Volvo Makes Eclipse Viewer for XC60

An eclipse is a natural phenomenon that everyone wants to watch. Nevertheless, if you try watching an eclipse without adequate protection for your eyes, the sunlight that comes from the sun’s corona is highly intense at about 1,350 Watts per square meter irradiance and can cause significant damage to the fovea or the central pit of our retina. The United States is slated to experience a total solar eclipse on August 21, the first such occurrence in more than 38 years.

Scientists advise that those who want to view the eclipse should watch it using ISO-certified 12312-2 sunglasses. Volvo had a better idea. The car manufacturer came up with a customized eclipse viewer that can be magnetically attached to the roof of the company’s 2018 Volvo XC60. The lens of the viewer covers the model’s panoramic moonroof with an eclipse-friendly ISO-certified 12312-2 transparent material. Using the eclipse viewer it is possible for five people seated inside the vehicle to comfortably view the eclipse without standing outside in blazing heat. US motorists in state that are in the path of the eclipse – Oregon, Idaho, Nebraska, Missouri, and South Carolina—would be able to get this eclipse viewer for free from their Volvo dealers. Volvo is also planning to livestream the eclipse in 4K on its Racing the Sun website to provide viewers with unique, 360 degree footage of the eclipse.

The 2018 XC60 is the second generation of Volvo’s compact crossover SUV and is available in thee different trims (Momentum, Inscription, and R-Design). It is powered by one of three four-cylinder powertrains. While entry-level T5 models are powered by a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, the T6 has a 316-hp turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter inline-four, while in the T8 variant, plug-in hybrids supplement the engine with an electric motor for a combined 400 horsepower. All 2018 XC60s have an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive as standard features.