Since When Does Sweden Make The Coolest Cars?

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland) 02/28/2014 at 11:11 • Filed to: Sweden, Articles, supercars, Volvo, Saab, Koenigsegg

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Right now...stop reading and go ask 10 people, "Who makes the coolest cars?" then come back. Good you are back...what were the answers? Italy, Germany, USA, Japan, maybe England? I bet Sweden was not on most people's radar. And that is a shame, because the small country of only 9.5 million just rolled in like a viking ship and laid waste to how many of us think of awesome automobiles. For most people cool cars are something like this-

Of course if you are a lifelong SAAB fan or Volvo-head (I just made that word up) you've known for a while that Sweden has been making some unique, quirky, and downright fun machines.

But that is the thing for the longest time unique, quirky, and safe was how most people perceived Swedish automobiles. And that is fine, but quirky and safe don't sell (RIP SAAB). Quirky and safe are not put on posters. Until now...

Sure Volvo still makes very safe cars. But they are sexy too. Just look at those lines…

Are they for everyone? No….but that is what makes them great. German cars look nice but the styling is for the most part "safe."

Italy has made and will continue to make very fast, and beautiful cars. But that beauty has transitioned from Renaissance art-

To more "abstract art"-

While the Italians were busy fighting over who could make the most ridiculous looking hypercar (yes I said it, come at me bro). Christian von Koenigsegg has been quietly tinkering and improving his supercars, sharpening his battle-ax to soon !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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It can be quite chilly in Sweden so perhaps that is how they can put so much "cool" in their machines. O.k that is a bogus theory...but what are some of your favorites from the Nordic land?

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is a professional car buying consultant, lover of all things automotive and a bit wagon obsessed. You can find more ramblings and plenty of carporn !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Brian Silvestro > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 11:14

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I think the Italians have gone over the line when it comes to design, there's just too much. Germans love to just do the same thing over again because it's what makes money. I've never been much of a Koenigsegg fan, but the One:1 is something else.

DirtyBird > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 11:15

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as long as it doesnt need to be assembled im okay with this

Tom McParland > DirtyBird 02/28/2014 at 11:15

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LOL

For Sweden > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 11:20

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_

Tom McParland > For Sweden 02/28/2014 at 11:21

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I had you in mind when I was writing this.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 11:23

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Every time the new Volvo Shooting Brake is posted I will reaffirm how goddamn sexy it is and how much I want one. BUILD IT VOLVO AND I WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON ON THE WAITING LIST.

I'm not kidding, I will trade in my ST for that immediately, automatic or no. I never thought I'd be willing to buy a small automatic but the Volvo sexiness overcomes all.

But please make it available with a manual Volvo, I want to have it all.

spanfucker retire bitch > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 11:29

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They needed cars to match their weather.

Hiyoooo.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 11:40

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I love Volvo beacuse they acknowledge this too... they always mock their culture or looks. The new ads saying Volvos aren't for everyone and the old ads saying looks aren't eveything.

I love Volvos. I need this concept to become real.

I thought I liked the C30 but this blows it away. Maybe its the brown. Maybe its the long roof. Its something!

STREPITUS > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 12:02

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Sweden has always made the coolest cars

Tom McParland > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 12:07

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I hope the ONE shows the rest of world that

Anon > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 12:11

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I'd say that they're like the campagnolo of the car world. Now stay with me here and let me explain. Campagnolo is a bicycle groupset (think of it as the transmission of a bike) which is widely adored by cycling fans. They're very unique because Campagnolo groupsets aren't included stock on most bikes. They're quirky with their unique shifting system. They're fairly obscure with the new generation of cyclist because they've been raised seeing Shimano and SRAM (think the big three germans) on bikes. Finally, they can both be a major pain in the ass to get worked on because they're obscure.

Garrett Davis > For Sweden 02/28/2014 at 12:28

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So are you...

A) Swedish?

B) Live in Sweden?

C) Just like Volvos?

D) All of the above?

Garrett Davis > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 12:30

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God damn it! Please, please, please make this, Volvo! And please don't stray too far from this concept!

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 12:30

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"Italy, Germany, USA, Japan, maybe England?"

The correct order is Italy, Britain, USA. Top 5 may include France.

For Sweden > Garrett Davis 02/28/2014 at 12:33

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It's not my job to educate you, Anglo

Garrett Davis > For Sweden 02/28/2014 at 12:38

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Ouch. Got me right in the heritage.

desertdog5051 > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 12:46

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I saw a new Vulva on the road last night. Don't know what model it was cause it was night and ahead of me. But the taillights were amazing

bob and john > Anon 02/28/2014 at 13:29

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agreed. i HATED setting them up when in worked at my local bike shop. |
then my boss let my try his bike that hasd the only 11-speed at the time.

i took everything bad i said about them.

bpromersberger > DirtyBird 02/28/2014 at 20:14

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That being said, I would buy the fuck out of that Shooting Brake Concept if it was a kit car, and on the cheap.

tapzz > Anon 02/28/2014 at 20:15

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Actually, I'd see them more as Rohloff speed hubs: completely left field, deeply rational, very durable and reliable. But a bit heavy.

rxe7en > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 20:15

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Yum! Saab SPG. Love it.

360ad > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 20:16

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The Volvo Amazon is pretty cool too.

fabarati > For Sweden 02/28/2014 at 20:16

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Right on, brother!/08 represents!

BornSwedeDriveSwede > Garrett Davis 02/28/2014 at 20:19

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Yes. I don't normally buy new but if this came out relatively in form I might be tempted to break my rule!

BornSwedeDriveSwede > Garrett Davis 02/28/2014 at 20:19

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Seriously. That's a lot of hostility for a swede!

BornSwedeDriveSwede > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 20:21

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Yes! I'm proud to own two of those, though in sedan form :(

AdmiralAkbar > bpromersberger 02/28/2014 at 20:21

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I'd pick it up in a flat pack box from Ikea for sure!

BornSwedeDriveSwede > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 20:22

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And I'm actively searching for a workable 1800es

savethethirdpedal-angry at anger management > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:23

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This new One:1 is an amazing feat, indeed!

However, what has me more intrigued than anything else read in the past week is this:

http://jalopnik.com/what-its-like-…

A camless engine?? Rock on, Sweden! This article was a great read for myself and everyone else in the office.

tapzz > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:23

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Since When Does Sweden Make The Coolest Cars?

Since 1949

though 1944 is a good starter year too:

TGRIP > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:25

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Sigh... guys, we all know that awesome Volvo will NEVER, EVER, EVER (continue saying EVER for five hours straight) EVER go into production, right?

AdmiralAkbar > spanfucker retire bitch 02/28/2014 at 20:26

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If that was the case, Canada would be making a ton of cool cars too. Instead we just help other countries make Camrys and Tauruses.

Rafael > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:28

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Volvo's new design language is elegant, clean, and quite frankly a breath of fresh air, as far as I'm concerned. Many car companies have gone wild adding too many lines and superfluous curves (read: BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, etc), all in the name of trying to appeal to the Chinese market, as I hear they like that sort of thing.
Volvo has taken a step away from that trend by taking a page from their fellow Swedish furniture makers with their latest three concepts (the concept coupe, xc concept, and their latest shooting brake), creating something very simple and handsome. Light plays very well off of the body surfaces, creating very long highlights and shadows that just draw you in.

Now, Volvo has created a bit of a problem for themselves. They need to find a means to bring these designs to the market before people lose interest.

shop-teacher > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/28/2014 at 20:29

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Somebody else said this, so I'm stealing their line, but I've never wanted a vehicle so bad in my life without knowing anything about what engine it has in it.

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 20:29

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What's that little red car beneath the 9000 Aero?

ya-hey-everyone-ya-hey > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:30

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To say "Sweden" makes the coolest cars is a bit disingenuous as it implies there are many automakers there. To my knowledge, there are now two; Volvo and Konniisssegggeee. And really, there's only one car from Volvo that has your panties in a bunch and it's a lone design concept which isn't currently being "made". So, what you should really be writing is that you think Koinniinnggsseegge makes the coolest cars.

SO-Nata-Racecar > desertdog5051 02/28/2014 at 20:31

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Autocorrect?

STREPITUS > Doctor-G-and-the-wagen 02/28/2014 at 20:32

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UNO 001. The only one ever made.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNO_001

20394089234089234 > ya-hey-everyone-ya-hey 02/28/2014 at 20:35

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B-but what about this: http://www.saabcars.com/en/products/ca…

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:35

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I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that generally Scandinavian design has always been very popular and well respected. Ikea as a Swedish example, have produced very popular designs in furniture for a long time now, and in the car world I agree with you all that Saab in particular was always a very underrated automaker in terms of design. The Volvo concept is stunning, it would be great if Volvo could follow through on recent concepts and get them on the market. I think we'd suddenly see much more competition towards BMW's and Audi's that people now automatically seem to purchase.

I've always found Swedish people to be very modern, confident and great fun to be around and it would be nice if this spirit could be reflected more in the cars they produce. Fingers crossed.

rennsportv12 > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:37

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Since 1998

stillthrottledown > rennsportv12 02/28/2014 at 20:38

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Awwww yeah! The Swedes!!

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > AdmiralAkbar 02/28/2014 at 20:40

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"Oh damn it! I lost one of the brake calipers and there wasn't enough rod bearings, ah fuck it...."

Wunderchoc > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 20:41

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That Aero on the second picture. I have no words.

mathiassssss > desertdog5051 02/28/2014 at 20:42

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Was most likely an XC60...

Roni Solomon DDS > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 02/28/2014 at 20:43

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The difference between Volvo and IKEA is that Volvo's products are known for being durable, high quality, and designed to last generations. IKEA is just the opposite, disposable products made with garbage materials.

mathiassssss > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 20:44

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Volvo, will yöu marry me?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Roni Solomon DDS 02/28/2014 at 20:47

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I didn't make a comment on Ikea's build quality.

desertdog5051 > SO-Nata-Racecar 02/28/2014 at 20:51

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No, Vulva was my response. :)

gruiz8 > Roni Solomon DDS 02/28/2014 at 20:56

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Do like my dad does and put wood glue on all their wood furniture and it doubles the half life*

*I know I'm improperly using the term half life... because race car.

James May is my spirit animal > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 20:58

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Whenever I bring my wife to the zoo or a pet store, she squeals about wanting to take every cute thing home.

If we ever vacation in Sweden, I'm sure I would be the same with the cars.

BigGatorChris > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:00

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Maybe the weirdest.

If I had to pick a country's products to exclusively populate my garage with, Sweden's would be my sixth choice, at best.

One supercar and an imaginary brown Volvo doth not a cool car industry make.

Gene Lewis > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:01

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I'VE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR SOOO LONGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

Volvo has had a style revolution, bringing new design to a company in need of a large boost in sales. Volvo doesn't go along with the people, creating a bland design, or even trying to copy styles of other manufacturers. If they produce just 1 of these concepts (oh Lord, please be a 2 door estate), and the new xc90 with the great technology and drivetrain that they currently have (turbo 5, turbo 6, yamaha v8?!?! awd), they will blow audi out of the water, and just about any competition.

Koenigsegg is another one of those companies that not very many know of, but that every car manufacturer should get to know. Sure, they produce the fastest cars in the world, and have been for a long time (have you all seen the race between an agera and a veyron? The Veyron may as well have been a Camry. JUST KIDDING, BUT REALLY, THE RACE IS CRAZY, THE VEYRON HAD ZERO CHANCE!). Christian von Koenigsegg has revolutionized camless technology and quite honestly, changed engine technology as we know it. Up to 25% MORE power, while having 50% BETTER fuel economy if this technology continues development?!?! How is this not brilliant? Koenigsegg implemented the technology in a SAAB and has had great success.

If I was the president of Volvo, I'd buy Koenigsegg, let Christian do his thing and continue to build amazing megacars, use the camless valve technology all new volvos, and have a monopoly on camless cars that are more fuel efficent, and more powerful than any of their counterparts.

oldirtybootz > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:03

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I typically have no interest in hypercars, with rare exceptions such as the 918, but the One:1 is just such an incredible machine from a somewhat unlikely company. I hadn't paid it much attention until I read the article today, and I was sort of just left mouth agape after reading it. The amount of work that went into the car is incredible for a company without the backing of VW, Fiat, etc..

KingKai > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:07

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The sweeds have always been cool in a hip kind of way. If only they new how to market cars.

Grant Leavitt > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 21:07

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dat rat rod! Holy smokes. *Sweden moves up a hundred spots on my cool automakers countries list*

nauyop > Garrett Davis 02/28/2014 at 21:09

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Yeah they might make this, just probably refuse sell them in murica.

Tom McParland > BigGatorChris 02/28/2014 at 21:17

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Fair enough and I wasn't totally serious with the "Coolest" bit...but I do think the V60 (the real wagon) is pretty awesome.

Reckoning Day > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:22

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No problem I am a Danish Viking. So what now ?

No more 4,5,6 cylinder crapola and can dice with the 2014 Corvette Z06 and beat it for the same $'s, and I might be interested.

Room13 > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:26

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You didn't need to write an article about this. You could have just visited me at the dealership and I would have told you! Let me tell you about the brand new V60 Sportwagon!

Robbzy88 > STREPITUS 02/28/2014 at 21:28

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OBC Mantorp meet Lancia Montecarlo.

Nedus > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:31

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All of my wants

ALL OF THEM.

BigGatorChris > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:47

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Volvo lost me when they needlessly ditched RWD. I'm getting a little choked up just thinking about it.

Dr. Understeer > desertdog5051 02/28/2014 at 21:48

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Vulva, meaning Acura RDX or A4.

Room13 > TGRIP 02/28/2014 at 21:48

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You DICK!

MAXIMUMVRM > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 21:53

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And the jalopnik banner never had a wagon...

desertdog5051 > Dr. Understeer 02/28/2014 at 21:57

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Tom McParland > Room13 02/28/2014 at 21:58

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Dude I go to Volvo's website at least once a week to configure my V60. Sadly I haz no monies.

obrohno > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 22:00

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I'd like to see someone specify what the swedes have done for the automobile beyond safety. It's seems bureaucratically pretty easy to make a car safe... the buyers and society at large + laws will only support this goal. Pretty clear that direction defines swedish cars beyond their sporty periphery. To me it isn't clear what they've done beyond that? Are these examples it? I swear in what looked good in the comments above they only repurposed styling cues from Italy anyway? That car the "Il Tempo Gigante" Christian von Koenigsegg was inspired by at the age of 5 in his favorite stop motion film The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix sounds pretty damn Italian to me... I'd take Italy and the US in a toss up any day over anything Swedish but wouldn't hesitate to throw either of those two countries V8's in the back of a the 3 door p1800.

AdmiralAkbar > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner 02/28/2014 at 22:02

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But at least you've got all those leftover piston heads!

F40LM > For Sweden 02/28/2014 at 22:10

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I clicked this article because I thought you wrote it.

d3v > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 22:30

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Of course, the only reason for this is because FIAT isn't letting Lancia be Lancia.

kschang > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 22:32

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I rather like the old-style pimpmobiles...

This is Barry White's Stutz IV - Porte, as shown in "Counting Cars".

Garrett Davis > nauyop 02/28/2014 at 22:40

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True. Laaaame.

I lurk the greys for fun > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 22:43

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2006 Saab 9-3 Aero 6 speed was probably the best sport sedan they made in the past 10 years. I loved that car.

For Sweden > F40LM 02/28/2014 at 22:51

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:3

pfftballer > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/28/2014 at 23:33

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It must have that badass plaid interior or the deal is FUCKING OFF!

pfftballer > shop-teacher 02/28/2014 at 23:34

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Comon you know it will have the inline 5 and awd.

Seitz > Tom McParland 02/28/2014 at 23:35

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I'm sorry, but Sweden has never made the coolest cars. aside from a few old Saabs, which, let's be honest, stole their silhouette from Porsche, Sweden has ALWAYS played it safe.

XC99TF00 > Anon 02/28/2014 at 23:50

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This probably explains why I drive a SAAB and ride a bike outfitted with some old Record 9spd setup...

Kinetis > Garrett Davis 03/01/2014 at 00:21

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Like it, but sadly can't afford it. :(

Ike B > STREPITUS 03/01/2014 at 00:35

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As a longtime Volvo owner (and modifier, and +Ter, and engine destroyer) all I gots to say is yesss!

RollaRider > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 00:39

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Couldn't help but think that that Volvo concept looks like a new P1800ES, like CrzRsn posted a picture of.

And there was this:

Who doesn't love V4's?

RollaRider > ya-hey-everyone-ya-hey 03/01/2014 at 00:42

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Volvo's R-Designs and Polestars are cool.

Fatamericanstig > STREPITUS 03/01/2014 at 00:48

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P1800.....SO MUCH WANT.

SwedishMachine > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 01:42

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Hail Sweden, hail Volvo, turbochargers forever. Amen.
I've submitted to the Swedish overlords and I love my quirky, boxy turbo wagon. Sweden has always made cool cars. See Volvo 850 turbo/R, Volvo 740/760/780 turbo, Volvo 240, Saab 900 classic/99, Saab 96, Saab 9000 etc.
Retro Swedish cars are also going up in value big time. Try to find a clean Volvo 240 for under $3k. Half the ones on eBay are going for $8-10k!

chicagoE36 > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 01:52

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The Veneno is as Italian as Mario Balotelli and as over the top, ridiculous, and ugly.
Thanks for shaming the tri-colore, Lamborghini.

DriveJunk > STREPITUS 03/01/2014 at 03:16

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ooooh, yeah.........

duurtlang > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 03/01/2014 at 03:16

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Don't be shy. The top 3 includes France. I'd say Italy, Britain and France. In random order.

Lfb629 > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 04:19

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They didn't exploit their roots for nothing...

Hey11111111111111111 > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 04:58

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Before we get all nationalistic here it should be noted that the design departments at any car maker in any country is a mix of people of many nationalities. So these Volvos (German design manager) has been designed by people from all around the world. And that's true with Italian, German, French etc manufacturers as well.

So cool cars yes, but nationalism doesn't design cars.

Frenchlicker > STREPITUS 03/01/2014 at 05:13

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Looking at your pictures gave me the same chill as the opening the Topgear theme song coming on.

dwall > Garrett Davis 03/01/2014 at 06:54

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A) Yes.
B) Yes.
C) Yes.
D) Yes.

993ftw > STREPITUS 03/01/2014 at 07:02

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That Yellow Volvo..

Roberto G. > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 07:08

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" who could make the most ridiculous looking hypercar "?

As always, the answer is only one: Luigi Colani .

quattrofl > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 07:46

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marry me

Rothko Westbeach > STREPITUS 03/01/2014 at 08:37

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Jajamen!

Rothko Westbeach > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 03/01/2014 at 08:39

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Hear hear.

Jason Adrian > Tom McParland 03/01/2014 at 09:44

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The real question is why do you believe the USA should be included on the 'makes the coolest cars' list?

Tom McParland > Jason Adrian 03/01/2014 at 10:03

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Because the Viper, Corvette, Mustang, Venom GT, Tesla, and Raptor just to name a few, are pretty cool cars. They might not be your thing but to some people Subaru is a brand for hippies...but we know better.