tt Tit Lr v TNT \ LU mM Mey, ( Retaining Its Lead In The Field Of Safety (NAPSA)—While it was never intended for extreme off-road driving, the Volvo XC90 combines electronically controlled all-wheel drive and enough ground clearance to keep moving safely when road surfaces get rough. The feeling of safety that the high-seating position gives the driver is supplemented with the knowledge that the driver can control the car with the help of instant, well-weighted response from the chassis, engine and brakes. Progress is thus more relaxed and comfortable. The chassis in the Volvo XC90, Volvo’s first-ever SUV, is designed to give the vehicle the same ride and road holding as a premium passengercar. It is based on the chassis of the Volvo S80, S60 and V70, cars renowned for their excellent road manners. In the Volvo XC90, the suspension has been upgraded and dimensioned to handle heavier loads and higher ground clearance. A well-insulated rear suspension makes for a quieter ride, while the independent MacPherson front suspension and new ZF steering gear promotes increased precision and sharp response. The braking system in the Volvo XC90 is dimensioned to help stop the vehicle safely, even when it is fully loaded with seven people and their luggage. With the XC90’s entry into the SUV market, there is increased focus on several new areas. One of has never been more evident thanit is in their first SUV. them is rollover accidents, where the vehicle rolls over onto its roof one or moretimes. Volvo’s Roll-Over Protection System, ROPS, tackles the prob- lem from two directions. The car features an award-winningstability-enhancing system, Roll Stability Control (RSC) which decreases the risk of rolling over in the first place. If the Volvo XC90 should experience a rollover, the passive safety systemsstep in. The goal is to reduce the risk of the occupants’ heads from coming into contact with the car’s interior roof panels or sides. Volvo has reinforced parts of the roof structure with Boron steel, which is four or five times stronger than normal steel. With these additional safety features, Volvo will continue to lead the race in creating a safer, more consumer-friendly car.
