I hope Volvo returns to amber turn signals in USA/NA.

There is 2 reasons why this will never happen:

1.) Designers like the single color of red lenses, it's more visually cohesive and pleasing to a design. Orange clashes badly with some paint colors, and this is preferred by many consumers as well.

2.) The REAL REASON this will not change is because of Volvo's adaptive emergency brake lights. When the car auto brakes, or a panic braking situation is detected not just the normal rear brake lights are activated. Additional lights are turned on, significantly increasing the light surface area in an effort to warn followers the car is braking. It's designed to grab your attention, be seen better in poor visibility conditions, and in some markets part of the brake lights flash (where allowed by law).

Different markets with different laws, rear fog light configurations, etc means not all cars are the same, but in most places the turn signals are illuminated along with the normal brake lights to create this increased brake light pattern. Of course brake lights must be red, so the turn signals must also be red in order to comply with laws and adhere to the international understanding of "red lights mean stop". If there were orange turn signals they could not be used in conjunction with the emergency braking lights, and Volvo's light layout doesn't allow for another option. So red turn signals are there, but it's because of increased safety. Right or wrong, that's the reasoning behind the design.

 

"Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. American regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals have historically asserted there is no proven safety benefit to amber signals, though it has been recognized since the 1960s that amber turn signals are more quickly spotted than red ones.[43][44][45] International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals,[46] and U.S. studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to stop lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red.[46][47][48][49][50] A 2008 U.S. study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests vehicles with amber rear signals rather than red ones are up to 28% less likely to be involved in certain kinds of collisions,[51] and a 2009 NHTSA study determined there is a significant overall safety benefit to amber rather than red rear turn signals.[52]"

 

Yeah doesn't make any sense to me that Volvo would go to the effort/expense to duplicate the parts for red signals. And the clash with the amber mirror signals just looks plain stupid. If any European brand would prioritize safety over stupid (design), I would expect it to be Volvo.

But, vendors like Viva have capitalized on this!

Genuine Volvo European Tail Lamp Kit, Volvo XC90 2016+ - ViVA Performance

"Factory US Spec Tail Lamps on the 2016+ Volvo XC90's blink red when using your turn signal. Our Genuine Volvo European Tail Lamps blinks orange when the turn signal is activated. This provides a sleek and more modern look to your XC90. In addition to looks, the amber blinkers will let drivers know you are turning versus a blinking red light that can be mistaken for brake lights." (marketing message, but I agree)

 

If any European brand would prioritize safety over stupid (design), I would expect it to be Volvo.

No offense meant, but what makes you an expert in the field of turn signal color safety versus the actual experts in the field of turn signal color safety, and how did you arrive at the conclusion that amber turn signals are in fact safer than red?

 

It's kind of a science thing. I don't debate deniers.

Just posted on XC60 board:

Turn signals — amber or red? Yes, it matters | aCarPlace

What color should rear turn signals be? In North America they’re usually red, and can also be amber. Almost everywhere else in the world, they have to be amber. Traffic moves and changes quickly.

www.acarplace.com

 

It's like no one even read my post..... In the USA Volvo illuminates the turn signals during panicked braking along with the normal brake lights, increasing safety awareness. You can't have orange brake lights. Hence, turn signals are red in the USA. It really is that simple.

 

Personally that sounds like little increase of safety awareness. There's already enough brake light illumination. Besides, the rest of the world has panic/emergency braking (flashing red), alongside rapid flashing of the hazard (amber lights). When the vehicle approaches a slower speed, the amber hazards continue to flash in standard speed. That seems more visible. Not trying to argue or sound rude, just seems like an unnecessary addition to a nonissue. If it was safer then all other countries (194), would have it and would be mandatory.

 

So much useful info here guys, thanks

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So much useful info here guys, thanks

Yep, the linked article is really informative for those that choose to read it.

So, thoughts on Pine Grey?

 

It's a nice colour, quite unique

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It's a nice colour, quite unique

Yes I saw it live yesterday for the very first time, not at all what I thought it would be from configurator web site. Muted color, but still color, vs. the universe of black, while, silver, grey. Denim Blue is a bit less-subtle, but also doesn't scream "color!" at you.

Suddenly at the top of my watch list for what's available in a few years.

 

Cool

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I was sort of in the same boat during my early shopping trips to look at colors. I fell in love with the Pine Grey and it will be my first choice should I buy off the lot and if I do OSD it will definitely be the color I choose.

In regards to the turn signal lights I much prefer the amber as it offers a contrast from the brake lights when I see them on a vehicle in front of me. Some vehicles with red on red are more difficult to differentiate, like my wife’s 2016 Honda Pilot. When I follow her somewhere it is not immediately obvious to me that she is turning if she is braking at the same time. That MY Pilot, in my opinion, has rather small brake/signal surface areas. I think Honda switched to amber signals in more recent MY’s on the Pilot.

While I do prefer the amber signals I think the design shape of the Volvo signals makes them easier to see than some applications of red on red.

 

In regards to the turn signal lights I much prefer the amber as it offers a contrast from the brake lights when I see them on a vehicle in front of me. Some vehicles with red on red are more difficult to differentiate, like my wife's 2016 Honda Pilot. When I follow her somewhere it is not immediately obvious to me that she is turning if she is braking at the same time. That MY Pilot, in my opinion, has rather small brake/signal surface areas. I think Honda switched to amber signals in more recent MY's on the Pilot.

This little turn signal thing has become something I can't unsee. Just yesterday, I was stopped behind an XC60 that was indicating a turn - with mirror flashing amber, taillight flashing red. Its a clash and just radiates as unnecessary and shallow - why bother investing in a production change from otherwise global specs? If Volvo thinks red signals are safety-superior, where's the global campaign to argue for this change across all markets?

Just seems like Volvo underestimated customers' level of sophistication in picking up on an arguably-minor production change for NA that landed somewhere between unnecessary and stupid.

 

If

1. Volvo did all amber turn signals for models prior to the SPA XC90
2. then switched to red for the SPA XC90
3. then reverted back to amber for all newer models

then I think that pretty much sums up what Volvo thinks of red amber signals [emoji106]

(I wonder what happened to the person who made the decision to go red? Working at Coca-Cola now?)

 

I wonder if Volvo will switch back, I hope so. Hopefully they don't double-down on red for NA just to save face.

If they do switch back, could simply cite return to design consistency across markets and leave it at that.

 

One thing to remember, irrespective of the turn signal color is that the US spec rear lamp cluster is still different from other markets since it has to include a side marker light and reflector (just like the headlamp assembly has to include an amber marker light and reflector).

 

If you want amber turn signals, why not buy a 2021 XC40? Or even the 2021 Recharge? Both have amber rear turn signals in the USA.

 

Wife + three kids. By the time we'll be shopping seriously, one will be teenager old enough to drive (yikes), with twin younger brothers - 12. Best if they can't touch each other, now and forever.

 

Did everyone seriously not read my comment? I used to work for Volvo..... The decision for red turn signals on SPA vehicles stems from ONE reason.....emergency braking. The turn signals illuminate in a panic stop to increase awareness to those following. You can't have the turn signals be orange if you want them to illuminate as panic brake lights. So the lights are red. It's that simple. Why are people still debating over why Volvo did this? There is no debate, we know....emergency braking is the answer.

 

I think we're still debating because Volvo doesn't feel strongly enough about this justification to make the case globally that just about every other country needs to change its rules and require red turn signals.

 

Every market has different rules for safety systems including lighting. for instance, the US requires side marker lights and reflectors, while most markets do not. Hence, for example, we have amber reflectors and side marker lights in the headlamp cluster while the rest of the world does not.

 

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Very few drivers use turn signals where I live and probably all across the US. This is the real safety issue. But I agree that yellow is more noticeable.