Advanced technology, a multitude of sensors and an airbag that deploys at lightning speed in the windscreen area – these are just some of the elements of Pedestrian Airbag Technology, the system that makes Volvo Car Corporation, with its all-new V40, the first manufacturer with a pedestrian airbag.

In China 25 percent of traffic fatalities are pedestrians. In Europe the figure is 14 percent and in the USA 12 percent. Far larger numbers of pedestrians are injured. The most serious head injuries involving pedestrians and cars are caused by the hard structure under the bonnet panel, the windscreen's lower edge and the A-pillars.

These were some of the considerations when Volvo Car Corporation started development of its Pedestrian Airbag Technology. The system was a world-first when it was debuted on the all-new Volvo V40 at the Geneva Motorshow earlier this year.

"We are proud to be able to offer a car with an airbag for pedestrians," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Technical Advisor Safety, Volvo Car Corporation. "The purpose of the airbag is to help protect pedestrians in certain situations when they impact the bonnet and the area around the windscreen wiper recess and A-pillar, where there may be a risk of serious head injuries."

Seven sensors embedded in the front of the car transmit signals to a control unit. When the car comes into contact with an object, the signals change. The control unit evaluates the signals and, if it registers what it interprets as a human leg, the pedestrian airbag is deployed.

Raises the bonnet by 10 centimetres
The bonnet hinges are each equipped with pyrotechnical release mechanisms which, when the system is activated, pull out a pin and release the rear of the bonnet panel. At the same time, the airbag is activated and starts filling with gas. During the inflation sequence the airbag raises the bonnet. It is lifted 10 centimetres and stays in the raised position.

The added gap between the bonnet and hard components in the engine compartment gives space for the bonnet to deform, creating a dampening effect when it is hit by a pedestrian.


"The airbag has two functions. Firstly, it raises the bonnet to create distance, and secondly it cushions the impact around the hard parts of the area near the windscreen," explains Thomas Broberg.

In its inflated position, the airbag covers the entire windscreen wiper recess, about one third of the windscreen, and the lower part of the A-pillars. The entire sequence from activation of the system to full inflation takes a few hundredths of a second.
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Due to unprecedented demand, Volvo Car Australia has launched a limited edition production version of the stunning S60 Performance Project concept that was revealed at last year’s Australian International Motor Show.


Branded the ‘Volvo S60 Polestar’, just 50 limited edition models will be made available to Australian buyers.

The Volvo S60 Polestar is based on Volvo’s S60 T6 R-Design and is the result of close collaboration between Volvo Car Australia and its performance partners, Polestar and Heico Sportiv.

The engine software upgrade comes from Volvo's motorsport partner, Polestar, which has most recently raced the Volvo C30 in the Swedish Touring Car Championships.

The S60 Polestar boasts 242 kW of power and a massive 480 Nm of torque, an increase of 18 kW and 40 Nm respectively over the standard S60 T6 R-Design. The result is a 0-100 km/h dash in 5.8 seconds (up from 6.1 seconds).
Despite the increased performance, the S60 Polestar has the same fuel economy (10.2 l/100km) and CO₂ emissions (243 g/km) as the Volvo S60 T6 R-Design.

Tuning company, Heico Sportiv, provided the exclusive 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels in addition to its performance quad-exhaust system and bespoke rear air diffuser, both designed to further accentuate the S60 Polestar’s exhaust note.

Each car will be individually numbered with a limited edition plaque located on the floating console to further reinforce the car's exclusivity.


Compared to the dynamic chassis offered across Volvo’s S60 range, the S60 Polestar shares the S60 R-Design’s sports suspension, which includes monotube damping at the rear, 15 per cent stiffer springs and 20 per cent stiffer bushings. The ride height is lowered by 15mm for even better road dynamics.

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• New benchmark in hybrid technology
• Integrated Starter Generator
• 2.3 l/100 km; 53g/km
• Combined power output of 257 kW; 0 – 100 in 6.1 sec

Volvo Car Corporation has unveiled its XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept at the North American International Auto Show, which features a new benchmark in hybrid technology.
"No other manufacturer delivers fuel economy and electrical range on this level in a capable performance car with a total of 350 horsepower (257 kW)," said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO, Volvo Car Corporation.


"The beauty with this plug-in hybrid technology is that you can keep all the power and capacity of your present car, combined with an even better range," Stefan Jacoby said.

"The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept gives you up to 35 miles all-electric range (56 km according to the U.S certification driving cycle). Or you can drive it as a super-efficient hybrid with a fuel economy of over 100 miles per gallon (2.3l/100 km) according to the European driving cycle."


An electric motor producing 51 kW - combined with a 206 kW four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine - also gives the driver a muscular power plant packing a total of 257 kW.

"The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept features an engine from our all-new, state of the art, four-cylinder engine family. Our new four-cylinder powertrains will get performance on today's six-cylinder level. At the same time, they will also give consumers better fuel economy than present four-cylinder engines," Stefan Jacoby said.

Pure Hybrid Power - three cars in one
The driver chooses the driving mode via three buttons on the instrument panel. The buttons give the car three distinct temperaments: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

• In Pure mode the car is powered solely by its electric motor. The operational range is up to 45 km (European certification driving cycle NEDC) / 56 km (charge depleting range, U.S certification driving cycle)with zero tailpipe emissions in urban traffic.
• Hybrid mode is the standard setting whenever the car is started. The petrol engine and electric motor cooperate to provide maximum driving pleasure with minimum environmental impact. According to the European certification driving cycle NEDC, the average fuel consumption rate is just 2.3 l/100 km with CO₂ emissions just 53g/km. The car has a total operating range of up to 960 km.
• In Power mode, the technology is optimised to create maximum possible power. The petrol engine with 206 kWand 380 Nm is combined with the electric motor with 51 kW and 200 Nm to deliver a total of 257 kW. The electric motor's instant torque delivery contributes to the car's acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.

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• Rear camera standard on all XC60 models
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) standard on all Teknik and R-Design models
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) including pedestrian detection now standard on all T6 Teknik and R-Design models
• New price point for XC60 D5 starting at $60,990 MLP
• More power and torque and improved efficiency for D5 engine
• Power operated tailgate standard on all models
• Keyless entry standard on all T6 Teknik and R-Design models
• High performance multimedia standard on all models
• Volvo Navigation System (VNS) standard on all R design and Teknik models.
• Active Bending Lights (ABL) standard on all Teknik and R-Design models
• New model naming structure

Volvo Cars Australia has made the popular XC60 luxury SUV even better value by adding more standard equipment across the range.

``The XC60 continues to be our top-selling model and with the MY12 versions we had the opportunity to make it even better value for money so we did,'' says Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Matt Braid.

The XC60 model line-up has been changed for MY12. Previously, option packages were offered with the XC60 but for MY12 these packages have been deleted and new models have been added with revised equipment. For example, instead of ordering a car and then adding the Teknik pack, there is now a Teknik version.

The R Design models now become the flagship version of each engine choice. The R Design model is now based on the Teknik version so incorporates all the extra equipment the Teknik models gain as well, not just the cosmetic and chassis changes they did for MY11.

The XC60 range now comprises 10 models and four engine choices. As with MY11 the T5 model opens the line-up and is priced from $54,990. The $840 price increase incorporates $2570 of extra equipment.

Volvo is renowned for the level of safety built into its cars and for 2012 it has once again upped the ante. The MY12 XC60 now boasts a rear camera standard across the range.

All XC60 models also now have the convenience of a power-operated tailgate as standard equipment.
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Stefan Jacoby Named President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars; New Board Unveiled

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. ("Geely Holding Group"), one of the fastest-growing car manufacturers in China, today announced it has completed the acquisition of 100 per cent of Volvo Car Corporation ("Volvo Cars") from Ford Motor Company.

Geely also announced that Stefan Jacoby, the Chief Executive of Volkswagen Group of America, would become President and Chief Executive Officer of Volvo Cars.

Li Shufu said: "This is a historic day for Geely, which is extremely proud to have acquired Volvo Cars. This famous Swedish premium brand will remain true to its core values of safety, quality, environmental care and modern Scandinavian design as it strengthens the existing European and North American markets and expands its presence in China and other emerging markets."

Stefan Jacoby, the new President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars, said: "I am honoured to join a company with the prestige and growth potential of Volvo. Our employees, suppliers, dealers - and above all our customers - can be confident that Volvo will preserve its special status as the industry leader in vehicle safety and innovation - even as it pursues new market opportunities."

Following completion of the transaction, Mr Stefan Jacoby will join the board of Volvo Cars, chaired by Li Shufu, Chairman of Geely Holding Group. The board will comprise several new directors including Hans-Olov Olsson, a former President and Chief Executive of Volvo Cars and a former Chief Marketing Officer of Ford, who will become Vice-Chairman of the board.

As announced on the signing of the stock purchase agreement on 28th March, 2010 Geely has agreed to pay USD 1.8 billion for Volvo Cars, which included a USD 200 million note with the balance paid in cash.

Geely issued the note and paid USD 1.3 billion in cash for Volvo Cars, utilising financing from Chinese institutions and its own balance sheet as well as international capital market resources. The closing consideration reflects adjustments in areas such as pension obligations and working capital.
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All-new frontal styling, a new look rear and interior upgrades give an even more exclusive, luxurious presence to the new Volvo C70, which is set to make a dramatic impact on Australian roads this autumn.

A stylish four-passenger coupé and open-to-the-elements convertible in one, the frontal styling of the C70 captures the bold new visual volume seen across today’s Volvo range that was first previewed on the S60 Concept Car shown to the world in early 2009.

The headlights now swoop elegantly into the upper section of the new front mudguards and are harmonised with larger, more stylised outer air vents in the new bumper.

At the back, the new C70 is identified by high tech LED taillights and a new, re-profiled rear bumper that helps give a wider, cleaner appearance.

C70 colour choices are enriched by a deep, Flamenco Red Pearl that is added to the range of no less than 12 colours.

"What we have done is to carefully redesign the front and rear so they harmonise more with both today's and tomorrow's Volvo models. We have also increased the exclusiveness of the materials and trim details to enhance the atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car," says Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.
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