Volvo seats get top scores in 2008 Thatcham whiplash tests

Volvo continues to be on top in whiplash safety after achieving high scores across its model range in the latest whiplash ratings by the UK’s Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, Thatcham.

In fact, Volvo was one of only three manufacturers to achieve an ‘All Good’ rating, with top ‘Good’ scores for every model tested thanks to its supportive seats which have a fixed head restraint position to ensure they are always in the correct position to offer the best support and WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System).

Matthew Avery, Crash Laboratory Manager at Thatcham said: “Volvo has shown a continuing commitment to safety, and their seats once again performed very well in our tests. This is supported by real world injury data which confirms that these seats do produce a significant reduction in whiplash injuries – Volvo continues to be the trend setter in this area.”

All models in the Volvo range feature WHIPS as standard. WHIPS reduces acceleration forces on the neck during a rear-end accident by about a half. In the event of an accident, the entire backrest moves rearwards to reduce the strain on the occupant’s back and neck. Then, when their back has been safely restrained by the backrest, it inclines backwards in order to reduce the force that would otherwise throw their head forwards.

Volvo’s traffic accident research team compared real-life whiplash injuries from Volvos with and without WHIPS, and the results point to a clear conclusion: WHIPS reduced short-term and long-term (of more than a year) injuries by 33 per cent and 54 per cent respectively, while whiplash injuries in women were reduced by as much as 50 per cent and 75 per cent, respectively.