Talking About Automobiles

Volvo Cars of North America was very proud of the recognition given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the safety features found on the Volvo C70 convertible coupe model. During the recent crash test for convertible models conducted by IIHS, the Volvo C70 earned the "Top Safety Pick" award for frontal, side, and rear impact protection. The C70 earned the award along with the Saab 9-3.

Anne Belec, President and CEO, Volvo Cars of North America exclaimed: "For more than 80 years, Volvo has built cars with Safety in mind. We are extremely pleased to have done well in the Institutes' testing program. From the very start of our modern convertible program, our goal was to bring advanced technology and engineering skills into this flagship vehicle."

The Volvo C70 earned the Top Safety Pick from IIHS, thanks to the vehicle's numerous advanced safety features inside and out. These include the Inflatable Curtain (IC), four seats with seat belt pretensioners, side impact airbags, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), three-piece steering column designed to pivot up and collapse away from the driver, Volvo's Roll Over Protection System (ROPS), Rollover Protection pop-up roll bars, and energy absorbing body structure made of High Strength Steel, Extra High Strength Steel and Ultra-High Strength Steel (UHSS).

Volvo Cars installed the newest safety feature, the Inflatable Curtain to provide additional protection to side impact crashes. Ingrid Skogsmo, Director of Safety for Volvo Car Corporation explained how the IC works:

"As there are no roof members to which the curtain can be attached it is mounted in the door. When activated it is directed upwards. The curtain has an extra stiff construction with double rows of slats that are slightly offset from each other. This allows them to remain upright and offer effective head protection even with the window open. The curtain also deflates slowly to provide protection should the car roll over. This is a unique solution in the automotive world."