Volvo and Safety

Under construction.
Also see OzBrick's crash stories to see exactly why you need this stuff!

 

 
Subject:          volvo crashworthiness
   Date:          Sat, 4 Oct 2003 04:16:50 EDT
   From:        Absolutjohnson79@aol.com

hey Oz,
Just read the debate on why Volvo's fare so well in crashes, and just had to add my thoughts on the subject. Superior design, crumple zones, and airbags all play key roles in protecting the passenger. One factor that was left out was the quality of the materials that Volvo uses in their cars. An audio installer that was cutting a hole in my rear deck to make room for some new stereo equipment couldn't get over how tough it was to cut through the Volvo sheetmetal. He'd worked on cars from Cadillac, Lexus, everything but an old Volvo. He told me about how easy it was to cut through metal on the American cars, but that he had to replace his saw blade three times to get through the Volvo metal. This has to have a sizable effect on how well Volvo's survive crashes. Thanks for the great site!

    Matt Johnson 
 

 

 
 
SIPS

Volvo's SIPS system safety cage (as found on the 850 & onwards) absorbs and displaces energy in a side impact.

The system's effectiveness during side impacts lies in the strength of structure across the car, crossmembers in the floor and reinforced seats with load bearing cylindrical elements. In the middle of the car between the seats is a SIPS-box, an energy absorbing box design that absorbs crash energy from the seat tubes, redistributing it to the other side of the car and downwards to the floorpan. The sturdy B pillar is designed to transfer crash energy at its base and its upper part continues as a strong member across its roof. The doors are equipped with energy absorbing elements between the inner and outer panels. The width of the car also contributes to the system as it allows greater effectiveness for energy absorbing elements in the doors and the redistribution of energy.

Compared to a car without side impact protection, the velocity at which the body of the occupant is hit by the door panel has been greatly reduced.
 
links - safety related information
 


 
 

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