Thanks largely in
part to Volvo's 80+ year legacy in the automotive industry safety is not
an objection we at the retail level, frequently, if ever have to overcome. Make
no mistake either, the Swedish manufacturer's holistic approach to the concept
is not a new maxim. In fact the Volvo's attention to safety was explicit in
1927 when founder's Assar Gabrielsson & Gustav
Larson explained: "Car's are driven by people. The guiding principle
behind everything we make at Volvo, therefore, is and must remain safety."[1] Today Volvo takes that
mission a step further. By breaking the idea of safety down into 3 components
Volvo's 2013 fleet should no doubt be safer than either creator's wildest
dreams. Measures to: prevent an accident from ever occurring, to protect the
occupants if an accident should occur, and to keep you and your belongings
secure are taken on each vehicle across the range. So let's break this down.
Take the 2013 Volvo C30 as our example. We can illustrate which features play a
part in making the vehicle safer through prevention, protection & security
with a closer look.
Prevention:
Adaptive brake light: Active at speeds above 30 mph, the adaptive brake light can sense the difference between normal and panic braking. If it is a panic situation, all the brake lights will flash at a rate of four times per second. Once your speed slows to below 19 mph, the lights stop flashing and hazard lights flash instead. Using LED technology that needs less time to light up than regular bulbs, traffic behind you can react sooner.
Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS): To help avoid distractions during critical driving situations, IDIS constantly analyzes your driving and will delay secondary information from the car or one of its onboard systems when it detects intense steering, braking or acceleration. As soon as things calm down, the phone call or the delayed information is presented.
Active dual Xenon Headlamps*: In addition to improving illumination using Dual Xenon light technology, the active lights give a boost to your vision round bends at night. Controlled by microprocessors, the motorized lamps turn up to 15 degrees in either direction when driving - reliably lighting up your chosen path. A twilight sensor disengages the adaptive function during daylight to extend its life span. * Included in the Premier Plus and Platinum trim level
Volvo's interactive safety technologies: In a Volvo, safety is about interaction. Because it's not the number of safety features that determines how safe a car is, it's how well they seamlessly interact to help protect the occupants in the event of a collision.
o IN A REAR IMPACT the rear deformation zones will help absorb crash energy. The fuel tank is designed to remain well protected in front of the rear axle. The head restraints help protect the neck and spine, and Volvo's unique Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) cradles the front seat occupants in a controlled manner to help prevent whiplash injuries.
o I A SIDE IMPACT Volvo's unique Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) helps distribute the crash forces across the car's body, away from the occupants. The side airbags in the front seats help protect the chest and hip, while the Inflatable Curtain (IC) adds head protection.
o IN A ROLL-OVER the robust safety cage and the reinforced roof structure together with the safety belts and belt pre- tensioners will help protect the occupants. If the car first has been hit from the side, the Inflatable Curtain (IC) deploys to help provide head protection.
o IN
A FRONTAL COLLISION the patented frontal structure will yield to help absorb
and disperse crash energy. The compact power train is designed to help optimize
deformation. Inside the car, safety belts interact with the collapsible
steering column and dual-stage airbags to help keep the occupants out of harm's
way.
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS): SIPS is a Volvo unique safety system that has been developed to help protect where occupants are most exposed to the crash forces. The steel framework of the car - including the front seats - is designed and reinforced to help displace the impact of a side-collision away from the occupants to other parts of the car body and help prevent intrusion into the cabin. The side structure is extremely strong to help withstand a severe side impact - even with a larger vehicle. The Inflatable Curtain (IC) for all the outboard occupants and the front seat side airbags interact to help provide further protection.
Protection:
Whiplash Protection System: Integrated in the front seats, Volvo's WHIPS cradles the occupant to help reduce the risk of whiplash injury (one of the most common types of traffic injury and often the result of a low-speed rear impact collision). The function is activated by a collision of sufficient force from behind. Independent research has shown that WHIPS is one of the most effective systems in the world and can reduce the risk of long-term invalidity by 50%.
Security:
Approach & Home Safe Lighting: Activated with the remote control, Approach Lighting provides a warm reception on a dark night. This consists of interior and sidelights - ground lighting too, if you choose it. Home Safe Lighting is activated with the headlight stalk as you leave the car and it provides a similar courtesy when exiting your car. This feature includes a dipped beam from the headlight to accompany you to your door.Power retractable door mirrors with ground lighting*: At the touch of a button, these door mirrors can be folded flat against the car where they are less likely to get damaged after you've parked. They also fold or unfold automatically every time you lock or unlock the car. The integrated ground lighting is activated with the remote control. Beyond enhancing security to and from your car at night, this is also convenient when getting in and out. * Included with the optional Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
Suffice to say the
idea of Safety at Volvo runs a lot deeper than simply adding airbags to their
vehicles, and it works. On August 14, the 2012 S60 received top ratings from
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety taking on Infiniti, Acura, BMW,
Lincoln, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Lexus, and Audi in the recently developed
Small-Overlap Front Crash Test.[2] Those
stripes have been earned. So if you've learned one thing today let it be that
Safety is about more the seat belts and air bags, and that is definitely
something to remember next time you're shopping for a vehicle. [3]
[2] "Status Report" August 14, 2012 Insurance Institute For Highway Safety | Highway Loss Data Institute.
[3] All statistics facts & safety figures above are taken directly from the Model Year 2013 C30 Product Brochure. Point of purchase material and not to be reproduced, or republished in any way.
https://www.portlandvolvo.com/2013-ebrochures.htm