I've read several posts, but felt like it bears repeating. Stopped at a traffic light the other day in my just-detailed 2007 S40 when an older gentleman failed to see the light nor my brake lights. 45 mph impact. It did cosmetic damage to the trunk lid, did not mess any lights up, and scratched the bumper somewhat. The older gentleman was driving a 2011 Chevy Equinox. Hood, lights, radiator, grille, all laying to waste, as well as his right frame rail cracked. I did not realize exactly what the WHIPS system did until that moment. I got back in my car and noted I wasn't sitting as far forward, nor were my mirrors the same. That's when I noticed the gap between the seat and back. I had only slight shoulder hurt, but that was because I turned to my right and reached for something in my pax seat at the moment of impact, taking my shoulder out of line of the seat. Just muscle spasms according to the PA at the hospital. The WHIPS system took quite a bit if inertia away from my crash. Thanks Volvo!

 

If another car hit you at 45mph, you have way more than bumper damage, you just can't see it, especially in a smaller car like an S40.
Make sure to get the WHIPS components or seat replaced when the vehicle is repaired. I'm sure the assesors/repairers would be aware of it, but make sure.

 

You are absolutely right!! The estimator of his insurance company called me and said he wanted to meet with me at the repair facility because he feared more damage than what was visible. Considering the damage to the Equinox, he just wanted to make sure my car was 100% when released. Yeah, I've already told them about replacing the seat, and he agrees. Thanks for the comments and advice

 

Glad you are ok.

My '02 S40 was totaled by a rear end impact on the DC beltway. Traffic stopped, the lady behind me was looking over her shoulder to change lanes while accelerating (45+ mph). The trunk was crushed up to the high strength steel safety cage, the left rear wheel lower control arm was ripped out and the cross member behind the back seat was bent. The crumple zone and WHIPS worked flawlessly. The passenger compartment was not touched. Even the rear glass was good. I walked away without even a back ache.

I bought another Volvo.
Stan

 

That's great news on the WHIPS, hope I never have to find out about it, but knowing it's there is comforting.

 

Thanks, CPapa. Hope you don't either. Just for updated information. Took the car to the collision place and met with the shop owner and insurance guy. They went over it very thoroughly IMO. Most of the damage was isolated to the trunk lid, bumper and a few braces underneath, seat (WHIPS), and my driver's window which lost the automatic lower/raise feature at the time of impact. I know because when I hit it to acknowledge the patrolman, it wouldn't automatically lower.
Wisely, the collision center will fix the ugly, but insists on shipping it to Atlanta to a Volvo dealer to handle the window and WHIPS, so I'm looking at a couple of weeks in a goofy rental....probably a Chevrolet.....how gauche. I'll probably drive my Ram 3500 dually flatbed Cummins instead.