New Volvo S40 Gets Top Results In Four Crash Tests
Published: 25th June 2004
Volvo S40
- Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme)
- US NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme)
- US - IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety)
- Folksam (Swedish insurance company) and SNRA (Swedish National Road Administration)
Euro NCAP - 5 Stars
Euro NCAP performs a frontal offset impact and side impact tests against another vehicle and a pole. The new Volvo S40 achieved the maximum rating of 5 stars. 2 stars were awarded for pedestrian protection.
US NCAP - 5 stars
US NCAP, run by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tests the level of protection offered to both the front and rear seat, impact side occupants in a side impact crash, and both achieved the maximum rating of 5 stars in the new Volvo S40.
IIHS - 'Best Pick'
The IIHS evaluates the effects of frontal impact tests in three categories – passenger compartment deformation, injuries to front seat occupants and the effectiveness of seatbelts and airbags. The Volvo S40 scored top marks in all three categories, awarding it the IIHS 'Best Pick' in its class.
Folksam/SNRA - Best Whiplash Protection
Joint crash test analyses by Folksam and the SNRA of 14 different seats found that the Volvo S40, which incorporates the Volvo WHIPS system as standard, offered the highest levels of whiplash protection level in a rear impact collision. As a consequence it becomes one of two models to earn the accolade of "Best Pick". Last year the Volvo V70 was similarly acclaimed.
'Crash tests and these kinds of surveys can only take one or a few aspects of a vehicle's overall safety level into account and provide a general indication of a car's safety level,' says Ingrid Skogsmo, head of the Volvo Safety Centre in Sweden.
'However, at Volvo Cars we believe in a more holistic approach using our extensive knowledge from real life accidents, controlled crash tests and computer simulation. As with every Volvo, we have developed the new Volvo S40 as a very safe car, and this is now being confirmed by these independent tests. This is very encouraging but we will, of course, remain committed to our guiding principle, to continue to enhance overall occupant protection in real life accidents,' she concludes.
For more information about the Volvo model range [ click here ]
Volvo S40
Our Volvo S40 Guide lists the full specification of the current UK S40 range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £14,295 - £23,635
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 26
We have road tested the Volvo S40, to read our in-depth car review:
Volvo S40 Review - May 2006
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 21st Sep 2008
