Volvo breaking the conservative mould

The concepts were shown at the recent SEMA show in Las Vegas, the biggest automotive specialty products trade event in the world.

They are a beach-ready Volvo XC70, pictured, a high performance version of the S80 T6, a hot-orange C30 SportsCoupe, a powerful C70 convertible and a one-off fully custom hot rod, which is the only concept not based on production versions.

The hot rod was custom built from the ground up using major Volvo components from the previous-generation S80.

Volvo worked with Heico Sportiv in Germany to build the S80 T6 HPC and Volvo C30, while Caresto built the C70 and hot rod.

The Volvo XC70 concept, on the other hand, was conceived by the Volvo Cars design team and built by Aria, a California concept car firm.

The XC70 Surf Rescue rides on a lift suspension, with oversized tyres and heavily modified body panels. Inside, pictured below left, is a host of life-saving equipment and custom rescue surfboards, while the front bucket and rear seats have been recovered in wetsuit style neoprene.

The Heico Sportiv S80 T6 High Performance Concept features a 260kW E85 ethanol fuelled T6 engine driving through an all-wheel-drive system.

It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 5.8sec.

It is painted in seven-layer metal effect paint and inside is blue leather with a sweeping aluminium centre stack.

The Heico C30 is also inspired by surfing with a surf pattern inlay on the aluminium centre stack and a striking orange paint job.

It is lowered, sports a custom body kit with integrated spoilers and larger air ducts, has quad exhaust tips hint and a 223kW turbocharged T5 engine capable of 0-100km/h in 5.4sec.

Inside are bright orange leather seats.

First shown at last year's SEMA show, the Caresto Hot Rod was brought it back as a complement to the Caresto C70 Convertible.

Completely hand assembled from aluminium and carbon fibre, the Caresto Hot Rod features many Volvo parts, including the mid-engine 232kW V8 engine, hand-stitched chestnut leather upholstery and brushed-aluminium inserts around the fog lights and custom exhaust ports.