"Zero is the one and only alternative for us. As the leader in car safety we can't accept that people are killed or injured just because they want to transport themselves from A to B," says Jan Ivarsson, head of Safety Strategy at Volvo Cars.

Environmental care is another of Volvo Cars core values, which is why Volvo Car South Africa will soon launch its DRIVe range locally. The DRIVe badge is attached to cars in the Volvo range that have the best environmental performance in their class.

Also, in 2005 the Volvo S40 2.4i was crowned as the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists Car of the Year.

Volvo XC60

World-class audio system

Volvo’s world-class audio systems are part of the First Class experience inside the new XC60. The highest level, the optional Premium Sound sytem, features 12 Dynaudio loudspeakers and an amplifier with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround delivering 5 x 130 Watt. An optional digital subwoofer under the floor in the XC60’s load compartment provides an additional 260 Watt.

The sound can be optimised to suit three different situations – driver’s seat, both front seats or rear seat.

Volvo’s mid-level High Performance sound system is standard equipment in the XC60 range in South Africa. It includes 8 High Performance loudspeakers, a 4 x 40 Watt amplifier and an integrated 6-disk front-loading CD player.

The High Performance and Premium Sound systems have a function to play MP3 and WMA-format CDs, which means the CD changer can store several hundred tracks. Both systems provide an auxiliary (AUX) input jack for connecting equipment such as a portable MP3 player or iPod, and a USB port also makes it possible to plug in an iPod, MP3 player or USB memory stick with music tracks.

Clean Zone Interior for added comfort

In order to give allergy sufferers an even better in-car climate, the new Volvo XC60 can be equipped with Clean Zone Interior, a system that is based on ECC (Electronic Climate Control) and IAQS (Interior Air Quality System).

When the car is unlocked with the remote control, the passenger compartment is automatically ventilated for about a minute if the outdoor temperature is above 10 ⁰C. Clean Zone Interior has been recommended by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association.

The interior trim materials and other details have been selected to give off minimum levels of dangerous substances.

The new XC60 is also the first Volvo that meets the forthcoming European Union standard for type approval regarding reusability, recyclability and recoverability.

Volvo XC60 Awards