ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (April 12, 2011) -- The Volvo XC70 and S80 are now being upgraded with a number of features that further emphasize the company's focus on cars designed around the needs and wishes of people in modern society.
The new features include the latest user-friendly Volvo Sensus infotainment system, enhanced technology that makes driving even safer and more comfortable. "These cars mark yet another step forward in our determination to be the brand that best interprets what buyers of modern prestige cars want. Concern for the individual's well-being is the very core of our Scandinavian origin. On this basis we create a logical, intuitive and ergonomically optimized driver's environment that promotes a feeling of relaxed control," says Volvo Cars' President and CEO Stefan Jacoby.
Volvo Sensus is an excellent example of how Volvo Cars refines the driver environment. The new infotainment system made its debut in the Volvo S60 in 2010. Now the Volvo XC60, XC70 and S80 also get the same feature.
Volvo Sensus - ergonomic high-tech
In Sensus, all information is presented on a standard seven-inch color screen in the upper part of the centre stack. The screen is positioned high up to make it easy for the driver to keep his or hers eyes on the road.
Pressing once on the "My Car" button in the centre stack offers access to a range of settings, such as for City Safety, Collision Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Driver Alert System, Active Cruise Control, lighting, door mirrors, climate unit, central locking and audio system.
The Bluetooth connection has been upgraded to allow not only hands-free phone conversations but also music streaming from your preferred Bluetooth enabled portable music player. Volvo is actually the only brand to offer Bluetooth music streaming throughout the entire vehicle range. Integrated navigation with voice commands is available as an option as well as an accessory entertainment system for rear-seat passengers.
Full control without distraction
All the functions can be controlled via buttons built into the steering wheel or via touch buttons located just below the color screen.
"Volvo Sensus does not distract the driver from driving. The idea is that the technology should be so intuitive that the user can maneuver the menus without having to first read through the instruction manual. We are one of the few manufacturers to offer the driver access to all the system's functions via buttons in the steering wheel," says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars.
World-class audio experience The most advanced audio unit, Premium, has a class D digital 5x130W amplifier, subwoofer, Dolby Digital in combination with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, the latest MultEQ from Audyssey Laboratories and 10 loudspeakers.
The market-leading MultEQ technology from Audyssey Laboratories eliminates the distortion that might otherwise be caused by the passenger compartment's particular acoustic properties. The result is crisper and clearer sound for everyone in the car.
Now also with Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, previously presented in the Volvo S60 and XC60, is now also available in the Volvo XC70 and S80. It is a support function designed to help the driver detect dangerous situations and it can actively help avoid the nightmare scenario of hitting a pedestrian.
Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake uses radar and a camera to monitor pedestrians in front of the car. The system initially provides a warning to alert the driver so he or she can brake or steer clear of the pedestrian. If the driver does not respond, the car automatically brakes with full force moments before the collision becomes unavoidable. With automatic braking, collisions can in certain circumstances be avoided at speeds below 22 mph.
If all cars had Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake, it is estimated that the number of pedestrian fatalities could be reduced by more than 20 percent. The reduction in serious injuries would be almost 30 percent. In three out of ten cases, a collision could be entirely avoided. Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake has somewhat impaired "vision" in certain conditions, for instance in the dark and in poor weather.
Adaptive cruise control down to standstill
The collision warning system has also been programmed to respond to vehicles in front that are at a standstill or are moving in the same direction. In certain situations, a collision can be avoided if the speed difference between the two vehicles is less than 22 mph.
In the area of comfort the Volvo XC70 and S80 can now be specified with the latest version of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Queue Assist, which automatically helps maintain a constant safety margin to the vehicle in front. What is new is that this system now operates all the way down to standstill. The car accelerates automatically once the traffic starts moving again.
City Safety as standard
One other new feature is that City Safety is standard in all three models. This system can lessen the severity of or entirely avoid low-speed rear-end collisions at speeds of up to 19 mph.
City Safety keeps a watch on vehicles in front with the help of a laser sensor built into the windscreen at the height of the rear-view mirror. The car automatically brakes if the driver does not respond in time when the car in front slows down or stops - of if the driver is driving too fast towards a stationary object. If the relative speed difference between the two vehicles is less than 9 mph, the collision can be entirely avoided. If the speed difference is between 9-19 mph, the speed of impact is reduced to help minimize the effects of the collision.
Other new features inside and out
Among the other new features in the Volvo XC70 and S80 are: New body colors Biarritz Blue for S80 and Twilight Bronze for XC70. Also for S80 will be LED turn indicators integrated into the door mirrors And two new wheel designs for the S80 and one for the XC70. Inside the passenger compartment there are two niew highlight coors for the uphostery, Blond (S80) and Espresso Brown (XC70). Additionally, the interior personalization package, Inscription, will include a leather dashboard. Redesigned interior lighting and new standard inlays will be featured on S80 (Classic Walnut wood) and XC70 (aluminum).
About Volvo
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (www.volvocars.com/us) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada. For more information please refer to the VCNA media website at: http://www.volvocars-pr.com/, and follow Volvo's blog at: http://www.volvoblog.us/.
