Move is latest in firm’s aim to reduce deaths and serious injuries in road traffic accidents involving Volvos to zero
Every new Volvo car now comes with a limited top speed of 112mph, as Volvo Cars delivers on its promise made last year to introduce such a limitation.
As well as the speed cap, its cars will now also come with a ‘care key’, which allows Volvo drivers to set additional limitations on the car’s top speed.
The features come as part of the carmaker’s ambition to achieve zero traffic fatalities.
Malin Ekholm, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre said: “The speed cap and care key help people reflect and realise that speeding is dangerous, while also providing extra peace of mind and supporting better driver behaviour.”
The top speed limit has proven to be controversial since it was announced, with some observers questioning the rights of car makers to impose such limitations through available technology.
Yet Volvo Cars believes it has an obligation to continue its tradition of being a pioneer in the discussion around the rights and obligations of car makers to take action that can ultimately save lives, even if this means losing potential customers.
Volvo warns that in-car safety technology and smart infrastructure design are no longer enough to avoid severe injuries and fatalities in the event of an accident while speeding.
