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Volvo has released teaser images of the new XC60 SUV ahead of its Geneva show reveal. The pictures hint at a design language similar to its XC90 big brother, with the trademark "Thor's Hammer" headlights flanking a large grille, while the taillights also sport a familiar appearance.
The Swedish maker is keeping most of the car's details under wraps until March 7th, but it has announced information on some of the safety technology that will feature. Volvo aims to eradicate all deaths and serious injuries in its new cars by 2020, and autonomous aids are a major factor in helping to reach this target.
Malin Ekholm of Volvo's Safety Centre stated: "We have been working with collision-avoidance systems for many years and we can see how effective they are. In Sweden alone we have seen a decline of around 45 per cent in rear-end frontal crashes thanks to our Collision Warning with Autobrake system. With the XC60 we are determined to take the next step in reducing avoidable collisions, with the addition of steering support and assistance systems."
The outgoing City Safety and Blind Spot Information systems have been upgraded to allow automatic steering assistance when a potential collision is detected, and a new Oncoming Lane Mitigation feature (active at speeds between 60-140km/h) guides the car back into its own lane if it detects that the driver has unwittingly swayed into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Other safety aids currently available on 90 series cars will also feature, such as Large Animal Detection and Run-off Road Mitigation.
We'll bring you more information on the XC60 as soon as we get it.