Archive for July, 2009
Volvo Improves Braking Functions
To increase road safety Volvo a worldleading Swedish auto manufacturer improves its braking functions for the European market. If customers choose a Volvo truck with electronically controlled Brake System EBS in base form more functions are incorporated to it without the burden of paying extra cost.
Among the additional features now made available by the automaker are Hill Start Aid that prevents the truck from rolling backward when starting on an uphill gradient and Wheel Brake Monitoring that alerts the driver if the brake force on the wheels abruptly falls.
The EBS system incorporated in Volvo trucks can be ordered in 3 program packages: Standard Medium and High. The Standard package remains in the base version. Moreover the Medium version is already equipped with the EBS system. Moreover the base version has been upgraded with six new functions available for both semitrailers and rigids.
Power bleed Volvo brakes are now upgraded to boost safety in driving. “We are now providing our customers with an extremely high safety level as standard no matter the type of truck they order” said LarsGran Lwenadler safety director at Volvo Trucks. “This is entirely in line with our constant determination to increase safety for drivers and other roadusers alike.”
EBS system has a number of sensors and valves to monitor and regulate the braking system of the vehicle. Additionally it is possible now for the wheel and auxiliary brakes to interact with in just a short span of time to effectuate shortest viable braking distance in all sorts of driving situations. The braking force is also distributed optimally between the tractor and trailer. This is done to sustain stability even when braking.
The base range of Volvo trucks is now equipped with 6 functions. The first function is Hill Start Aid which makes it easier to move off on an uphill gradient by automatically maintaining brake pressure until the engine has built up sufficient torque to move the truck forward without slipping backward. This feature is significant when hauling a heavy load.
Another significant function is the Panic Brake Assistance which is designed to boost brake pressure in a panic braking situation. The system registers when the driver presses the brake pedal quickly to help cut the stopping distance. Other functions include the Wheel Brake Monitoring Lining Wear Analysis and Differential Lock Control. These functions contribute significantly to improve road safety in driving.
About the writer: Kenneth McKinley is a 35year old marketing specialist of voparts.com a leading Volvo parts dealer in the country today. Working in the car parts industry for a long time now and being a car enthusiast himself gives him a wealth of knowledge on anything automotive.
Volvo Has Safety Written All Over It
Volvos are known for being extremely safe cars. They are so safe in fact that Volvo has started a “Volvo Saved My Life” Club. This club recounts the many moments in which Volvo drivers have been saved by the safety features of these amazing vehicles.
The Volvo v70 and Volvo s70 comes with standard with numerous safety features that you don’t want to miss out on. These safety features may be what put you in Volvo’s special club.
The Volvo line of cars begins with the SafetyCage Passenger Compartment. This feature is complete with front and rear crumple zones that are able to dissipate and distribute the collision force. This reduces the physical strain on the car’s passengers. There are also roof pillars and transverse roof profiles that would prevent the car caving in should it roll. The side collision impact system also distributes the force of a collision to the side of a car.
The second feature is the SideImpact Protection System. This reduces injuries in the event of a side impact. The car’s body is designed to reduce the deformation that occurs to a car when hit form the side.
In many frontend collisions individuals are often harmed by the steering shaft. In a Volvo s70 you will find a collapsible steering column that is designed to prevent the penetration of the steering column into the vehicle’s cabin.
In rear end collisions whiplash is a common injury. These injuries are created by the catapult effect that occurs when a vehicle is rearended. In the event of an accident to the rear of the vehicle the Whiplash Protection Seating System is activated. There are two phases involved with this feature. The first is a wire frame and the limitedtravel spring system. These features prevent your body from being pressed deeply into the seat. The second is a system that allows the seat to actually move backwards and prevent the person from being thrown forwards. This system is designed to work at speeds of up to 20 mph as this is when whiplash injuries occur the most.
The airbag system on a Volvo is like not other car. There are threestep airbags with a driver’s and passenger side kneepads. A driver and a passenger will often need protection for their knees. Many knee injuries occur in accidents that are frontend collisions. The driver and the front passenger are often thrown forwards in these types of accidents and the knees may be jammed into the lower console.
These are just a few safety features that are found in the Volvo s70 and Volvo v70 but there are many more additional features that may be found in each car as well.
About the writer: Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.
Volvo Expanding Its Wagon Lines Of Vehicles
It is expected that with the early arrival of the XC60 crossover Volvo will have five wagons or crossovers. And the good news is that its only the beginning.
Volvo is presently examining the possibility of moving both upscale and down market from existing lineup of the V50 V70 XC90 and XC60 company executives said in an interview at the recent Detroit Auto Show.
According to Steven Armstrong Volvo Car Corporation COO “Volvo is wellknown for its versatility. We were producing crossovers before the term was even invented. There are still plenty of opportunities to fill in gaps with new things.”
Volvo has created a conceptual luxury wagon which they call the Versatility Concept Car. They have previously introduced this concept wagon at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show and will be renamed V90 once it is produced. The luxury wagon concept just like any concept vehicle is loaded with only the best auto parts imaginable even the Volvo coil springs loaded on it are made extra special.
Volvo is also studying the possibility of producing smaller crossovers much smaller in size than the XC60 said Lex Kerssemakers Volvo Car Senior Vice President of brand business and product strategy.
The XC60 is about the same size as the BMW X3 or Acura RDX and rides on Ford Motor Corporations EUCD platform which also produces the S80 flagship sedan. But so far it is only the V50 that is considered to be the only people hauler that rides on Fords C1 platform. According to Armstrong such a vehicle would be a logical move for people who entered the Volvo brand with the C30 hatchback or S40 sedan.
And as for the V90 Kerssemakers said that it is “high on my wish list but we have to be realistic. There’s a limit to what a small organization can do.” If theres one segment that Volvo will not venture in its the minivans segment. Kerssemakers said “The XC90 is our sevenseat interpretation. We’re happy with it. Our customers are happy with it.”
One of the factors that is holding back Volvo from venturing in the minivans segment is its lack of engineering resources. Kerssemakers said that Volvo needs to ensure that its current lineup is profitable before it can try to expand into new arenas. He also added “All those variants cost a lot of money. But it is easier to cancel or reduce volumes of a vehicle than to suddenly have to play catchup.”
Volvo accounted nearly half of its US sales in 2006 on its wagons and crossovers lines.
V50 4138
V70 5602
XC70 13132
XC90 33200
Total is 56072 or 115807 of sales.
About the writer: Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.