IN ADDITION to twin front airbags, SV8 gets belt force-limiting technology for the front seatbelts, which also feature pyrotechnic pretensioning, while structural floorpan improvements are claimed to reduce the risk of lower limb injury.

Four-channel ABS is standard on SV8, while Commodore's braking system offers a brake pressure proportioning valve. Falcon goes one better by offering electronic brake-force distribution.

Like all Commodores, SV8 offers five three-point seatbelts, plus height adjustable front head restraints.

There is no centre rear head restraint and no front seatbelt height adjustment, while outboard rear occupants make do with non-adjustable head restraints integrated into the rear seatback.

Other standard safety features include an improved traction control system (switch pictured), child-proof rear door locking and a single central child restraint anchor.