Volvo S40 Range
Most of the tough stuff had already been done by the time Volvos S40 arrived at the start of 2004. Changing Volvos image from purely a manufacturer of setsquare vehicles built like tanks to that of a proper premium car maker producing modern, relevant, desirable models was a burden shouldered by cars like the original C70 and the S60. The S40 rode on the coat tails of this change in perception and did very nicely as a result. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Volvo did much to capitalise on the markets rapid acceptance of the S40, rolling out new engines and trim levels with frightening pace.
| Build |  |
| Comfort | |
| Depreciation |  |
| Economy | |
| Equipment | |
| Handling | |
| Insurance | |
| Performance | |
| Styling | |
| Value |  |
0-litre petrols followed by a 2.0-litre 136bhp diesel. Step up again and theres a 170bhp 2.4-litre five-cylinder petrol and a 180bhp five-cylinder D5 diesel thats now offered with a slick six-speed manual transmission.
The range is finally topped off by another five, this time the T5, now packing another 10bhp, lifting the total to 230bhp. If none of these appease you environmental conscience, theres always the 1.8-litre Flexifuel model which runs on either normal unleaded or renewable E85 Bioethanol. As youd expect, the S40 rides on the same basic chassis set up as its estate counterpart, the V50, but it also shares the same underpinnings as other Ford group models like the Ford Focus and the Mazda3.
Thats not to say the S40 is simply a rebodied Focus. Although the underbody, subframes and suspension layouts are the same on all these models, theres vast scope for tuning of individual aspects, so all drive differently. Volvo hasnt skimped when it comes to safety, and they claim that the S40 is as good to crash in as the flagship S80 saloon. Making a small car as safe as a big un takes some doing and its only when you look at some of the finer points of how Volvo have achieved this that you realise quite what this commitment means.
It involves casting the turbo housing as one with the exhaust manifold so that the engine is more compact when mounted transversely, giving more space for crush zones. It means developing the Intelligent Driver Information System which monitors how hard youre using the throttle, brakes and steering and will hold incoming telephone calls or satellite navigation instructions until things have calmed down so as not to distract you in the middle of a manoeuvre. It means using four different grades of high tensile steel for crash protection. The hazard lights now switch on when the car detects an airbag inflation and during hard braking or when the anti lock is activated the emergency brake lights function flashes all three brake lights five times a second to warn following drivers.
"Volvo hasnt skimped when it comes to safety"
Volvo has made some small incremental improvements to the cars look and feel. At the front end, the chrome-framed egg-crate grille has been reprofiled and features a bigger Volvo badge. Clear lensed headlights and a wider air intake look a little more distinctive, while at the back theres a revised LED tail light assembly as well as a modified bumper, boot handle and tail pipe design. Drop inside and the key design feature remains.
Its a centre console thats a softly contoured moulding featuring supremely easy to use controls and fresh air behind it. You can even specify aluminium or semi-transparent plastic finishes and everybody who gets in will notice it. This is probably the neatest interior design feature weve come across since the original Audi TT was launched. Like that TTs cabin, the S40s feels like it belongs on a motor show stand.
This time around, the controls have been altered while the centre tunnel storage area features a smaller handbrake and a revised armrest for better driver comfort. Better cupholders, bigger door bins and an auxiliary input for the stereo under the armrest are all included while the instrument panels on the D5 and T5 models look a little racier. Theres now the choice of Nordic Light Oak for the floating centre stack or Virtual White if youre feeling minimalist. The spaceball gear selector is present and correct on manual cars.
As with the previous S40, Volvo can only do so much with the wheelbase and space in the rear is a little tight but the huge boot comes as some consolation. Prices start at £13,750 for the 1.6 petrol. You pay £17,795 for the S specification 2.
0-litre diesel. Youll need to add £1,500 to these prices for ritzier SE trim and the SE Lux starts at £19,995 for the 1.8-litre petrol car. On the sportier side of the range, the R-Design Sport model costs from £16,600 and the R-Design SE Sport comes in at £20,495 for the 2.
0-litre petrol engine. The D5 diesel is available from £22,645 in R-Design Sport trim and comes with the Geartronic automatic gearbox, while the range-topping T5 model is priced from £21,845 with the same specification but a manual transmission. Yes, these prices are a little higher than youd pay for a car that rides on much the same chassis, such as a Ford Focus or a Mazda3 saloon, but then they feel very different cars. Volvo has worked hard to endow the S40 with its own identity and has, by and large, succeeded.
Equipment levels are very strong to boot with some really high-end options available for the car. Dynaudio speakers are fitted to the Premium Sound system and theres a hard-drive based RTI road traffic and information system for the sat nav. A lot of thought has gone into the details. Even the remote key fob has auto open and auto close functions for all side windows and the sunroof.
Water Repellent Glass is fitted to the front side windows on SE models, offering better visibility at junctions. The biggest seller in the S40 range has traditionally been the 136bhp 2.0-litre diesel car and with good reason. Once youve swallowed the initial purchase price, its reassuringly inexpensive to run.
An average fuel consumption figure of 50.4mpg suggests a lawnmower. The appeal of this S40 is the way it combines a refreshingly brisk turn of pace with outstanding economy without feeling insubstantial in any way. Quality oozes from every pore.
True, if lighter weight componentry was used, Volvo could have maybe eked a couple of extra miles per gallon from the car and improved upon the already excellent 148g/km of carbon dioxide emissions but Volvo is a brand that campaigns under Fords Premier Auto Group so it has to look and feel the part. The only S40 to really generate a sharp intake of breath in terms of running costs is the range-topping T5 sports model. Drive the T5 hard then and it will consume fuel at a determined rate, certainly nowhere near the 33mpg combined figure Volvo quote. Compensation is offered in the case of a CO2 emissions showing of 208g/km which makes it one of the cleanest cars in its class and also an insurance rating of Group 15.
If the T5 is impressive when cruising but less so when charging, why not save the expense and just opt for a lesser S40 model that may not have quite so much power but wont lack its poise in quite such a ready manner? Its an apposite question and its hard to find many justifications for the turbocharged T5. Perhaps its also a pointer as to why Volvo has quietly ditched the R range of high performance models. Despite the change in perception of Volvo as a quality brand, at present the public just dont buy a sporty Volvo. Most vehicle model ranges are inherently good or bad.
The Volvo S40 range is not that cut and dried. There are some very good versions of this car such as the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models, some pretty competent engines such as the 1.8 petrol and the D5 diesel and then there are the engine choices that genuinely leave you scratching your heads, into which wed lump the 1.
6-litre petrol, the 2.4-litre petrol and the range-topping T5. In these cases, the S40 is a car youd buy in spite of its powerplant as it does very well in virtually every other regard bar interior space. The latest set of changes arent enough to change your mind if you hold firmly entrenched views on this model but the changes do freshen things up a little and set the car up for the next few years.
Volvo needs to weed out some of the also-ran powerplants though, if they are not to affect the S40s overall image.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo S40 range
PRICES: £13,750-£24,295 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 129-210g/km
PERFORMANCE: [136bhp 2.0 diesel] Max Speed 130mph / 0-60mph 9.2s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [136bhp 2.0 diesel] (urban) 37.7mpg / (extra urban) 62.8mpg / (combined) 50.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and curtain airbags, WHIPS seats, side impact protection system
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4468/1770/1452mm
