Volvo Cars’ active safety system rated best in the world
Volvo’s local 2010 Car of the Year finalist, the Volvo XC60 recently walked away with yet another safety accolade when German ADAC, the largest automotive organisation in the world, conducted an extensive comparison test of various automatic speed and distance control systems.
The Volvo XC60 was put up against the Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat CC, Honda Accord, Lexus IS, and the Ford Mondeo – and the Swede is extremely proud to have been awarded first prize.
“ADAC has carried out a total judgment which included the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) as well as the Distance Alert and City Safety. As far as I know this is the first time a test evaluates the total effect of those safety enhancing functions,” says Jonas Ekmark, Active Safety Hub Leader at Volvo Cars. On the Volvo XC60, this specific system is termed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
The ADAC test report states that: “the Volvo system scores above all due to the fact that it consistently puts its emphasis on accident avoidance. The driver is informed about any danger by a red flashing warning lamp, which is projected onto the windscreen. At low speeds, below 30 km/h, the additional, integrated laser technology called City Safety also recognises stationary vehicles and in a potential accident situation, brakes in time to stop the car.”
“Our promise – best possible safety”
“It feels good that ADAC pays attention to the fact that we have a system that consistently avoids accidents. That is our promise to the customer; to offer the best possible safety”, says Jonas Ekmark.
The exceptional position of City Safety is underlined by the fact that this system is not only unique, but it is also in mass production in the current Volvo XC60.
ADAC underlines another characteristic of the Volvo active speed and distance control system: “even with the ACC switched off, the driver is efficiently but not disturbingly warned, if below the safety distance.
ACC in all-new S60 – plus a world first function
In South Africa Adaptive Cruise Control is available as an option on all derivatives of the Volvo XC60, Volvo XC70, and Volvo S80. It will also be offered in the all-new Volvo S60, which celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show this year.
Beside ACC, the all-new Volvo S60 features another world-first safety system; Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake – a system that brakes automatically for pedestrians and can avoid a collision at speeds up to 35 kph. Just like the Volvo XC60, the new S60 also has City Safety as a standard feature.
ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) is the world’s largest automotive association with some 16 million members.
Volvo XC60 in the running for 2010 Car of the Year
Locally, the Volvo XC60 3.0T is one of only eight finalists in the 2010 Car of the Year competition. The XC60’s sleek design, superb comfort, excellent dynamics and world-renowned safety ensured it a spot on the short list. The final announcement takes place on 18 March.
