seismick Volvo was first maker to fit side airbags, to the 850 IIRC. Now their policy was to transfer safety features to other models, and the 940 and 960 should have got these before they finished production. So if you got a 1997 build, what are the chances it will have side airbags?
Chris Yes they did and I have seen later 960s here with side bags. Not sure when they started and not sure if Aus 940s got them at all.
Spac I haven't seen any 940s with side airbags. Not saying that they didn't exist, but i haven't seen or heard mention of them. Haven't seen enough late 960s/x90s to comment either way.
Spac FWIW, this is the from Redbook, for the 96 945S (latest 940 they have). I'm always cautious of taking Redbook as gospel, but it fits with what I've seen:
Anthony Redbook- and I'm yet to see a 940/945 with steel rims. Every now and then we have to remind ourselves Australia is a very small market and what was spec'd for OZ will be different to USA Europe U.K. Etc. For the era, the majority of the time at least we got the bigger engines. But not the latest in number of airbags or Abs brakes all round.
Angus242164 I've seen quite a few 940GL's with steel rims, the same 15x6" style as late 740GL's. I've also seen at least one late 940S with steel wheels, presumably this is a base model with a B230FK? I parked next to a facelifted 960 Royal yesterday which had a sticker saying something about side protection on the rear door window just behind the B pillar, I can't remember exactly what it said but it seemed to indicate it had side airbags.
PaddlerEd SIPS was put in on the late 940's, but was more floor pan controlled collapse rather than the later SIPS in the 850 onwards which included airbags.
Major Ledfoot The Cleever (93 945T) with SIPS didn't have any side impact airbags in the original front seats.
Philia_Bear 940s never ever got side impact airbags in any market The sips crap was just marketing lies to make them seam more competitive Yes there was more steel but the difference was miniscule and was more there for offset frontal instead of side impact