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Volvo Previews All-Electric XC40, Promises Safety Like Never Before

For a while, Swedish carmaker Volvo has been toying with electrified powertrains, but never before has it ventured head-on in the all-electric market. Next month that will change, as Volvo enters a new era with the launch of the electric version of the XC40 SUV.
Electric Volvo XC40 3 photos
Photo: Volvo
Electric Volvo XC40Electric Volvo XC40
What that exactly means from the powertrain and performance standpoint is at the moment unknown. All will be revealed on October 16, when the car is scheduled to be shown for the first time. But until then, Volvo decided to shed some light on how this car will forever change how safety is perceived at Volvo.

The carmaker calls this model “one of the safest cars on the road” thanks to both the materials and construction methods used.

The lack of a front-mounted engine that could have taken to full power of an impact has been overcome with a complete redesign of the front end, and its additional reinforcing.

The battery, located as in most other cars of its type in the middle of the car’s body structure, is protected by a safety cage made of extruded aluminum. This transforms in a built-in crumple zone and also helps lower the center of gravity for the SUV.

At the rear, crash protection is also ensured with the integration of the powertrain in the body structure, helping to distribute crash forces better, away from the cabin, and to protect those inside.

Additionally, the electric XC40 is the first-ever Volvo to use a new and yet undisclosed Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), developed together with Volvo's partner Zenuity.

“Regardless of what drives a car forward, be it an electric machine or combustion engine, a Volvo must be safe,” said in a statement Malin Ekholm, head of safety at Volvo Cars. “The fully electric XC40 will be one of the safest cars we have ever built.”

More details about the new XC40 will be revealed about two weeks from now.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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