Most concepts presented at motor shows remain just that: a stylistic exercise by the automaker’s designers, a “what if” proposal, a flight of fancy. At best, a few of them make it into production, mostly in a much more conventional form. But as with every rule, there are always an exception.

Volvo’s SCC Concept is one such example. Presented at the 2001 Detroit Motor Show, the Swedish carmaker’s Safety Concept Car was more than just a glimpse into the future or the main inspiration behind the C30’s design: it was the car that, above any other, influenced Volvo’s technological advances.

That is because the SCC was the starting point in Volvo’s active safety evolution: almost 15 of the advanced technical solutions that are found today in Volvo’s production cars were first previewed in the SCC.

“When we began work on the concept car at the end of the 1990s, Volvo was still primarily known for making family cars designed to protect their occupants in a collision. The SCC signaled the start of a new approach which enhanced safety for the occupants, where the car’s most important safety task is to help avoid dangerous situations and accidents in the first place,” explains Östen Strandberg, who was responsible for the development of the SCC.

One year later Volvo’s engineers started working on translating the SCC’s safety features into production realities. Moreover, in 2003, Volvo gave the green light for the development of the C30 which made its premiere at the Paris motor show in 2006.

Volvo is therefore celebrating the 10th anniversary of its active technology-introducing concept. To understand the impact of the SCC to the Swedish brand’s development, here is a list of the features that made it into production:

· Forward collision warning – today in its third generation with Pedestrian Detection, Collision Warning and Full Auto Brake. In addition, there is the ground-braking low-speed system, City Safety, which is fitted as standard to several Volvo models.· Information projected on the windscreen – today the head-up display is part of the Collision Warning system.· Technology that monitors vehicles in the “blind spot” and alerts the driver. Today this is known as BLIS (Blind Spot Information System).· Warning system to alert the driver to the risk of straying from the lane. Today known as Lane Departure Warning and Driver Alert.· Cruise control that maintains a set distance behind the vehicle in front. The present ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) operates all the way down to standstill in cars with automatic transmission.· Flashing brake lights during hard braking – today known as Emergency Brake Lights.· Safety cameras – today there are integrated reversing camera and grille-mounted camera offering drivers a 180-degree field of vision (accessory). A camera is also a key component in the Pedestrian Detection and Collision Warning system.· Advanced headlights that follow the curvature of the road as the car turns – today Active Bending Lights.· Further-developed HMI (Human Machine Interface) – now Volvo Sensus.· Height-adjustable rear seat. Present today in the integrated two-stage child booster cushions.· Protection for pedestrians – today this system is found as the energy-absorbing front structure and bonnet and in Pedestrian Detection.· Steering wheel adjustable for height and reach – fitted today as standard.· Passive unlocking and engine starting – today Keyless Go.· Communication with the car via mobile phone – today via a newly developed Mobile Application that was introduced in spring 2011.

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