from scratch. Perhaps because the choice of a new family car depends 70% on your mother’s word. Or another figure: of all Volvos in America, 54% belong to the weaker half. Is it possible to neglect the wishes of such an audience?

But we strongly suspect that the women’s team is a clever marketing ploy, a means of attracting attention to the brand. Be that as it may, in 2002, 9 talented ladies and ladies were attracted to Gothenburg and entrusted with creating the car. The kind that every woman dreams of. A car convenient for girls, meeting their whims and requirements.


Girls roll up their sleeves and let's draw. The project was called YCC - “your concept car.” The car was ready for the Geneva Shows in 2004. The show took place on March 8, International Women's Day, which the Swedes beat favorably. But simply, they pricked the men: so, they say, they are forced to make gifts for themselves. But the meeting between the car and its “mothers” was more than warm.

“From a female point of view”: YCC exterior features

The girls decided that the engine compartment filling should be tightly hidden, since women still don’t understand anything about engines. You don’t understand, there’s no point in going there. Therefore, only a service station mechanic can open the hood in the YCC with a special key. Well, so that there would be a need to look there less often, we worked hard on the reliability of the device.


We have achieved it: even the engine oil needs to be changed after 50 thousand km. Great approach, Miss (married Swedish woman)! Moreover, the car will send a signal to the appropriate service station: I’m going on a visit. The same goes for brake pads.

The doors, which open automatically from the key fob, are made in the “gull wing” type. So that the owner, upon approaching, does not bother turning the key in the lock or pulling the handle. After all, most likely, the hostess is loaded with bags of provisions or something else.

When the door goes up, the threshold folds down. At the same time, the side supports of the seats are lowered. The seats are in the lowest and rearmost positions. It is very convenient for the driver and passengers to sit in a 4-seater car. When the crew is seated, the doors close, the sides and the car seats themselves fall into place. Bravo, Fru!


The Swedish ladies installed RunFlat tires. This is a special type of tire with a strong sidewall, reinforcement in the frame, and a compound resistant to high temperatures. Another wide side ring. On such a wheel, even if you break it, you can easily travel a considerable distance to the tire shop. The engineers made a cool decision so as not to board the ramps and not to stand on the road in case of punctures. Well done, girls!

The team commissioned Maria Videl Christiansen to choose the paint color. She told how long she looked at the stones, the northern sea, the sand and mentally combined the shades. As a result, at the auto show, many saw a car the color of a frying pan with a non-stick coating. Puncture, Marusya! Did you look at the cold waters and wait for your husband with kitchen utensils in your hands?


The car needs refueling and washer fluid. Swedish feminists placed the filler necks next to each other: remember, there is no movement under the hood, and there is no need to run around the car.

The gas tank does not have a cap. We installed a roller ball valve so that the well-groomed handles do not get dirty. And the manicure will not be damaged when washed: the body panels are covered with a secret film on which dirt does not linger. Easy to care for.

What's in the cabin

Are you expecting a cockpit? No, this is a home living room, comfortable and cozy. The upholstery of the door cards and seats is removable. The girls selected 8 replacement combinations of different textures and colors. Change the covers according to your mood, weather, season, under a blouse or hair clip.


By the way, about hairstyles. Many drivers wear braids or ponytails. Where to put your ponytail when you're driving? Someone had a brilliant idea - through a special hole in the headrest! We won’t say whether the “invention” is patented. But for the hole in the active car safety system, respect to the beauties.

Next, the girls remembered that each of them usually brings a million little things into the salon. Everything needs to be placed neatly and rationally. Therefore, they removed the handbrake from the tunnel and the gear lever on the steering wheel. Now, with a light Swedish hand, this is common practice. And in the vacant space they placed a million drawers, boxes, and compartments.


I moved the panel - put a cosmetic bag, opened the lid - a place for a lipstick, lifted it... In short, umbrellas, wallets, combs, glasses, napkins and other necessities are always within reach. As, indeed, are the control devices. For smart and practical delights, high five to you, sweethearts.

It was they, the Swedes, realizing their own stupidity and helplessness when parking, who came up with parking sensors with sensors. Thank you, girls: today a cool driver proudly says that he has parking sensors. Well, since you can’t see the edges and don’t feel the dimensions, the Swedish controller will help you.

Motor, chassis

It's not boring here either. Under the hermetically sealed hood there is a 215-horsepower hybrid power plant with a built-in ISG starter-generator. This one turns off the engine when parked in traffic jams or at traffic lights. That is, it prevents unnecessary idling. Then it turns on when you press the accelerator.


ISG also provides additional torque at low speeds. For the engine, this means that the greatest power is available already when starting off. The engine is a 5-cylinder in-line PZEV brand.

Paired with the engine is a 6-speed Powershift transmission. You can select automatic mode or use the steering column controls to manually change gears. Dual wet clutch technology promises correct gearing at optimal rpm.

After the premiere, the car toured 20 cities around the world with impeccably smooth running. Everywhere, according to Griboyedov:



TV reporters and newspaper men accompanied the triumphant procession of the coupe, which the manufacturer did not intend to put into production.

The concept car, according to factory estimates, cost $3,5 million. A little expensive for a “non-stick frying pan”...