Via World Car Fans: Volvo has put on display at its stand at the Detroit auto show a crashed car. More than that, it’s a crashed electric car, the Volvo C30 EV.

“We are the first car maker in the world to show what a truly safe electric car looks like after a crash,” said Volvo Cars CEO Stefan Jacoby.

Clearly playing to its strengths, given its reputation for safety, Volvo wanted to show how the C30 electric car’s high-voltage batteries and cables remain undamaged in the event of a collision. The danger is, of course, of an electrical mishap in the event of a crash where the high-voltage cables can pose a threat to passengers and rescue personnel.

The C30 electric car was subject to a 64 km/h (40 mph) off-set frontal collision test. The test proves how the key electrical components of the car remain intact.

“We believe that not everyone that [is] now launching or is in the process of launching electric cars are approaching the safety challenges as we are. But Volvo will never compromise on its stringent safety demands,” Jacoby said.

“Rather than relying on the promised hydrogen highway to be built, Volvo is exploring the use of an on-board reformer to process gasoline into hydrogen gas. The fuel cell will use the hydrogen gas to power the electric motor when the C30′s 24kwh battery has been depleted, more than doubling the vehicle’s range without increasing battery size,” according to CNET.

The process of creating hydrogen from gasoline is about 85% efficient when compared to using straight-up gas, according to Green Car Reports. Powering electric motors with hydrogen is twice as efficient as using gasoline when powering internal combustion engines, which lose energy in the heating process. It also solves hydrogen’s biggest problem: the infrastructure lagging behind such technology.

Because hydrogen is created as-needed, it minimizes the storage issue presented by hydrogen vehicles, which slowly leak gas and can’t be stored in garages or other enclosed spaces for fear of explosions.

Volvo is in its first phase of a “Range Extender” project, which it’s conducting with Powercell Sweden AB. The car maker expects testing of these fuel cell hybrid electric cars to start in 2012.

Thanks to CNET for this one!

The look of Volvo’s C30 roadster prototype features a bodykit inspired by the Swedish Touring Car C60.

This “insane” 400bhp output comes from a 2.5-liter turbocharged T5 engine. There’s enough tech under the car’s bonnet to control the boost in performance – the C30 Polestar Performance Concept Prototype features Brembo brakes, a Haldex all-wheel drive system and leather racing seats.

Source: Fifth Gear

Volvo is cutting corners, but now in the way you’d expect in today’s economy. They’re downsizing in both fuel consumption and emissions. Their new line of DRIVe vehicles (pictured below, Volvo’s new C30) come complete with a new transmission layout (which cuts fuel consumption 0.75%) along with low rolling resistance tires to save another 2%.

In Europe, Volvo is revitalizing their diesel consuming vehicles, namely their C30, S40 and V50 models. Expect better wind resistant design from these cars, along with higher gearbox ratios and better engine cooling and power steering operations. “An aerodynamic Volvo?” You’re heard right. The car maker hopes to ship 20,000 DRIVe vehicles to Europe next year. Hopefully, there will be someone to buy. But you won’t be missing the size Volvo drivers are use to – as company CEO Fredrik Arp says: “We wanted to demonstrate that low CO2 ratings are not solely the preserve of small diesel cars…we are also making it possible for families and other customers who require extra space to make an active pro-environmental choice.”