VOLVO is launching a range of car seats, more than half a century after it began examining them in crash tests.

Volvo began investigating car seats in the early 1960s and now it is launching a range of three new seats with a focus on design, comfort and convenience.

“We understand that many people find child safety in cars a complex and sometimes confusing subject. We have focused for many years on communicating clear guidelines around how child seats should be used and the correct way to install them,” said Lotta Jakobsson from the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

Teaching adults how to install and operate a child seat is one thing, getting the child to stay in the seat is another entirely – especially when the child gets older.

“Our focus is on ensuring that young children travel in the safest manner possible, depending upon their size and age.

"This means rearward-facing up to the age of at least three or four years, and after that with child seats or booster cushions until the child is up to 140cm in height.

"The safety benefits are unquestionable, yet many parents unwittingly allow their children to sit forward-facing too early. One of the many reasons quoted for this is comfort – the child complains that there is not enough legroom, or is too warm due to the upholstery,” said Ms Jakobsson.

Volvo's new generation of child seats are made with a more breathable and comfortable upholstery comprised of 80 per cent wool textile which it says makes the seats smoother to the touch, highly durable, and better-performing in both hot and cold climates. The seats also have a slimmer design, aimed to increase legroom and overall comfort.

“We believe that children will be more comfortable in our rearward-facing new seat and that this will encourage parents to keep their children rearward-facing for longer. This will have a direct impact on overall child safety and support our Vision 2020, where no one will be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo car by the year 2020,” added Ms Jakobsson.