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Volvo Pioneers the Smart Seat Belt

Modern living is great! You live in your smart home where the lights turn on when the alarm on your smart phone goes off, then you ask your Alexa Echo to tell you about the latest and greatest news/online spats while you take a shower. Next, you get dressed and put on your Ray-Ban Meta glasses and your smart watch before heading downstairs, where you pound some juice, skip breakfast (not so smart, according to your doctor), then leave and have your smart lock secure your property while your smart thermostat adjusts the air conditioning. You hop in your car (which, ironically, is not a Smart car) and drive off, using an autopilot-type system that allows you to check emails during your daily commute.

Does this sound like you? If so, the smart thing to do will be to buy the new Volvo EX60 crossover SUV when it debuts in 2026 because it will be equipped with the world’s first smart seat belt.

Volvo pioneered the three-point seat belt in 1959. Automotive safety has been part of Volvo’s branding for decades, but it’s been awhile since Volvo has flaunted this relevant differentiating benefit. With the EX60, Volvo will reclaim its rightful position as producing the world’s safest cars with the introduction of this multi-adaptive safety belt.

According to Volvo, modern safety belts use load limiters to control how much force the safety belt applies to your body during a crash. This new safety belt design expands the load-limiting profiles (from three to eleven) and, hence, increases the possible number of settings to offer optimal performance for each situation and individual. It adapts to specific bodies and positions in respect to real-time data from the vehicle’s exterior, interior, and crash sensors for customized protection for each belted passenger. Considering the unique characteristics of a crash (such as direction, speed, and passenger posture), the system in turn shares the data with the safety belt and selects the most appropriate setting for peak protection.

Think of it this way: When you’re at your peak weight in January, you will receive a higher belt load setting in an accident than in the spring after you’ve spent several months at the gym. Profiles such as your height, weight, body shape, and seating position are calculated and adapted to upon impact. As a result, head and rib injuries (among others) will be minimized. With over-the-air software updates, protection marginally improves with time.

“The world first multi-adaptive safety belt is another milestone for automotive safety and a great example of how we leverage real-time data with the ambition to help save millions of more lives,” said Åsa Haglund, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “This marks a major upgrade to the modern three-point safety belt, a Volvo invention introduced in 1959, estimated to have saved over a million lives.”

According to Car, the EX60 will run on the group’s modular SPA3 platform and sit in the middle of the brand’s range. For greater efficiency and faster charging, 800-volt technology will be used. Single- and dual-motor powertrain systems are estimated to offer from 329 to 670 horsepower.

Interesting Finds: 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster

For more than two decades, the Dodge Viper stunned people with its bold looks and unusual V10 power. That era of American performance started with the 1992 Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster, a curvaceous beast with a 400-horsepower 8.0-liter V10 under its massive hood, a six-speed manual gearbox, and side pipes. There was nothing to get in the way of going fast – no traction control, ABS, or even side windows. We got a chance to grab some up-close footage of this first-year Dodge Viper at the Barrett-Jackson 2025 Palm Beach Auction before it was sold to its new owner at no reserve.

For more interesting finds, be sure to follow our YouTube channel here.

Pick of the Day: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

You should never buy a car based on what other people are going to think of you when they see it because it’s your car and you’re the one paying for it. But it helps to be aware of just how much attention – good or bad – a certain vehicle will get because you may prefer to be left alone while you’re out driving. A new Mercedes with a light-up three-pointed star in the grille and colorful interior ambient lighting? Lots of people will be looking at you. Our Pick of the Day, a 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL posted on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Englewood, Colorado? It’s still an SL with great lines, V8 power, and leather seats, but it should allow you to fly under the radar.

Designed by Bruno Sacco and first presented at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show, the R129 generation of the SL simultaneously has presence (thanks to its ingot-like lines) and the ability to be self-effacing (thanks it being out of the new car spotlight for decades). These days, it has an “old money” look to it. It’s hard to look at it and not think it was the go-to for hit record producers and successful L.A. attorneys in the 1990s.

What makes this high-class cruiser even more low-key is its gray and taupe two-tone paint, although its headlight wipers might turn some heads. As the photos show, this 500SL currently has a body-color hardtop in place, but that can be removed so the power-operated soft top can be used on those occasions when you do want to be seen. If you change your mind, just mash the gas and let the 322-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and four-speed automatic turn you into a blur.

The interior has a color scheme that’s as tasteful and restrained as the exterior finish: gray leather and wood veneer accents on the door panels and center stack/console. Both seats have power controls as well as three-person memory settings; additional amenities include power everything, automatic climate control, and a Clarion AM/FM/CD stereo.

One thing this luxury drop-top doesn’t have? A lot of miles. The odometer indicates it’s only been driven 56,967 miles over the past 30+ years. If you buy this 1992 Mercedes-Benz 500SL for $13,899, you should be able to add to that number without being bothered – and in total comfort.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com

15 Cars That Were Built Around a Single Weird Law

Automotive history is full of strange and fascinating stories, but few are as intriguing as cars designed to comply with oddly specific laws. From peculiar safety regulations to quirky licensing restrictions, unusual legal requirements have inspired manufacturers to build vehicles that are genuinely unique—sometimes even bizarre. For automakers, navigating these obscure laws meant pushing creativity to its limits, resulting in cars that stand out both on the road and in history books. Join us as we explore fifteen remarkable examples of automobiles whose very designs were shaped by peculiar legal stipulations, illustrating how necessity can indeed be the mother of invention.

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15 Dealer-Installed Packages That Made Average Cars Wild

In the automotive world, dealer-installed packages have the power to turn everyday vehicles into extraordinary performance machines.
While factory models often cater to the masses with practicality and affordability, dealership customizations allow enthusiasts to unleash hidden potential, transforming ordinary rides into thrilling, one-of-a-kind experiences.
These specially tuned packages offer everything from potent engine upgrades and aggressive styling enhancements to performance-focused suspension setups, breathing new life into otherwise mundane cars.
Join us as we explore 15 remarkable dealer-installed packages that have dramatically elevated average vehicles, showcasing the creativity and passion that continue to fuel car enthusiasts’ dreams.

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15 Cars Built for African Roads That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Driving in Africa presents unique challenges that many vehicles simply aren’t built to handle.
From pothole-riddled highways and rugged dirt roads to extreme climates ranging from scorching deserts to torrential rainy seasons, African roads demand resilience, adaptability, and innovation.
While global automotive giants often overlook these specific needs, several lesser-known manufacturers have stepped in to create cars tailored explicitly for these conditions.
These specialized vehicles combine durability, affordability, and practicality, directly addressing the continent’s diverse terrains and economic realities.
In this article, we uncover 15 remarkable cars specifically crafted or adapted for African roads—vehicles you’ve likely never heard of, but truly deserve recognition.

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15 Vehicles That Used Airplane Technology (And Sometimes Took Off Too)

Since the dawn of aviation, engineers and designers have continuously drawn inspiration from the skies, translating airplane technology into innovative vehicles across land, sea, and rail.
From cars boasting aerodynamic wings to motorcycles powered by jet engines, the integration of aviation advancements has opened the door to groundbreaking possibilities.
Even boats and trains have adopted aircraft-inspired designs, resulting in impressive hybrids that sometimes even took flight.
Join us as we explore 15 remarkable vehicles that cleverly borrowed airplane technology, pushing the boundaries of engineering and turning ambitious dreams into reality.

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15 Times Tiny European Brands Built Supercars No One Believed Existed

In the realm of supercars, brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche dominate headlines, leaving little room for small European automakers to shine. Yet, occasionally, niche companies emerge from obscurity, defying skeptics by crafting vehicles astounding enough to rival automotive giants. These boutique manufacturers, often operating with limited budgets and minimal recognition, have surprised enthusiasts and critics alike through sheer ingenuity, passion, and relentless ambition. From forgotten workshops hidden in rural villages to bold startups challenging conventional wisdom, these small European brands have repeatedly proven that innovation and determination can lead to automotive masterpieces no one ever expected.

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15 Cars Designed by Fashion Houses (That Weren’t Just Gimmicks)

When the worlds of fashion and automotive design intersect, the result can be extraordinary.
While some collaborations are mere publicity stunts, certain partnerships between renowned fashion houses and prestigious car manufacturers have genuinely pushed the boundaries of style, innovation, and craftsmanship.
These vehicles seamlessly integrate sophisticated aesthetics with cutting-edge automotive engineering, proving that high fashion can indeed enhance the allure of luxury cars.
From elegant interiors to unique, statement-making exteriors, these collaborations underscore the shared pursuit of excellence and creativity between two seemingly distinct industries.
Join us as we explore 15 remarkable cars born from fashion houses that were more than just marketing gimmicks.

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15 Special Classic Muscle Cars Produced In Less Than 1000 Examples

Muscle cars have long captivated automotive enthusiasts with their raw power, bold designs, and exhilarating performance.
While some models became household names through mass production, others achieved legendary status by virtue of their extreme rarity.
In this article, we spotlight 15 classic muscle cars that were produced in ultra-limited numbers—fewer than 1,000 examples.
These rare machines have become highly sought-after treasures, their scarcity only adding to their mystique and allure among collectors and passionate car lovers alike.

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