Instead of going through the hassle of making an advanced infotainment system like most car makers do, Volvo made a deal with Garmin to provide them with professional navigation kits on all current models.

This new ultra-thin Garmin navigation kit was first introduced with the S60 and V60 in 2010, but it’s now available as an accessory for the rest of the range. The kit comes with a unique  docking unit at the driver’s windscreen pillar with built-in speaker and charging. That is a much better place for the navigation screen than the center console. The driver can glance at it like he glances  at the speedometer without getting distracted.

Garmin kit is also in tune with the time featuring Multi-touch and 3D display. The multi-touch capabilities go far beyond just the classic push-to-zoom. All in all, there are ten convenient multi-touch commands. Major buildings and points of interest are displayed in 3D to enhance overview. In junctions, the driver is conveniently guided to the right lane at the right time.

What’s more it features Traffic Message Channel (TMC) radio data technology that will let the driver know if there are traffic disturbances on route and recommend an alternative. Additional unique features are the Volvo start-up logo and Volvo workshop locations displayed.

Garmin nüvi Navigation Kit comes in two models, 3790 which is pre-programmed with road cartography for Europe, USA/Canada/Mexico or Russia, or 3760 which has no maps included  and you should download them based on your needs. There’s no word on pricing yet.

“The Garmin nüvi 3790 is less than nine millimetres thick, which is about the same as an ordinary pencil. Positioned at the driver’s windscreen pillar, the touch-screen is easy to view and operate. The unit is also easy to bring outside the car. It even remembers where you parked,” says Jonas Nilsson, Director, Volvo Cars Accessory Business Unit.

“The position and navigation unit meets Volvo Cars’ stringent safety demands. The speech recognition allows the driver to keep both hands on the wheel. All he or she has to do is to wake the navigator up with a customizable voice command and speak menu options displayed on the screen,” adds Jonas Nilsson