How safe is that a used or a new automobile you are thinking of purchasing? With the inventions of the airbags and crash testing, the numbers of citizens injured and killed by vehicles has decreased in many nations.

A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in Crash worthiness and crash compatibility for automobiles or related components.

The Crash tests are done under very careful safety and scientific standards. Every crash test is very costly so the maximum amount of data must be got from each and every test. Typically, this requires the usage of high-speed data-acquisition, at least one accelerometer and crash test dummies.

Two types of crash tests are been performed on each automobile – one is an offset frontal test and the other is side impact test. These tests suggest two of the most common crashes that occur on our roads.

Dummies are used to calculate the level of injury that would affect the front seat occupants wearing the safety belts in these crashes.

The crash-rating dummy represents an average-sized adult is been placed in the driver seat and rear passenger seats and secured with the vehicle’s seat belts.

The mandatory standard for crash tests is to:

1.  Reduce the level of risk to drivers, passengers and public by preventing supply of dummies that do not meet key safety requirements.
2. Reduce the incidence of serious injury associated with poor quality products.
3.  Give consumers confidence that dummies available in the market have a reasonable level of safety.
4.  Provide a framework for industry to determine appropriate levels of safety for the dummy.

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Concept  PHEV

At major auto shows across the country, Swedish automaker Volvo is making its presence known. This company, known for its innovative safety measures and forward-thinking engineering, is currently displaying the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept, an all-wheel-drive crossover SUV that may change the way you look at hybrids and plug-in vehicles. Read on for details about this progressive product.

Volvo is touting the XC60 PHEV concept as three cars in one. That claim seems plausible as this CUV is designed to operate in three driving modes via buttons for Pure, Hybrid or Power located on the instrument panel. Each mode offers distinct advantages and can be selected to sync with your driving conditions.

Drive Modes

When operated in “Pure” mode the XC60 is powered chiefly by its electric motor as much as it is possible. As such, the CUV’s electric-only operational range is for up to 35 miles with absolutely no tailpipe emissions in urban driving.

The default “Hybrid” mode automatically kicks in whenever the CUV is started. Both the gasoline engine and electric motor are at work, providing the best mix of gas and electric driving. EPA numbers are not yet available, but according to the European certification driving cycle this vehicle gets the fuel economy equivalent of over 100 mpg. Look for closer to 50 mpg when this vehicle is taken on a long trip — its total cruising range is thus extended to 600 miles.

The third choice is the CUV’s “Power” mode, which provides unbridled power when needed. Under this arrangement, the gas engine shoulders the brunt of the work and this capable powerplant has the goods to show for it, delivering 280 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque. The electric motor is no slouch too as it makes 70 hp and 148 foot-pounds of torque. Need to get on the highway fast? This CUV does it in style, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds.

Turbocharged Four

What may surprise Volvo enthusiasts the most is that the gas engine found underneath this concept’s hood is a turbocharged four cylinder engine. No V-6 power is needed — this engine has been optimized to deliver the most power from the fewest number of cylinders.

The Volvo XC60 PHEV has been designed to plug-in to a standard household outlet for recharging. With a standard 110-volt outlet, recharging should be accomplished in 7.5 hours. For faster recharges, a 220-volt outlet cuts that down to just 3.5 hours.

Market Plans

Will the XC60 PHEV come to market? It is expected to and should arrive in American showrooms by 2014. When it does hit the market, crossover fans may find this CUV too hard to resist — a five-passenger model that is fuel efficient and minimizes its emissions output.

This is because you need to know what exactly, are you going to buy, before you step out of the house to buy it. Well if you get into a dealership without having the exact knowledge of what you need to buy, chances are that you won’t be very happy with your purchase. It may happen that later you start feeling it’s not exactly what you wanted. One of my relatives recently bought a mercedes benz. While servicing the car, it was found that the front shock absorber had a leak. The part itself cost him a 1000 dollars. Eventually he sold the Mercedes and bought a Camry which proved to be more beneficial. So be sure if you can afford the vehicle maintenance.

One more reason to narrow down your view, to a few selected models is because after you test-drive those models, it will be easier to compare the pickup and handling of each model, to help you select the best one. Even detection of transmission problems would be easy if you test drive on selected cars of the same model instead of trying out different models.

The next important thing to do is get information on the car’s history. It helps you eliminate more than half of the vehicles you had in your mind and narrow down your search to a few ones. History of vehicles includes checking vehicles that have been restored after accidents, those with good safety and long time performance of those vehicles. It’s a known fact that you must compulsorily look over a car’s history before you even think of buying it. Car’s history can also be gathered from consumer reviews, past incidents in which car was involved and its official website.

One more important thing is that you don’t buy a car because someone told you to buy it. Every person has a different view about cars. So check the car statistics by matching it with your own requirements. Further if you still want to know more about the car ask a knowledgeable person.

The last caution you need to take is while doing the paperwork. If you are buying it from a private owner, check if there are any registered liens against that vehicle. The last step then will be to check if the person who signed the bill is the legal owner of the car by checking with the vehicle registration authorities.

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