Volvo’s most recent contribution to the development of automotive safety technologies is set to be showcased by its two newest estate models, the Volvo V70 and the Volvo XC70. Both come with the dual stage integrated child booster seat that also feature two height position measurements that intensive researches had revealed to be quite perfect for growing families. This, among a number of Volvo auto parts that the aforementioned cars have, are the newest of its kind in the industry.

Incorporating factors of child safety into the design, this feature was the culmination of meticulous and extensive work in the company’s cutting edge crash test laboratory that is located at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre in Sweden. With a 154-metre fixed track at the company’s disposal, as well as a 108-metre movable test track that can be fused to allow for the recreation of monumental collisions displaying differing degrees of impact, angles and speeds, the Safety Centre of Volvo employs a supercomputer along with top quality film cameras and crash simulator machines. A total of 400 full-scale crash tests go with the thousands of virtual crashes that are simulated for study by the laboratory’s computer mainframe each and every year.

Travel On Backwards

The rear-facing child seat that one can find in nearly a number of models—numbering among the Volvo V70 parts and Volvo XC70 parts—is the conclusion the company came to after careful and meticulous bouts of study and analysis. Children that haven’t reached three or four years old, at the least, are better off riding in rear-facing seats.

In the event of frontal impacts—which is most often the most fatal and risky impact situation as opposed to rear and side impacts—in a forward facing seat, the child will end up with an inordinate amount of pressure against its neck since its uncommonly large head, until the rest of its body, won’t be restrained. Whereas, in a rear-facing seat, the the power of the crash are spread over the back and head of the child, lessening the pressure on the neck and reducing the risk of severe neck or spinal impairment.

In Volvo’s tests, results display that forward-facing seats afford 80% greater protection than if the child were to use no restraints at all. Not a bad deal, all in all. However, tests regarding the rear-facing seats of Volvo garnered 90% better protection in the case of unexpected collisions. With a rear-facing seat, tiny tots are less likely to be harmed in the of accidents occurring.

Belts to Boosters

The placement of the safety belt is paramount since when crashes happen, the position of the safety belt –of its reach—will do a great deal to either improve or worsen the situation for passengers. Stronger areas of the body like the upper torso and pelvis can handle the pressure of the belt tension while softer areas like the stomach must be protected. Otherwise, an excessive amount of force applied to the stomach may result into a number of internal damage.

Given this situation, Volvo Belts are designed to be placed tightly across the pelvis, in the lowest possible position, as opposed to setting it over the soft and vulnerable abdominal tissues, with the torso belt running across the chest, never under the arm or behind the back. If the belt touches the neck though, there is no problem.

Volvo, from then till now has always put forward a strong emphasis on safety features, as is obvious in its latest car model, the new Volvo V70 set to make its debut in UK markets by summer of this year. From a number of brilliant involvements that produced a great portion of safe-effective Volvo Belts, Volvo includes the new Volvo V70 among their ranks.

Just take Volvo’s child in-car safety. The in-car set-up allows pregnant women to adjust the seat accordingly until they can reach the pedals with ease, permitting considerable space between the steering wheel and their bellies. They can, in addition, pull the lap belt over their thighs—instead of over the belly and buckle it in. Belt tension in this position is assured and thus pregnant drivers can lock the belts tight. How is this done, one may ask? The belt is secured under the curve of the belly, saving the passenger from any unnecessary discomfort. After locking it in, the belt can sit evenly on the left side of the bely so passengers can pull them tight without worry. Expectant mothers, of course, must remember to put the torso belt right across the chest then to the side of the belly before pulling tight—and never tucking the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back since this is likely to cause pain not only to the mother but to the baby as well.

In the case of a newborn child, the rearward facing infant seat is handy and a practical addition to one’s Volvo Accessories. One must bear in mind at all times to never allow the baby to sit upright for a bit too long since the baby’s muscles are not—as of yet—used to such exertions. Pick the baby up every few moments or lay the infant on its back or stomach to give the leg muscles a break. Do these when the car is parked out of the way and not while negotiating the streets or highways. Keep in mind to always turn off the passenger airbag function of the car for the front passenger seat each time the child occupies the seat. On the other hand, if the child is positioned in a rear seat, one must then outfit the car with an accessory mirror so the child will still be able to see the mother and the mother, in turn, can check on the baby comfortably.

A child who no longer requires the security of a rear-facing seat but who happens to be a wee shorter than 140 cm and who is not yet 12 years of age would do well to employ a booster cushion along with the use of the seat belt—the booster cushion reduces the risk of danger by more than 75% than if the child were left unrestrained at all.

This relentless pursuit for driving excellence and safety has made Volvo—and accompanying Volvo auto parts–the number one choice for a number of households across international markets. Not only do all Volvo car models carry ISOFIX attachments along in their line-up of standard equipment, all Volvo saloon, estate and cross country models provide the security and comfort of integrated booster seats. This is one of the Volvo V70 parts and Volvo XC70 parts—both estate models from the Swedish auto parts maker and auto manufacturer

Last year, the Volvo C70 2006 was finally launched to wide consumership. A commendable addition to the queue of sedan models bearing the marque of the Swedish car manufacturer, Volvo, now the 2007 C70 has received favorable responses as well as it follows in the 2006 C70’s footsteps, notably from its North American audience base. The North American market has demonstrated strong support to the car model since the inception of the first generation C70 that first appeared in 1998.

The main point of difference that the latest C70—the 2007–offers is the retractable roof feature it comes along with. The operation lasts for only 90 seconds and not a second or two over so say consumers can definitely bid a merry adieu to other convertibles that have hardtops that take an interminable length of time before they straighten out.

While first generation Volvo C70s are divided into two categories—coupes and cabriolet—the current Volvo C70 fuses these two together in its design. Thus, those who wish to enjoy the charms of wind-in-the-hair driving may opt to take down the roof while those who do not care for that thought may simply choose to leave the top on.

The dual quality of the Volvo C70 is not its only draw though it does make a number of the others pale in comparison. Having a coupe and cabriolet in one vehicle is certainly a coup for a number of consumers who want the reliable convenience of a coupe at all times while having the chance to indulge in the occasional yen for driving excursions with the top down.

As Volvo plans to launch an improved C70 by 2008, it is a sure bet that the company will implement improvements on the existing design to produce another ace. Since the C70 is techie-laden, the 2008 model is certain to be at an instep that’s even higher with regards to technological prowess.

With a heap of safety features in tow, the C70 has always been one of the safest cars to drive around and the 2008 C70 won’t be any different. With the statistics of vehicular accidents continuing to rise, one can only be grateful for such additions. For speed enthusiasts, the C70 delivers as well. From a 218 horsepower, the turbocharged 2.5 liter in line five that previous C70s were designed with will now enjoy up to 227 horsepower. In addition, a six speed manual or a five speed automatic gearbox is included in the front driver panel. These materials often prove helpful to the average driver hankering to get behind the wheel of the Volvo C70.

As for Volvo Accessories, the 2007 C70 boasts of a cockpit of finely detailed fixtures. It has a laminated Oakwood trim along the center control panel, console and door handles that succeeds in giving the car a much flashier look than the aluminum trim that it used to have. These are simply some of the most charming of the C70 parts.

With all these, one can expect great things from the 2008 C70 when its time finally comes around.