Equipment on new European models (2): PSA, Renault, GM, Ford, and Volvo
Volvo V40 features world's first pedestrian protection airbag
2012/10/24
- Summary
- PSA: features the four selectable driving modes and lane departure warning system in its premium model - Citroen DS5
- Renault: features a start/stop system and a multi-media system in the Clio compact car
- GM Europe: features active safety system including lane-departure warning system in Opel Mokka
- Ford Europe: features Torque vectoring control and collision mitigation brake system in the B-Max
- Volvo: features multiple collision safety systems and active safety equipment in the V40
Summary
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The following report summarizes the availability of major equipment used in new passenger cars that PSA, Renault, GM, Ford, and Volvo launched in Europe in and after the summer of 2011. Eight models are reported - one each by Peugeot, Citroen, Renault, Opel/Vauxhall, Chevrolet, and Volvo, and two by Ford (including a pickup truck). In driving stability equipment, Torque vectoring is becoming increasingly available; it applies a brake to the inside wheels when cornering and transmits higher torque to the outside wheels in order to minimize understeer. A start/stop system, improving fuel efficiency, is available to most of the brands. In visibility systems, High Beam assist, which automatically adjusts headlights from high-beam to dipped beam, is becoming increasingly available. Among the collision safety systems increasing in availability is the driver's knee airbag. In addition, in Europe, the improvement of pedestrian protection is required: pedestrian protection is emphasized in the collision safety test of Euro NCAP. Volvo has featured the world's first pedestrian airbag in its compact hatchback - the V40. Within driving and parking assist systems, more models have adopted active safety systems, including a lane departure warning system and a collision mitigation brake system. In this field, Volvo V40 also features a pedestrian detection system with an automatic brake to protect pedestrians. Equipment addressing greater comfort and convenience that have been used on more models include Automatic dual-zone air conditioning, which automatically controls the climate separately for the driver seat and the passenger seat. In addition, the integrative functions of the in-vehicle infortainment system and a smart phone are becoming more available. |
 Citroen's premium model: DS5  Volvo V40 that features world's first pedestrian airbag ((C) Response) |
Related reports:
Equipment on new European models (1): Daimler, BMW, and Volkswagen (October 2012)
Fetures on new US models (June 2012)
Features on new Japanese models (March 2012)
Features on new Hyndai/Kia vehicles (September 2012)
Advanced systems introduced by PSA, Renault, GM, Ford, and Volvo |
| (Models launched in Europe in and after the summer of 2011) |
| Driving stability (including fuel efficiency) |
Torque vectoring | Volvo V40, Ford B-Max |
|---|---|---|
| Start/stop system | Renault Clio, Opel Mokka, Chevrolet Aveo, Ford B-Max, Volvo V40 |
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| Visibility | High beam assist | Citroen DS5, Opel Mokka, Volvo V40 |
| Collision safety | Driver's knee airbag | Ford Ranger, Ford B-Max, Volvo V40 |
| Pedestrian airbag technology | Volvo V40 | |
| Driving/parking assist |
Lane departure warning system | Citroen DS5, Opel Mokka, Volvo V40 |
| Collision mitigation brake system | Ford B-Max, Volvo V40 | |
| Pedestrian detection system (with full automatic brake) | Volvo V40 | |
| Comfort & convenience |
Automatic dual-zone air conditioning | Peugeot 208, Citroen DS5, Opel Mokka, Ford Ranger, Volvo V40 |
| Integration of infortainment system and smart phone |
Chevrolet Aveo, Ford B-Max, Volvo V40 |
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