Volvo claims the all-new Volvo XC90 SUV - which is due to go on sale later this year - will be one of the safest vehicles ever made. Among the new model's standard safety systems will be two claimed world-first technologies, including new accident avoidance and junction braking systems.
The expanded safety tech is part the firm's plan that nobody will die or be seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.
Key among the XC90's safety features is a new system for protecting cars which have been forced off the road in accidents - something Volvo claims is a world first.
The system, dubbed Safe Positioning, combines pre-tensioning the front seat belts if a crash is detected with using an energy-absorbing seat to minimise spinal injuries.
A lane departure warning system can also apply torque to the steering wheel, while a driver alert system detects if motorists aren't paying attention and directs them to the nearest rest stop.
Another technology which Volvo claims is a world first is its junction braking system. If the XC90 detects that a rear impact by a vehicle at a junction is imminent, it pre-tensions the seat belts, as well as activating lights to warn the driver behind. The system also protects against turning into the path of an oncoming car. Volvo says its seats use the next generation of whiplash protection technology to prevent injuries.
Meanwhile, a roll-over prevention system can apply braking force to wheels and restrict engine torque if the vehicle is in danger of rolling over. A new Queue Assist can also allow the car to take over autonomous acceleration, braking and steering when manouvering in a slow-moving queue. City braking, road sign recognition and blind spot monitoring systems also feature.
Buyers will also be able to specify a new suite of assistance technologies dubbed IntelliSafe. An extended parking assist function can guide motorists into parking bays while monitoring the area around the car for traffic, while a 360-degree view is presented to the driver inside.
The Safe Positioning, lane assist, driver alert, junction braking, city braking and road sign recognition systems have already been confirmed as standard equipment on the new car, although Volvo won't reveal exact specification or pricing information until closer to its launch.
The company has already revealed the powertrain options which will be available when the new XC90 goes on sale. Offered from the outset will be a T8-badged petrol-electric hybrid as well as D5 and D4 diesel options.
Read Autocar's first ride in the new Volvo XC90 prototype
Get the latest car news, reviews and galleries from Autocar direct to your inbox every week. Enter your email address below:
Join the debate
Add your comment
How about not bothering with
Worst thing ever
See the Volvo
Further, Volvo Cars is ahead of industry trends for the first five months of the year in Europe, with a 9.6 percent year-to-date growth in registrations compared to a 6.6 percent growth for the rest of the market. In May, 21,854 Volvo cars were registered for European drivers; thus far in 2014, 101,903 Volvos have been registered in Europe. Still dont let the facts get in the way...
The percentage game
Volvo itself might have grown more in percentage terms, but that is from a relatively low starting point so even a low level increase in sales would look good. I've just downloaded the European wide car registration figures for 2013 from the ACEA website. Volvo's market share is 1.6%, while Dacia have 2.4, Fiat 4.7, Seat 2.3, Peugeot 6.0, bla bla. Incredibly they do actually beat JLR who have 1.1%, and Porsche with 0.3%. Volvo's are probably nice cars now (they can't be any worse than the 440 I moved for somebody sometime ago - I still get nightmares) but to present them as a soaring success story is cooking the books somewhat.