Through customer research, Olsson said, the company discovered that women want everything in a car that men want in terms of performance and styling, "plus a lot more that male car buyers have never thought to ask for."
"We learned that if you meet women's expectations, you exceed those for men," he said.
The result: A car that's designed to be nearly maintenance free, requiring an oil change every 31,000 miles. When it's time for an engine inspection, the car sends a wireless message to a local service center, which notifies the driver. The vehicle has no hood, only a large front end primarily suited for opening by a mechanic. It also features a race-car-like fueling system with a roller-ball valve opening for the nozzle but no gas cap.
The engine is a low-emission, gas-electric hybrid.
"You get the power, and you're environmentally OK at the same time," said Tatiana Butovitsch, the project's communications manager.
Gull-wing doors allow easy access to space behind the driver's seat. The bottom of the rear seats fold up, similar to theater seating, providing more storage space. The car also has dirt-repellant paint and glass, exchangeable seat covers with matching carpet and sensors that allow for easier parking.