Volvo V40
Vanessa Hinkley Checks Out Volvos Stylish But Rather Compact V40 Estate
Theres no doubt that Volvos S40 and V40 have found a ready market in the UK. The curvy lines of the saloon and estate versions are a refreshing change from the rather boxy image
Volvo had in the past and, as my latest test drive in the V40 turbo diesel reconfirmed for me, the overall package is very pleasing. That said, I would not necessarily have chosen a diesel engine for my own use. On the other hand, drivers with a keen eye on running costs would find either of Volvos latest 1.
9-litre turbo diesel engines hard to fault. The most major changes are under the bonnet. Many will remember the 95bhp 1.9-litre direct-injection engine sourced from
Renault, but nowadays the Volvo campaigns with a modern common rail unit developing 115bhp.
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The V40 is a roomy touring rather than estate car. You may struggle to shift that old Welsh dresser in the back, but it will absorb a busy familys everyday needs. Lifestyle is certainly heavily hinted at by the exterior curves, but this car is more than just a fashion statement. The roomy boot, with the handy net on one side to secure smaller items of luggage, is easy to load.
Inside, theres plenty of room for five passengers and the driving position is logical and comfortable. As importantly,
Volvo has not forgotten its old raison dêtre, safety. Chief amongst these is Inflatable Curtain (IC) airbag technology, a legacy from the S/V 40s newer big brothers, the S80 and V70. The curtain-shaped bag substantially reduces the risk of head injuries in a side impact by inflating in 25 thousandths of a second (how do they measure that?) to cover the upper part of the inside of the car from the front to rear pillars. A drivers airbag is, of course, standard with the passenger one still a no-cost option as Volvo shuns switch-off systems and maintains that parents dont want an airbag in front of a child
seat.
Speaking of which, the new Isofix mounting system is now standard for the rear seats, too.
The V40 and its saloon equivalent have, in my view, real roadgoing presence. Their looks alone lift them above bread-and-butter contenders in the family sector and I loved the classy red of my test car. I hadnt sat inside one of these cars for a while and appreciated the latest round of changes. The leather lined interior seemed particularly generous given the cars modest price.
On the road, I found the 1.9-litre 115bhp engine willing and very frugal, if not quite as eager or refined as its petrol-powered equivalent, especially from a standing start. My first manoeuvre in the mornings involves pulling out of a cul-de-sac to turn right onto a busy main road. As if that wasnt bad enough, the turning is on the crest of a steep hill and a cold diesel engine, turbo or otherwise, can make a bit of a meal of this.
Given time - and out on the open road - my V40 came into its own. Its not the quietest diesel on the market, but compared with a contender I recently drove for a week or so, its far from noisy. The excellent stereo is a big plus. Phase II changes have apparently been made to the chassis to make the cars even more appealing to enthusiastic drivers while keeping the overall emphasis on the safe, predictable handling that traditional buyers like me expect.
When you study the price list, its clear that Volvo have chosen to pitch their prices below the quality turbo diesel competition. My V40 turbo diesel would cost from £17,905 on the road. The £19,405 2.0T Sport Lux model combines the looks of the Sport models with the luxury of the SE trim level to agreeable effect At launch several years ago, base models were just that rather basic.
But thats no longer the case. Continuous specification upgrades have given all S40s and V40s leather seats, air conditioning, remote control central locking, electric front windows and electrically adjusted and heated door mirrors. You can also choose various option packs with extra features that cost less than youd pay if you order them individually from the lengthy list. New options include gas discharge headlamps and satellite navigation integrated with the stereo.
The V40 is without doubt a smartly presented package and, if fuel economy was a big issue, this turbo diesel offers a very reasonable combined mpg of 52mpg. Not to be sneezed at
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