All-seeing new Volvo

Feb 10 2010 Maurice Glover

All-seeing new Volvo

TECHNOLOGY that stops a car automatically to avoid collisions will be fitted as standard on the next new model from Volvo.

To be unveiled at the Geneva motor show, the Swedish firm's S60 four door coupe features innovative pedestrian detection equipment linked with an automatic braking system.

Operating via a radar unit in the front grille and a camera fitted to the interior mirror, the gadgetry responds to vehicles in front that are at a standstill and pedestrians who are about to step into the road.

"Detecting pedestrians with sufficiently high reliability has been a complex challenge, but our technology is programmed to trace pattern of movement and calculate whether a pedestrian is likely to step in front of the car. It can also predict the movements of children," says Volvo safety advisor Thomas Broberg.

If the driver fails to react in time, the equipment is able to avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 21mph. At higher speeds, it helps cut speed as much as possible prior to impact and is expected to cut the risk of fatalities by up to 20 per cent.

Due on sale in summer, the S60 will be available with diesel and petrol engines and a 1.6-litre DRIVe version offering 65.7mpg and 115g/km emissions will join the range next year.

Claimed to be the sportiest Volvo yet, the car stands on 18-inch alloy wheels and features a new stability and traction control system for improved driving dynamics.