In case you haven’t heard, Volvo is about to unveil the next-generation XC60 compact Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) real soon. Besides being the vaunted SUV’s latest iteration, the new XC60 represents a new chapter is the Swedish carmaker’s continuing quest to make its offerings the safest vehicles on the planet.
The second-generation Volvo XC60 will feature three cutting-edge technologies aimed at making the SUV truly safe for occupants, as well as other road users. The brand’s City Safety system, which first saw daylight in the first-gen XC60, receives Steering Support, which engages steering functions to help avoid a collision. City Safety, as you may recall, utilizes automatic braking when a vehicle, large animal, or pedestrian is in the vehicle’s path. It warns drivers of such obstacles and applies necessary brake force to avoid a crash. Now, it will steer the car if ever it detects that braking is not enough. The system works best between 50-100kph.
Volvo likewise fits the new XC60 with Oncoming Lane Mitigation. This cool piece of safety kit senses when a driver has unwittingly drifted onto the opposite lane. Moreover, it will detect if there is a car in that same lane and warn the driver of the danger ahead. Plus, it will apply steering inputs to move the vehicle back into the proper lane. This one works between 60-140kph.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) likewise gets a bit of steering assistance by maneuvering the vehicle back into its lane if another vehicle is in its blind spot. All three technologies are aimed at making Volvos truly safe. And with the company’s vision of preventing anyone from being killed or seriously injured in a Volvo by the year 2020, it looks like it is on its way to meeting that goal.
The all-new Volvo XC60 will be revealed at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show this March.
