The new Volvo XC60 - one of the safest cars in Singapore?

And if you buy an XC60 with its new City Safety feature, your insurance premiums will be lower by 15 percent. Why?

Confident that the new safety function will prevent many slow-traffic accidents and minor bumps, Volvo here decided to showcase what the City Safety was capable of doing to insurance provider, Allianz. The result? Customers who purchase the XC60 and get their insurance from Allianz will get the 15 percent discount.

The City Safety is a new addition to Volvo's already impressive list of safety-first technology. Realising that about 75 percent of collisions occur at speeds of up to 30 km/h, Volvo recognised that this was a good place to start introducing another solution to reduce any chances of traffic accidents for their new XC60.


How it works

Using laser sensors positioned behind the rear-view mirror, it can detect vehicles and other objects up to 10 metres ahead of the car's front bumper. Designed to prevent or minimise accidents which occur during slow traffic or city crawls, the system will not work if the XC60 is about to hit an on-coming vehicle.

It makes 50 calculations per second, determining how much braking force would be needed to avoid any collision, and works up to 30 km/h. The other criterion for the system to function optimally is when the speed difference between the two cars is 15 km/h or less.

If the situation is deemed too risky, the XC60 will brake by itself to a complete stop and hold the brakes for 1.5 seconds before letting the car slowly roll off again.

We got to test out the system in the new Volvo with a balloon car and were definitely impressed. The crossover utility vehicle managed to stop completely with a safe distance in between itself and the blow-up doll.

We can foresee this system saving many drivers from embarrassing bumps. With the City Safety, we are pretty sure that XC60 drivers won't be saying "oh sh*t!" the next time they pay a little less attention to the car ahead during heavy and slow-moving traffic. Another situation we can think of where this new feature is useful is during filter lane turns, where many motorists will drive through slowly and hope not to stop.

One thing drivers will need to know, though, is to ensure that its sensor isn't obstructed by dirt and that its capabilities may be impeded by heavy rain, fog or snow.

More safety

Another aspect worth commending on Volvo's latest is its remarkable score sheet after being crashed by the Euro NCAP guys. The XC60 received five stars and also an overall rating of green after being hit from the front, side and rear. Its Whiplash Protection System was also evaluated and deemed useful for protecting passengers from suffering neck injuries if they were hit.

Its respectable list of safety functions continue to read on, with other systems like the Pre-Prepared Restraints (PRS), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) are also available on the new XC60.


Not for the faint-hearted

While the crossover isn't going to stop your heart with an unworldly acceleration, it's no slouch either.

Volvo's president and CEO, Stephen Odell, says that this will be "an all-round car for the person who lives single in the city and for the young family taking the kids for a weekend of fun and adventure." He also added that they will be "aiming primarily at lifestyle rather than age".

With its all wheel drive and turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine, we agree that this car could be used for "a weekend of fun and adventure".

The T6 engine produces 285 horsepower and a very practical torque range, with 400 Nm available from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm. Zero to hundred is dealt with in just 7.5 seconds with its standard six-speed automatic gearbox.

And for those who are seriously thinking about going off-road with this S$167,000 baby (with COE), you might be glad to know that it has a decent ground clearance of 230 mm.

With its 4x40 Watt amplifier and eight-speaker system (there's also a Dynaudio optional extra), and a panorama roof, driving around in the city is also going to be much less boring.

The cars will be built in Volvo's factory in Ghent, Belgium and prices start at S$167,000 with COE.