The man who inspired the curvaceous lines of the current Volvo range has just been named "Designer of the Year" by the prestigious British magazine Autocar. Autocar praised the Gothenburg-based Englishman for 'turning the traditional image of Volvo on its head'.

Horbury's first design for Volvo to appear in public was the Environmental Concept Car in 1992. It came to Australia where it was widely acclaimed for its styling and there was open speculation that it was a foretaste of Volvo cars to come.

This surmise was proven accurate when the first production Volvos to carry the new Horbury styling theme, the compact S40 and V40, were announced. They were followed by the stunningly beautiful C70 Coupe and Convertible.

His latest, and many say his greatest, triumph is the new S80 which has succeeded in establishing Volvo as a serious player in the luxury sector of the market against formidably entrenched opposition.

Horbury accepted his award with characteristic modesty.

"I am honoured to receive this award," he said. "Every car company knows that design is the main reason for people to buy a particular car. I was so pleased when people saw the S80 and said, 'I know it is a Volvo, but I'm not sure why'. There's a recognition there."

Peter Horbury, who joined Volvo in 1991, graduated from the British Royal College of Art in 1974.

His hectic schedule reflects the international nature of today's automobile business. He splits his time between Gothenburg in Sweden, Volvo's design centres in Holland and California, and his home in England where his wife and two teenage sons live.

Like all great designers, Horbury is more concerned with the future than the past.

"The Autocar award indicates how Volvo has developed in recent years," he says, " but the new Volvo S80 is just the beginning."