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Volvo S80 First Car to Receive Best US SINCAP Rating

26 July 1999

Volvo S80 First Car to Receive Best US SINCAP Rating

    ROCKLEIGH, N.J., July 26 -- The Volvo S80 has become the
first passenger car to receive the highest rating (five stars driver, five
stars rear passenger) in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's
SINCAP (side impact) ratings program.
    This crash test simulates a typical intersection collision between two
vehicles, according to NHTSA.  After the 38.5 miles per hour side impact,
NHTSA engineers measured forces on the driver and rear passenger crash
test dummies to determine the vehicle's rating.
    "One of the safety features that debuted on the S80 is the Inflatable
Curtain, which helps protect front and rear seat occupants from head
injuries in certain side impacts," remarks Hans-Olov Olsson, President
and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. "It is very likely the
Inflatable Curtain played a role in the S80's performance in the SINCAP
test."
    Other safety features on the vehicle are the new Whiplash Protection
System, the Side Impact Protection System including side impact air bags, dual
front air bags with two trigger levels, three-point safety belts and Volvo's
award winning head restraints in all five seating positions.
    "In our safety research, Volvo explores many factors including actual
accident investigation and a wide variety and number of crash tests, then
develops cars referring to that broad base of knowledge, using a holistic
approach," explains Mr. Olsson.  "Real world accident data collected over time
show that the design and features of Volvos prioritize the safety of the cars
for real world situations."
    Over 18,000 S80s have been sold in the US in 1999 so far, placing the car
third in its very competitive sales segment.
    Since its introduction in October 1998, the S80 has received a variety of
awards including Strategic Vision's Total Quality Award, the European Design
Award, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's Best New Prestige
Car Award, Inside Automotives International's Automotive Interior of the Year,
and Australia's National Roads and Motorist Association's Luxury Car of the
Year.