The Shifter That Changed Cool: Volvo’s Spaceball in the S60 R
Shifters are among the most-used touchpoints in any car. Save for newer Teslas, you use them almost every time you get in. They’re usually all function, little form. Yet some designers push beyond mere utility. The Volvo Spaceball shifter, built for the S60 R, is one of those rare departures from the norm. The Spaceball is like nothing else from this planet. No other car has anything like it, and the sense of uniqueness—proven by its very existence—feels like the heart of what makes something cool.
In This Article:
Cool Is a Personal Standard, Not a Rule
Cool is a personal standard, not a rule. The author refuses to define it for you, inviting readers to decide what 'cool' means. In the discussion, several legendary shifters are mentioned—Ferrari’s gated manual, the first-generation Audi R8, the Acura Integra Type S, and the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring. Yet the piece argues that none of these quite match the Spaceball’s eccentric appeal.
The Spaceball: A Shifter Like No Other
The Spaceball is a shifter like no other. It’s a standout in a way that makes you remember it—precisely because it defies expectation. The idea that uniqueness is a key part of coolness is front and center here, and the line that amplifies this: “The Spaceball is like nothing else from this planet. I mean, just look at it.”
Context That Elevates It: A Spaceball in a Sedan
Context matters: Volvo installed the Spaceball in a midsize sedan or wagon, making it even more jarringly out of place. That incongruity—beauty in the wrong place—heightens the sense that it’s weird, awesome, and undeniably cool.
Your Turn: Which Car Has the Coolest Shifter Ever?
Drop your pick in the comments and tell readers why. The author promises extra points for thoughtful explanations of what makes your choice so cool.
