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The Volvo XC60 from HEICO SPORTIV

September 29, 2009

The latest innovation from HEICO SPORTIV’s design department is the all-inclusive accessories range for the Volvo XC60 suspension. The self-set goals were as simple as they were challenging: for the deliverability of the HEICO SPORTIV accessories to coincide with the market debut of the Crossover model. Not an easy undertaking, given that new ground was being broken especially with the development of the design elements.

For the first time in HEICO SPORTIV’s history, one of the components had to undergo crash testing due to the latest pedestrian safety legislation. “This not only had a direct impact on the design, but also on material quality, the anchorage points and supplier selection,” says Alexander Lode, responsible for vehicle exteriors suspension. HEICO SPORTIV is therefore all the more proud to have passed the tests first time round. “The additional front-loaded effort paid off and is a milestone in HEICO SPORTIV’s product development. We’re working at the same eye level as the manufacturer,” Mr. Lode continues.

Both the front spoiler and rear suspension valence are made of polyurethane plastic (PUR) and fastened similarly to the originals. One of the material’s main characteristics is its extreme loading capacity due to its very high impact resistance and tensile strength. Consequently, a slight brush with the curbstone does not automatically result in a major repair.

Crash testing in compliance with the latest pedestrian safety guidelines, EG wheel directives, cornering testing, clay modeling and CAD engineering – terms which under normal circumstances only have a meaning for experts… or for the development engineers at Volvo tuner HEICO SPORTIV. “Our cus-tomers have come to expect unsurpassable product quality. But not only since the official start of the official cooperation with Volvo Car Germany and Volvo Car Switzerland,” explains General Manager, Holger Hedtke, about the ever more demanding market fundamentals. “And against this background, we also have to cope with permanently changing underlying conditions and international legislation: modern product development has become a race against time.”

 

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