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Volvo building new AstaZero safety proving ground in Sweden

Volvo is an automaker committed to vehicle safety, setting an ambitious target for itself: by 2020, the Swedish automaker envisions that no one will be killed or seriously injured in one of its cars. In order to achieve that goal, Volvo has announced a new proving ground designed specifically to test safety solutions.
Called AstaZero, the new facility near the company's headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, is the result of a $70 million investment. It will cover some 500 acres, with over 60 acres of pavement, four city blocks and three and a half miles of highway. The Active Safety Test Area (the ASTA in AstaZero) will enable Volvo and its partners (including Scania trucks as well as government bodies and university development programs) to simulate city streets, highways, rural roads, roundabouts, T-junctions and more, combining traffic from cars, pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, buses, trucks and even animals in order to account for all manner of potential hazards.
The facility will enable Volvo to test active safety systems and autonomous vehicle operations, and even allow robots to test its prototypes in an adaptive environment that aims to be more flexible than existing proving grounds. Read more about Volvo's commitment to safety in the press release below.

Volvo unveils all-new user interface destined for next-gen XC90 [w/video]

Take a close look at the cabin of the Volvo Concept Estate shown above. One of the big features on the fancy, brown shooting brake is an all-new user interface called, well, it doesn't really have a name, at least not one Volvo is revealing.
The refreshingly nameless system looks seriously impressive based on the short video that accompany's the system's press release. The jewel of the whole interface is a sizable touchscreen that manages most every in-car function save for a few vital functions like volume, hazard lights and other systems that still demand a more tactile interface.
"The basic idea is to organize controls and information in a perfectly intuitive and user- friendly way. Everything is exactly where you expect it to be, making the drive more enjoyable, efficient, and safe," Thomas Ingenlath, Volvo's Senior Vice President of Design, said in a statement.

Volvo EX30 electric crossover coming to lure younger buyers

Volvo's long-rumored entry-level electric crossover is taking shape. Positioned below the XC40 and likely called EX30, the city-friendly model will make its debut this summer, and it should play a significant role in bringing younger buyers into the firm's showrooms. While specific details remain under wraps, Volvo boss Jim Rowan pledged that the EX30 will be "very safe" and offer a "decent range" as well as a "good size." Downsizing in terms of price and size will help the Swedish company reach a wider audience. "The age demographic that we have at Volvo is a lot older than we would like; we'd like to get some more younger people into the brand," the CEO told CarSales. Letting customers buy the EX30 online will help lure younger drivers, according to Volvo's research. However, it's not forgetting about older motorists: It expects that older drivers who want a smaller car and don't regularly drive long distances will be interested in the EX30 as well. As we previously reported, the EX30 will share its Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform with the Smart #1. The connection isn't as random as it might seem: China-based Geely owns Volvo and runs Smart via a joint-venture with Mercedes-Benz. Rear-wheel drive will come standard, and buyers will have several battery sizes to choose from, though it sounds like none will be massive. Rowan expects that driving range will become less of a concern for electric-car drivers as the charging infrastructure improves in the coming years. The Volvo EX30 is scheduled to make its debut in June 2023 and go on sale shortly after. Production will take place in China, and there's no word yet on whether we'll see the EV in the United States. As it stands, the next new Volvo to reach showrooms is the range-topping EX90. Rumors suggest that an electric minivan is around the corner as well, but Volvo hasn't commented on the report or confirmed the model. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.