Volvo was founded in 1927 and since the end of WW2 has been at forefront of safety, logging a huge number of innovations that have become industry norms. Volvo also became synonymous with family transport through its distinct estate cars. But as large 4×4 vehicles started to become the family vehicle of choice in the huge US market, Volvo was under pressure to respond with the similar vehicle. But many in the cautious Swedish company were not convinced. Not only was it a trend that might burn itself out, most of the popular SUVs were not much more than converted light trucks. Volvo’s safety specialists were also concerned by the tendency for tall vehicles to turn over during violent maneuvers (a potentially fatal incident in a conventional truck based SUV, which lacked high strength roof pillars). In a head on collision with a conventional saloon, the ride height of an SUV could also allow it ‘override’ the car’s nose, preventing the car’s airbags from triggering and putting huge crash forces into the car’s cabin. Eventually, the Volvo XC90 was unveiled in 2001. It was based on the company’s tough P2X road car chassis and managed to provide seven seats, the option of a long flat load bay and a range of capable five six and V8 engines.
Volvo addressed its safety concerns by building the XC90 with exceptionally strong roof pillars and fitting the car with a roll over protection system, which could apply the brakes on individual wheels to help prevent the car tipping over. The XC90 also had a low mounted crash beam in the nose to ensure that if it hit a salon head on, the car’s airbags would trigger. The XC90 was a huge hit and provided Volvo with a much needed sales boost in the first years of the new century.
