Volvo Gdynia Sailing Days - a breath of fresh air
On July 27, the final of the Volvo Gdynia Sailing Days took place. This is one of the largest regattas taking place on the Baltic Sea. With a long tradition associated with sailing, the manufacturer decided to present new models from its range during the event.
I must admit that the term "new" is somewhat exaggerated. Updated high-end cars, new security systems and electronic gadgets were shown. The lift included the XC60, S60, V60, S80, XC70 and V70 models. Thanks to all the innovations presented, conveniences such as cornering lights or the ability to connect a smartphone to the car, which are praised by other manufacturers, seem like a relic of the past.
The flagship limousine, the S80, has been on the market for quite some time, but is still fighting for buyers, and the introduction of small improvements will help him in this. It has been optically expanded with a new grille, headlights and bumper. Inside we find leather upholstery straight from the Scottish company Bridge Of Wall. The same applies to the V70 and XC70. At the rear, the newest features include taillights, tailpipes and additional chrome accents. It is also worth knowing that the models described above will receive new, four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines at the end of the year.
The smaller "60" series saw many more changes, with an estimated number of 4000. Although not all of them are visible from the outside, the trained eye is sure to notice the front lights, which should theoretically look like wolf eyes. The color palette has been updated to include beautiful blue paint that resembles a Ford Mustang baby blue in the sun, turning almost dark blue in the shade. It is also worth opting for previously unavailable wheel designs and sizes - 19 inches for the S60 and V60, 20 inches for the XC60. Interior modifications are cosmetic in nature - buyers will be able to choose new upholstery colors and wood trim.
Volvo, thanks to its achievements, is synonymous with safety in the automotive industry. Volvo Gdynia Sailing Days will see the premiere of new systems that will protect us from accidents, both actively and passively. The most important system shown is Active High Beam Control. What is under this name? Simply put, it is an intelligent high beam control module. Moving through undeveloped terrain with the "long" turned on, we activate the camera that detects "light points" (up to 7 cars). When a car approaches from the opposite direction, the beam that could blind the driver is “cut off” thanks to special diaphragms.
Interestingly, the camera records cars from a distance of 700 meters. He will also notice a bike on the side of the road with only a reflector installed. The electronics is unlikely to fail because the frequency of the light wave is also checked, so it does not respond to billboards or streetlights. Principle is one thing, practice is another. I have had the opportunity to test the described headlights and the continuous operation of the diaphragms is very impressive.
The second new feature is Volvo Cyclist Detection. Due to the growing popularity of bicycles, models from this manufacturer will be able to have a system that monitors cyclists moving in front of the car (and so far only in the same direction) and can stop it in case of an emergency. . I can't help but mention the words of the designers who say that the car does not "go crazy" in crowded city centers and we will not brake with squealing tires every 20 meters.
It may turn out that any safety package will be worth its weight in gold, since most of the time spent in the car, I spent playing with electronic gadgets that distract the driver. One of them is a system controlled by a 7-inch touch screen called SensusConnectedTouch. It supports Android applications, the same as in mobile phones. What does it mean? We even have the option to download and run Spotify or Deezer, which guarantees a connection to a huge music database. There is no need to carry an mp3 memory with you anymore. The only condition is the presence of a 3G modem stuck in the glove compartment. Making our car an Internet access point is not a big problem. Does this mean Angry Birds will stop our traffic jams? Everything points to it.
However, we must admit that cameras, sensors and sensors do not kill the joy of driving. They do not completely replace the driver, but are only a convenience. Alternatively, purists can simply turn them off. We are pleased with this brand policy. Fans of the concern can breathe a sigh of relief, because after the takeover of Geely, he did not lose his spirit. The only worry is that the XC90 has been completely forgotten. Could an entirely new structure appear on the horizon? Time will tell.
