One of the most pioneering features of the new Volvo V40 is the Pedestrian Detection safety system, complemented by the world-first Pedestrian Airbag Technology. The idea is to avoid hitting the pedestrian in first place with the detection system which also has full auto brake feature. But if the collision is inevitable, then the airbags come to play to minimize the damage.

The system is pretty clever. Sensors in the front bumper register the physical contact between the car and the pedestrian. The rear end of the bonnet is released and at the same time elevated by the deploying airbag.  The inflated airbag covers the area under the raised bonnet plus approximately one third of the windscreen area and the lower part of the A-pillar.

The pedestrian might still get clipped out pretty good and end up with broken hands and legs, but at least their head will be protected to some extent. That is a great achievement, considering head injuries are the most common cause of death in accidents.

Besides the pedestrian airbag, the new V40 also benefits from Lane Keeping Aid with haptic auto steering, an ingenious Park Assist Pilot, automatic Road Sign Information, Active High Beam and a Cross Traffic Alert radar system at the rear.

2013 Volvo V40 also features the groundbreaking Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake – as well as the City Safety further developed low-speed collision avoidance system which now operates at speeds up to 50 km/h.