Sexy Swede Gets More Svelte

By now we all know that the Volvo XC90 was crowned 2016’s Car of The Year by the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists. And its signature look? Those ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED daytime headlamps, and Volvo ‘iron mark’ grille at the end of its nose. The XC90 currently serves as style pioneer for all Volvo models, and second in line (in SA) to receive those award-winning design cues, is the new Volvo V40.

So what’s new?

Apart from the striking new T-shaped headlamps available as standard on the Inscription and R-Design models), the V40’s face gets a grille with vertical bars, with the Volvo ‘iron mark’ smack-bang in the middle. The range-topping, sporty R-Design-derivatives get a horizontal, pixelated-effect grille to differentiate it from the rest. At the rear, the V40 stays unchanged. But that was a good rear to begin with, so messing with it would have been a mistake. There are some sexy new wheel designs to further jazz things up, and new exterior colours to choose from, such as Bursting Blue, Denim Blue, Amazon Blue, Luminous Sand and Mussel Blue.

Each Volvo V40 (including R-Design and Cross Country-models) have 2.0-litre Drive-E Engines powering them, except the V40 T3 Automatic, which is driven by a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol powertrain. Volvo varies the turbocharger technology and tuning between the different ‘T’ (petrol)  and ‘D’ (diesel) designations: the D2 has 88kW, the D3 110kW, and the D4 has 140kW. T3’s output is 112kW, T4 has a healthy 140kW and the T5 has a walloping 180kW on tap. Available gearboxes comprise 6-speed manual, 6-speed Geartronic, and 8-speed Geartronic auto. Polestar performance parts are available for fitment to any Volvo V40-variant.

In(SIGH)ed

The interior of the V40 is all luxuriously soft leather and clean, inviting surfaces. Volvo’s seats have been designed and developed with the help of orthopaedic surgeons way back when already, so fatigued backs are beautifully supported while you drive - quite important if you tend to be stuck behind your desk all day or if you have weak core muscles. The floating centre stack’s decor panels are new, available in a choice of Milled Aluminium, Black Grid Aluminium or Stealth Aluminium (R-Design only.) Modern Wood is available on the V40 Cross Country, of which the ride height has been raised to 145 mm. The flagship V40 Cross Country T5 is all-wheel-driven.
For a more fashionable, urban look, there is the option of selecting tweed-like ‘City Weave’ upholstery which was inspired by the Volvo Concept Estate (See images above). It’s available on all models, except the R-Design.

V40’s driven on launch

I opted for a Volvo V40 T4 Inscription (pictured) before lunch, and a V40 Cross Country D3 Momentum in the afternoon.

I was quite taken with the T4’s titillating (and turbo lag-less) 140 kW engine, as we made our way to Hout Bay on the clearest, coldest day of the year. It’s just a pity the steering is so light and which removes some of the driving enjoyment one should have felt in the V40’s excellent Ford Focus-derived chassis. But what a pleasure to be seated inside the luxurious, uplifting cabin, which feels properly premium. Using the buttons on the elegant centre console to adjust various settings or to find radio stations couldn’t be easier. And  those seats are just as comfy as they look. Refinement is a thing the Swedes take very seriously.

But to me, the V40 Cross Country D3 Momentum (R452 700) was the star of the two.  Apart from looking deliciously outdoorsy in a very elegant, Swedish way, it’s an absolute dream to drive. Softer, but perfectly composed, it’s a joy to the senses. Everything in the Cross Country works together in perfect harmony, instilling a sense of being in my own serene, protective bubble, far removed from all that is unwell in the world. There may not be as much space on the rear bench or in the boot as the VW Golf, but the perceived sense of quality and sophistication is so much higher. Cocooned from the traffic and noise and riff-raff in the streets outside, I just felt so much less likely to curse at my fellow road users. The Swedish music coming from the High Performance Audio system further soothed my frazzled city senses. I took the liberty of immediately booking one for a dirt road-trip review in September, because this is one car I’d like to spend a couple of thousand kays in.

Equipped as standard: Kinetic models

As a classy alternative to the Ford Focus, BMW 1 Series, Opel Astra and VW Golf, the Swedes tend to stock their cars well with practical equipment. Kinetic models (D2 and T2) get audio gear such as 6 speakers, AUX input, dual-zone climate control, electric windows, a leather steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever surround, 8 cup holders, 2 x 12V power sockets, remote central locking, alloys, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, daytime running lights, a roof spoiler and tyre pressure monitor.

Mid-level standard features: Momentum models

Above and beyond the previous list of specs, Momentum derivatives get 17- or 19-inch wheels, heated /electrically adjustable side mirrors with puddle lighting, rear parking sensors, leather seats, an electrically powered driver’s seat with memory function, cruise control and rain-sensing wipers.

Standard features on high-end Inscription models

These are specced with the Thor’s Hammer headlamps, chrome grille, digital instrument cluster, an electrically adjustable passenger seat, interior lighting package, high-performance sound system (that plays DVD’s) with Bluetooth and USB input, as well as Volvo’s Connected Service Booking.

R-Design tops the chart

The sportiest V40 of them all gets the R-Design badging and all the kit, including perforated leather seats, a sports steering wheel, sports pedals and the body styling upgrade. There are two extended R-Design packages (with even more extras) to choose from.

Option Packs

The Base Pack (for Kinetic models only) comprise Cruise Control, a digital instrument cluster, rain sensor, parking sensors (front and rear) and Volvo’s high performance sound system, from R15 750.
Then there are the more comprehensive Sport, Techno and Premium packs for those who can spend a few more bucks.

Standard Safety

Volvo is the poster boy for automotive safety and inside the V40 will be a good place to be if things go South. Even if you didn’t select any packs, you’ve got seven airbags and ABS, EBD, stability and traction control to keep you and your most beloved people from harm. Volvo’s nifty City Safety will bring you to a halt should you be in danger of colliding with someone. The V40’s safety assistance systems scored full marks in EuroNCAP’s crash tests.

Optional Safety

There’s Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System(BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, Volvo’s Driver Alert System, Lane Keeping Aid (pushes you back into your lane if the Volvo suspects you’re veering off, and will even steer gently), autonomous braking for cyclists and pedestrians, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Quite the list of things to keep your head, head, spine and vital organs intact, if you can afford to pay for the privilege. The V40 is also the only car that can be specced with a passenger airbag.

The final Say

Are we smitten? I have to admit that I am quite taken with the V40, but the Cross Country. It’s minimalistic but cosy, it’s sexy as heck and it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I step inside it. Go to www.volvocars.co.za and go and build yourself a Swede to swoon over.

Pricing
V40 D2 6-sp manual	Kinetic, Momentum, Inscription or R-Design from	R351 100
V40 D3  6-sp Geartronic	Momentum, Inscription or R-Design	R432 400
V40 D4  8-sp Geartronic	V40 D4  8-sp Geartronic	R442 400
V40 T3   6-sp manual	Kinetic, Momentum, Inscription or R-Design from	R337 700
V40 T3   6-sp Geartronic	Momentum, Inscription or R-Design	R396 500
V40 T4   6-sp manual	Momentum, Inscription or R-Design	R400 200
V40 T4   6-sp Geartronic	Momentum, Inscription or R-Design	R420 300
V40 T5   8-sp Geartronic	Momentum, Inscription or R-Design	R459 700

The V40 Cross Country range continues to include five main models, available in Momentum or Inscription-guise with either petrol or diesel engines, and manual or automatic gearboxes.

V40 Cross Country D3	6-sp Geartronic	Momentum or Inscription	R452 700
V40 Cross Country D4	8-sp Geartronic	Momentum or Inscription	R469 300
V40 Cross Country T4	6-sp manual	Momentum or Inscription	R412 500
V40 Cross Country T4	6-sp Geartronic	Momentum or Inscription	R432 600
V40 Cross Country T5 AWD	8-sp Geartronic	Momentum or Inscription	R504 400

                                        
All V40 and V40 Cross Country models in South Africa are sold with a 5-year/ 100 000 km warranty, a 5-year/ 100 000 km Volvo Plan (full maintenance plan), Tracker Connect and tinted Llumar smash-and-grab-protected glass.