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SAFETy
Protective
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 keep the occupants out of harm’s way.
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.
In 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.
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.
In a frontal collision
the
patented frontal structure
will yield to help absorb and disperse crash energy.
The compact powertrain is designed to help
optimise 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.
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whiplash protection System (wHIpS)
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%.
Energy-absorbing frontal structure
Volvo’s patented frontal structure is built with several types of steel to allow optimal deformation – outer
layers are more yielding, while steel closer to the cabin is more resilient. This structure helps absorb
the impact of a collision before it reaches the occupants. The compact powertrain is designed to help
optimise deformation. The unique geometry of the frontal structure and longitudinal steel struts in the
doors help disperse crash energy away from the front to the rear of the car, further helping to reduce
the strain on the occupants. A steel strut under the dashboard helps prevent components in the engine
bay from intruding into the cabin. This also helps protect legs and feet.
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.
SAFETy
Child safety
Volvo’s child safety programme
To further enhance protection for children, we offer a child safety programme that is among the most
comprehensive in the car world. Because infants have large heads and weak necks*, we know that a child
up to the age of 3–4 travels most safely facing the rear. Volvo’s rear-facing child seats help provide
maximum protection in a wide range of collisions. Children who have outgrown the child seat travel most
safely seated on a booster seat, secured with the car’s safety belt.
* In a frontal collision at 50 km/h, the head of a six-month infant can be exposed to forces corresponding to a load of 100 kg!
please note:
If the front passenger seat airbag is switched on, children under 140 cm in height should never be seated in
the front seat – not in conjunction with a child seat, a booster cushion or under any other circumstances.
