Volvo Cars, working closely with the type design studio Dalton Maag, has introduced a custom in-car typeface intended to improve reading speed, enhance driver focus, and create a more serene user experience.
Named Centum, the new typeface nods to Volvo’s approaching 100-year anniversary in 2027. Its first appearance will be in the upcoming Volvo EX60, followed by a gradual introduction across additional vehicle models and digital touchpoints.
According to Volvo, every element of Centum — from the subtle curvature of its characters to the precise spacing between them — has been meticulously crafted to minimise visual clutter and allow drivers to concentrate on what truly matters: safety, clarity, and simplicity. The company describes the approach as “Scandinavian design for the eyes in motion.”
Matthew Hall, Volvo’s UX Creative Director, emphasised the importance of typography in the driving environment, calling it one of the most impactful yet often overlooked components of interface design. He explained that modern users increasingly seek simplicity, and Volvo’s design philosophy reflects that desire by ensuring on-screen elements are perfectly timed, proportioned, and choreographed to produce a sense of calm.
Centum has been engineered for consistency across platforms and visibility in all driving conditions. It supports more than 800 languages and has been optimised specifically for glance-based reading within the car’s interface.
Dalton Maag’s Creative Director, Zeynep Akay, highlighted that designing for motion requires a completely different perspective. Centum, she said, is built to perform reliably under pressure, across multiple scripts, and even when a car is travelling at 100 km/h.
