What would happen if Volvo made an SUV in 1980?
The original Volvo 240 remains one of the most recognizable products in the company, due to its sturdy construction that can withstand abuse with grace. What if the Swedish automaker applied its boxy design on a body-on frame SUV? Sketch Monkey may have had the same idea, and the result is quite handsome.
YouTube’s most popular rendering artist has been focusing his attention on the Volvo 240 for a while now. But this is not the first time he’s done it. Modernizing the brick-shaped four door It was designed to be compatible with current company products. The 240 SUV is a bit old-fashioned, and looks more like a square-body Chevrolet Suburban rather than any other Volvo model.
The Sketch Monkey went beyond just jacking up suspension and resizing wheels to restyle the Volvo 240. The body sides are higher and continue to include chunky rubber moldings that protect the paint from trail rash or door dings. The rendering is actually a sedan, rather than a wagon. This may be because it has a shorter rear overhang. The SUV’s roof is not nearly as long as that of the wagon’s and the hatch is pushed forward ever so slightly – no Turbobrick.
The SUV design retains strong Volvo cues, with wide shoulders that separate the greenhouse and the rest of it. The SUV’s black safety bumpers, rocker trim and mud flaps appear very scandinavian. It looks as though it is equally at home in the Lapland wilderness or Gothenburg streets. For a rugged and tough appearance, it rides on polished steel wheels.
As with other thought experiments, Abimelec Design’s 1959 as well as 1977 Cadillac Escalades come to mind. The Sketch Monkey Volvo240 SUV is only a digital drawing. It’s a shame. Perhaps an enterprising coachbuilder could take it as inspiration.