Volvo's City Safety automatic braking system, which will be fitted as standard to the new Volvo XC60, has been praised by insurance organisation Thatcham.
Volvo XC60 02 - City Safety Automatic Braking System.
City Safety was one of three similar technologies investigated by Thatcham. "All three systems offer increased protection," says Thatcham's Head of Resesarch Matthew Avery, "and Volvo's system in particular impressed everyone with its autonomous function and because it intervenes at the last possible instant and can completely avoid a collision."
City Safety operates at speeds of up to 20mph, which is said to be the range in which 75% of all collisions occur. As an option, the XC60 will have Collision Warning With Autobrake, which provides a similar function at higher speeds.
Volvo is talking with insurance companies in Europe and North America about applying lower premiums to cars fitted with City Safety.