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Volvo to unveil permanent high-beam headlamp technology [w/video]

Volvo will be showing off its Active High Beam technology at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The system will allow drivers to use their high beams all the time and adds another responsibility to the cameras mounted by the rearview mirror, making them detect traffic ahead, whether it be another car or a truck or motorcycle and in the same lane or oncoming. When a vehicle is detected, a special projector in the Xenon lamps can block out only the portion of the high beam that would impair the other driver. Volvo says the system is accurate down to a 1.5-inch margin around another object.
Active High Beam will be fitted to the Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 and we have to assume they mean the non-US versions of those cars. Audi has a similar technology that it calls "matrix beam lighting," and due to the way the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard code is written, such active control of high beams is verboten on cars sold here.
The Swedish brand also plans to present a collision-avoidance technology it's calling a "world-first." The press release below has more information and the accompanying video demonstrates the lighting tech.

Volvo EX90 will provide SunLike sunlight for occupants and cargo

Volvo says another one of the human-centric features coming to the EX90 battery-electric wagon is a sun-like light. A few years ago, Korean firm Seoul Semiconductor developed a range of LEDs called SunLike, the heliotropic name derived from the non-flickering LEDs producing illumination close to the spectrum of planetary daylight. The science bits include a new diode architecture, a purple emitter and different phosphors in place of the usual yellow. The upshot for EX90 occupants is said to be in-car light that's easier on the eyes, less low-light reflection, and color and texture reproduction closer to nature — all that Nordico recycled synthetic fabric, Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, and wool from sustainably-raised sheep will look more natural.. The lights have found their way into some museums, curators looking for improved color rendition from the artworks. The Swedes say they're the first to use these lights in an automotive application. There will be 72 SunLike LEDs placed throughout the vehicle, being all the non-decorative lights in the cabin ceiling, floor, and door pockets, and the trunk. The design lead for color and materials said, "By utilizing the spectrum of light emitted from the SunLike LEDs, the progressive materials and interior design of the Volvo EX90 stand out more clearly and without colour distortion. Complementing our wood deco and other natural materials inside the cabin, the lights are central to our Scandinavian design language." The Polestar 3 will get the same treatment. The seven-seat, twin-motor EX90 with up to 300 miles of range starts rolling down lines in Volvo's South Carolina plant later this year. The crossover will make safety as important as comfort, the EX90 incorporating cameras, radar, lidar, and Nvidia-powered software to take stock of the vehicleÂ’s surroundings plus the driverÂ’s gaze and attention. The lidar can detect objects ahead to centimeter accuracy from 250 meters (about 820 feet) away in glaring sun or total darkness, Volvo says. Volvo describes the EX90 as “a highly advanced computer on wheels” with the ability to improve over time thanks to over-the-air software updates. Preorders are open now, with "well-equipped" configurations said to come in "at  under $80,000." Deliveries begin in early 2024. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2024 Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge add RWD, bigger battery pack

Volvo revealed rear-wheel-drive versions of its C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge for Europe a few months ago, but mum was the word on U.S. availability. That changes today, as Volvo just debuted a host of updates and changes coming to the electric SUVs sold here. The big, new offering is that both the 2024 C40 Recharge and 2024 XC40 Recharge will be available in entry-level rear-wheel-drive models. Volvo developed a new and more efficient 248 horsepower electric motor that will sit on the rear axle for these models. The battery pack is also updated to be more energy dense, so it’s now an 82 kilowatt-hour pack instead of a 78 kWh pack. Combine the more efficient motor with the bigger battery pack, and range skyrockets past the old AWD models. In this RWD configuration, the 2024 C40 Recharge is EPA-rated for 297 miles of range, and the XC40 Recharge at 293 miles.  Additionally, the charging experience should be greatly improved, as Volvo says itÂ’s upgraded the maximum charge speed to 200 kW instead of the 150 kW it could manage previously. A 10-80% charge should now take approximately 28 minutes instead of the 40 minutes Volvo estimated previously. ThatÂ’s going to make a big difference if youÂ’re road tripping with multiple stops. The dual-motor AWD version of both cars are getting some updates, too. Instead of the identical motors on the front and rear axle, Volvo is putting its new 248 horsepower motor on the rear and a lower power 147 horsepower motor on the front axle. That front motor is only engaged when itÂ’s needed, so Volvo says this updated AWD model will be more efficient than before. Unfortunately, both the C40 and XC40 Recharge AWD models will retain the old 78 kWh battery pack. This also means theyÂ’re saddled with the slower 150 kW charge speed. That said, the efficiency improvements from the new electric motor setup means range increases anyway. It goes up by 31 miles for the C40 Recharge to 257 miles, and by 21 miles for the XC40 Recharge to 254 miles. Other updates to the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge models include a new 19-inch aero wheel option, more paint colors and additional exterior themes to choose from. Updated pricing is not yet available. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.