Volvo wins safety awards at What Car?

Date: 17/1/2011

Volvo has won the prize for vehicle safety at this year's What Car? awards.

The automobile manufacturer picked up the accolade for its Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake system, which was originally launched on the all-new S60 and is also now available on the V60 and XC60.

Using a combination of laser, radar and camera facilities to recognise any human measuring 80cm or taller or a vehicle ahead, the technology automatically deploys the brakes if it senses an oncoming impact.

Drivers will be alerted to a possible upcoming obstruction by an audible alarm and flashing lights to give them time to brake or steer away and if this is not acted upon, the car will use the brakes automatically at full force just moments before the collision becomes unavoidable.

Peter Rask, Regional President of Volvo Car UK, Ireland and Iceland, said: "Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake is [...] helping us towards our mission that no-one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020."

Other winners at the What Car? awards included the Range Rover Evoque, which was named the most exciting car to be launched in 2011.

Posted by Sarah Bailey