Volvo has always been known for its emphasis on safety.

Its new car, the Volvo S60, will be equipped with state-of-the-art dual-mode radar unit integrated into the car’s grille, a camera behind the inside rear-view mirror and a central control unit.

The cruise control system will regulate the vehicle’s speed to keep it the same distance from the car in front.

It is able to detect a pedestrian who steps out into the path of the car. It will stop and start again without the driver needing to touch the brake.

The radar and camera continuously monitor the road in front of the car. The radar’s task is to detect objects and measure the distance to them.

The camera’s function is to determine what type of objects they are.

The system is programmed to respond to cars in front that are at a standstill or moving in the same direction.

For the full braking system to be activated the pedestrian or car must be confirmed by both the radar sensor and the camera. It will be activated if the driver does not respond to the danger.

Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars, said: ‘Our aim for 2020 is that no one should be killed or injured in a Volvo car’.

Volvo claims the collision warning system will stop pedestrians being hit at speeds of less than 12mph and drastically reduce impact speeds if the car is being driven faster.

This comfort-enhancing system becomes usable even in slow-moving queues with repeated starting and stopping

The Volvo S60 is powered by a low emission 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four cylinder engine which produces 180 horsepower.

The new Volvo S60 will be launched in 2010.

If safety is very important to you, the Volvo S60 might be just the car for you.

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