TECH INSIDER Polestar The latest model features safety-related adaptations that protect the electric powertrain and introduces next-gen airbag technology, which will be assessed under new Euro When engineers at the than starting from scratch – it’s just NCAP/ANCAP tests later in 2020 Volvo Car Group crash over three years since the concept lab near Gothenburg version was shown as the Volvo WORDS BY ALEX GRANT 2put the Polestar 2 through 40.2, at which point Polestar wasn’t its paces recently, it marked an a separate brand. important milestone for Volvo. This However, the conversion to was the facility’s first test program electric drive wasn’t entirely for a fully electric vehicle and, with straightforward. The powertrain a widely used platform underneath, comprises front and rear drive the results could have far-reaching units at either end of a 78kWh influence for parent company Geely. battery pack under the cabin, The Polestar 2 is based on the and Pehrson says this altered the Common Modular Architecture weight distribution, introduced new (CMA), developed by Volvo and rigid areas into the structure and already found in the XC40 SUV, but downsized the solid components also shared with sister brands Geely under the hood, all of which change and Lynk & Co. Polestar’s head its deformation characteristics in of research and development, Hans a collision. Meeting the OEM’s Pehrson, says this enabled a much tough safety benchmarks required faster overall development program significant structural changes.

The EV is the first vehicle to feature Volvo’s inner-side airbags for the front seat, which add an extra layer of safety for occupants

Airbags at the ready

New features aren’t only related to the drivetrain. Depending on the market where it’s sold, the fastback features up to nine airbags, including Volvo Group’s first front-inner-side airbags. Housed within the front seats, these are deployed during a side impact to reduce lateral occupant movement, and will be among the first such preventive measures to be assessed under the new Euro NCAP/ ANCAP far-side impact test later this year.

2 Crash Test Technology International 2020 TECH INSIDER

Volvo Cars is aiming for a 50% BEV sales share globally by 2025

ABOVE: Polestar 2 “The CMA platform wasn’t be the same,” enable it to detect after its first crash [originally] designed to offer a continues Pehrson. “We pedestrians, animals, test, a frontal offset/ small overlap crash battery electric vehicle solution, need to protect the battery cyclists and other vehicles, INSET: Specially so we needed to take a very holistic and footwell area for the driver. warn the driver and make evasive designed blocks of view of the project right from the The aluminum wheel and the wheel braking or steering maneuvers if aluminum protect beginning,” explains Pehrson. “This hub can be very stiff, and they need necessary, while pre-emptively the battery structure and passengers means that everything from the to be deflected so they don’t go into tightening the seatbelts in case of during heavily offset front end to the floor is unique the cabin and battery.” a collision. The company has also frontal collisions for the BEV version, while many Polestar’s solution is a pair of added a forward and reverse BELOW: By using other areas have been revised to solid aluminum blocks, fitted just pedestrian warning system, a soft Volvo’s CMA platform meet the requirements of a modern above the leading edge of the sills at sound and a pulse respectively, as the team was able to develop the vehicle BEV, and remain true to Polestar’s each end of the front bulkhead. required by law in its largest markets. much faster than usual unique character.” These SPOC (severe partial offset Early adoption of electric drive crash) blocks are designed to guide means Polestar is spearheading INHERENT SAFETY non-deformable items down the side innovations earmarked for use Its battery layout plays a pivotal of the car, away from the passenger elsewhere. Volvo Cars is aiming for role. The pack is made up of 27 compartment and battery pack, a 50% BEV sales share globally by modules, which are shaped to fill during heavily offset collisions. 2025, beginning with an XC40 due the transmission tunnel and areas An additional deformable later this year, and this will share its under both rows of seats, lowering structure between the bulkhead and powertrain, front lower load path the center of gravity while preserving front panel, referred to as the front and SPOC blocks with the Polestar 2. foot space for rear occupants. Modules lower load path, helps make up for For Pehrson, the common focus on are encased within an aluminum the lack of an engine during frontal safety is an important attribute for base and steel lid to protect the cells or pole collisions. On impact, the both brands. from damage, which makes the pack battery pack is disconnected from “Being part of such an established an integral part of the body structure the rest of the vehicle as a precaution, automotive group is one of our biggest and helps damp noise and vibrations removing the live electrical supply. strengths,” he says. “From across the in the cabin. Onboard safety equipment is also group we have incredible competency “With this rigid part between the ahead of other Volvo Car Group and knowledge, often specialized, wheels we need to look at deformation products. One front and two rear- that we always look to maximize the zones and weight distribution in a mounted radar units, augmented use of. It’s something we at Polestar new way, but the [safety] target will by a windshield-mounted camera, appreciate very much.” ‹

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