Volvo
S70
| Front and side impact rating |
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Pedestrian test rating |
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Test Scores: Front 7(44%) Side 18(100%) Overall 25(74%) Pedestrian 18(50%)
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The Volvo's
performance was almost good enough to earn it a fourth star. This
car gained full marks in the side-impact test, (a commendation for
Volvo's SIPS protection system) and it easily passes legislation
taking effect from October. This performance was not fully matched
by the protection given to occupants in the frontal impact, however
– the driver's legs and feet were inadequately protected. And the
absence of a knee bolster (a production omission) meant a frontal
impact re-test was allowed. In the pedestrian tests, head protection
was good but it proved poor for legs.
The Volvo S70 obtained a high-scoring three-star Euro NCAP rating
when the car was first tested in 1998. When Euro NCAP decided to
include a pole test in its crash assessment protocols, Volvo
commissioned one such test to prove that the head-protecting airbag
that has been fitted as standard on S70s from the 1998 model year
would satisfy the test requirements. The car did just that. The
improvement in occupant protection for side impact that the test
demonstrated now earns the 1999 S70 the coveted four-star Euro NCAP
rating. The airbag tested is a seat-mounted thorax device that has
an upper chamber to provide protection for the head. |
Impact
Protection
|
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| Driver
Front Impact |
Passenger
Front Impact |
Driver
Side Impact |
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Frontal
Impact
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| The
bodyshell remained stable and any distortion of the passenger cabin
was minor. Contact between the driver's head and airbag was judged
to be stable, although this was a marginal decision because the
dummy's head rolled to the left as its body reached the limit of its
forward travel. The front belts had reel mounted pre-tensioners.
Post-impact examination of the car discovered hard contact points in
the area the driver's knees would hit. The car's underside was
damaged by the impact and there was a big fold and a sharp tear to
the floorpan's right-hand side. There were also other openings at
foot level in the firewall, one behind the brake pedal, another at a
seam to the left-hand side of the wheel arch. |
Side
Impact
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| The
impact triggered the seat-mounted side airbags on both sides of the
car. The driver's airbag protected his chest and abdomen but his
pelvis struck the inner door trim, which was supported by a
cardboard structure. The car achieved a maximum score in this aspect
of testing, an impressive result. |
Child
Restraint
|
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| The
restraints used were Volvo-branded non-universal seats approved
under R44.03 for children weighing 3-18kg. These seats are designed
to face rearwards and were also braced against the car floor. They
proved compatible with the car's adult belts and provided good
protection. |
Pedestrian
Protection
|
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| The
bumper and bonnet leading edge of the Volvo were hard and offered
pedestrians little protection. However, the bonnet top came close to
fully meeting the draft regulations on pedestrian protection. It
came close to achieving three stars, which would have been a first
for this part of the tests. |
Model
history and safety equipment
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| The
S70 was launched in Dec '96. A driver airbag, side airbags,
automatic height-adjusting front belts, pre-tensioners, ABS and
power steering are fitted to cars sold in the EU. A passenger airbag
and traction control are options. Test modifications available on
factory orders from June 29, 1998. |
| Make,
model and hand of drive |
Volvo
S70 2.0/2.5 10V LHD |
| Body
type |
4-door
saloon |
| Model
year |
1998 |
| Kerb
weight |
1430
kg |
| VIN
and date when rating applies |
YV1LS4102W1553794 |
|
