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Detroit Auto Show 2001 - Day 2 Highlights |
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The Volvo Safety Concept Car (SCC) focuses on active safety andon features that will help all motorists become safer drivers, such as a see-through A-pillar, rather than merely adding new airbags and further developed crumple zones. It also demonstrates that Volvo is at the cutting edge of advanced technology in the interests of safer driving. "A main ambition with the Safety Concept Car was to create ‘superior vision’. Another ambition was to implement modern technology in order to support the driver and make driving safer. This was achieved by combining traditional engineering with advanced electronics and design," explains Hans Gustavsson, Head of Research, Product Development and Purchasing at Volvo Cars. The SCC tackles the problem created by conventional A- and B-pillars of obstructed visibility at an angle to the front and across the shoulder to the rear. Volvo’s solution enables the driver to see through the A-pillars, thanks to a framework structure made of a combination of metal and plexiglass. The B-pillar curves inwards and follows the shape of the seat frame to provide better visibility to the rear. The SCC has a sensor that automatically catches the drivers’ eyes and adjusts the seat to put the eyes in the position which offers best view for both road and dashboard instruments. "Drivers receive more than 90 per cent of the most critical information from outside the vehicle. If we can enhance the quality of this visual information, we can also give drivers a better chance of avoiding collisions. This is a top priority area in the Volvo SCC," says Hans Gustavsson. Volvo pioneered seatbelts in cars, and the SCC features two kinds of four-point belt integrated in the seat frame: the CrissCross Belt (X4) and the Centre Buckle Belt (V4). The CrissCross Belt is a conventional three-point belt supplemented with an extending diagonal chest belt from the shoulder to the hip. The Centre Buckle Belt is similar to the type of safety belt previously used in rally and racing cars. The car and its remote control communicate with each other automatically, with and without the driver being involved and enhances both the safety and security aspects of the car. This system is called the Volvo Personal Communicator (VPC) and includes a heartbeat sensor which registers heartbeats inside the parked car. This sensor informs the driver if someone has broken into the car and is hiding there – or acts as a reminder if a child or animal has been left in the car. The Volvo Car Corporation leads the development of car safety within the entire Ford Motor Company, which has chosen to locate its Centre of Excellence for Safety at Volvo Cars headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. A number of the group’s research and development safety projects have been gathered together in the SCC which has been designed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Centre in California. Volvo ACC The Volvo Adventure Concept Car (ACC) marks Volvo’s first expression of SUV-like form and function. The market for car-like SUVs has grown dramatically with successful vehicles like the Lexus RX300 and BMW X5 changing our perception of what an SUV can be. The ACC is much taller than any production Volvo car and takes the Cross Country idea to the next level. The seating position is higher and the vehicle is more capable. The look of the ACC is very tough and aggressive. Broad shoulders, which help define the Volvo body side, also communicate strength and safety. In fact, everything about the exterior and interior looks substantial and vault-like - if a little heavy. From the headlamps to the instrument cluster to the wheels, the ACC comes across as a very serious and strong looking vehicle. Contributing to this look is the industrial, gun metal metallic finish on the exterior with accents of black, chrome and brushed metallic. Also on the exterior, details such as the wheel arch moldings appeared somewhat “unfinished”. The moldings seemed to end abruptly without integrating into the body side or front fascia. The wheel arch surface fit compounded by a color change really highlighted this unusual feature of the design. Likewise, the integration of the rear fascia to the rear quarter and wheel arch also seemed a little broken up. Overall, the ACC truly demonstrated what a nice addition to the Volvo portfolio it would be.
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| Copyright © 2001 Car Design News, Inc. |
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