Volvo XC60 Gets Pedestrian Detection, Australian Availability Unclear

Debuting as part of the Volvo S60's safety options (due to launch in Australia next month), Volvo has this week confirmed overseas availability of its new Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake system for the XC60 compact SUV.

Revealed last year, Volvo's new Collision Warning With Full Auto Brake And Pedestrian Detection system features in the S60, designed to track and anticipate the path of pedestrians and other vehicles, reacting accordingly.

According to Volvo, the system can, on its own, completely avoid any collision below 35km/h.

At higher speeds, the system will both alert the driver and slow the vehicle, lessening the risk and assisting the driver’s reaction time.

In an emergency situation the driver first receives an audible warning combined with a flashing light in the windscreen's head-up display. At the same time, the car's brakes are pre-charged. If the driver does not react to the warning and an accident is imminent, full braking power is automatically applied.

Australia

Offered as a cost option on US and European-market models, Australian availability of the advanced safety system has yet to be confirmed - although the possibility exists that Volvo will hold off on offering the package locally until after it debuts with the S60 in December.

Volvo Australia has been contacted for details.

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The Australian-delivered XC60 is well-stocked on the safety front as it is, offering Volvo's City Safety system, automatically braking if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops, or if he or she is driving too fast towards a stationary object.

Optional safety features include lane departure warning, a blind spot monitoring system and radar-assisted cruise control.

Active safety features include a full complement of front, front side and curtain airbags, as well as front pretensioning seatbelts. Volvo’s anti-whiplash technology is standard, as is an extra-strong passenger safety cell.