I guess this is a milestone of sorts in the evolution of crash protection from being a specialty feature of Volvo and into being something for everyone. I am also sure that a chorus of apologists will arise claiming that the IIHS test is somehow flawed. To those people I ask: When Volvo does well on IIHS tests, doesn't Volvo brag about it?
Here is the news release from IIHS today:
A few exerpts:
Volvo is acceptable: The S60's performance was not as good as the A4's or Malibu's. With the standard curtain airbags, head protection was good. But forces on the driver dummy's pelvis were high.
"Even though the S60 has standard torso airbags for front-seat occupants along with the curtains, a fractured pelvis for the driver would be likely in a real-world crash like this," Lund says. "Volvo still has some work to do to improve the S60's performance." >>>>>>>>>>
Granted the Malibu they speak of is equipped with optional side air bags while the Volvo has them standard. However, the Audi A4 and Saab 9-3 also did better than the S60.
Volvo is no longer the clear leader in crash protection.
John
'96 854 110,000 miles '72 1800ES 108,000 miles