Volvo moved the radar unit from top centre windshield to front grille on all their MY22 cars. One C40 review mentioned that the front grille logo hosting the radar unit is automatically heated in winter to avoid snow buildup, I suppose all Volvos have this feature.
Over the years I drove cars in winter conditions (Audi, VW, BMW) that often had adaptive cruise control failure due to dirt or snow accumulating on the radar unit placed in the front grille or lower bumper. I never experienced this problem with my XC40, the radar unit being always kept clean by the windshield washer and wipers. I find this solution very smart and practical for winter driving.
I wonder what’s Volvo’s reason for changing the design. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Front radar unit
My last car was the old model XC60 with the radar unit on the front grille. That also frequently got blocked from snow, or dirt and on one occasion a wet leaf. I always assumed it was placed there to provide an unobstructed “view” of the road ahead (especially low objects). The higher position behind the windscreen seemed like a better solution because the wiper blade would keep it clear. Maybe that created a blind spot.
MY22 XC40 Inscription B4P, Auto, FWD, Denim blue, Blond Leather, Climate, Versatility, Sunroof, Tints.
It looks like the camera was located on the front grille on the XC40 recharge much earlier (maybe from launch?). I assume they then rolled it out to all other models once the old components were used up.
Besides adaptive cruise control, the radar is used for pilot assist, distance warning, lane assistance etc. so it might have been relocated for technical reasons, or it could simply be a design feature.
I once saw a video of someone installing a front camera in the grille badge on an XC60 and wiring it to a dash cam. I thought was a very neat idea.
MY22 XC40 Inscription B4P, Auto, FWD, Denim blue, Blond Leather, Climate, Versatility, Sunroof, Tints.
Does your MY22 have the radar on the front grille? It would be interesting to see how will it cope in similar driving conditions where your last XC60 failed.
Alas, mine doesn’t have Driver Support. Only the wife telling me to “mind that cyclist” etc. Although, it does have City Safe which must use some type of scanner. Nothing on the grille though.Does your MY22 have the radar on the front grille?
MY22 XC40 Inscription B4P, Auto, FWD, Denim blue, Blond Leather, Climate, Versatility, Sunroof, Tints.
AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) is mandatory on all vehicles in EU from May 2022 and is standard in all MY22 Volvos. I thought it uses radar and now it’s placed in the front grille logo. But you say it’s nothing there on your car, so I wonder where the AEB / City Safe sensor is.
It was at the top of the windscreen along with camera and radar. Probably still is. I’ve just googled it and this article came up about a recall in India
MY22 XC40 Inscription B4P, Auto, FWD, Denim blue, Blond Leather, Climate, Versatility, Sunroof, Tints.