THE Volvo XC60, with Volvo’s unique Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), is one of only five cars to receive the highest rating in Euro NCAP's new assessment procedure for evaluating the degree of whiplash protection offered by passenger cars in rear-end collisions.

The Volvo XC60 also received the highest rating of five stars in Euro NCAP’s Adult Occupant Protection tests, which includes front and side impacts. The new Euro NCAP evaluation procedure for whiplash protection consists of a number of different tests.

First, the seat's geometry is measured, for example, the position of the head restraint, in order to determine how well the seat can protect against injuries in a collision.

Three tests are then conducted in a testing rig with varying degrees of collision severity. This rig is used to simulate a situation in which a stationary car is subjected to a rear-end collision.

Finally, the results are evaluated and the car is graded on a scale of red, orange and green where red is poor, orange is marginal and green is good.

Thomas Broberg, a safety expert at Volvo Cars, said: “Our latest model, the Volvo XC60, performed well in all of the tests and was given an overall rating of green.”