Volvo 40 series sedan and wagon come with compact dimensions
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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STEVENS PASS, Wash. -- Sweden's automaker Volvo has developed a lively new sedan and wagon -- the S40 and V40 -- which contain the kind of precision handling hardware and sophisticated safety systems found on the pricy larger sedans and wagons in Volvo's fleet.
Yet these newest Volvos, sized to the dimensions of a compact car and equipped with a long list of luxury features as well as a gutsy turbo-charged engine, come ashore in North America with price points which position them well within the reach of those with less than luxury-car budgets.
With these new products, the automaker obviously goes after a new audience that's perhaps younger and a little less affluent than the traditional buyer of a Volvo. It's a bold move for a company heretofore known for sturdy designs and elaborate safety gear stuffed into husky sedans and wagons -- but also some healthy price tags.
The concept behind the 40 series seems simple: Build a car that's smaller in overall size but rigged with the kind of equipment found on larger Volvos, then somehow keep a lid on prices.
Figures begin at $22,900 for a S40 sedan and $23,900 for the V40 wagon, each packing standard equipment including an automatic climate system, power operation for windows and door locks, keyless entry and security system. These prices, which exclude a $575 delivery fee, fall about $5,000 below the entry point of Volvo's mid-size 70 series sedans and wagons, and $13,000 less than the mid-size Volvo S80 flagship sedan.
Styling of the S40 appears remarkably similar to the S80 sedan, only the new car measures to smaller proportions. The shape organizes around a basic wedge-shaped shell with tall tail and low tapering nose capped by the boxy chrome grille worn by all Volvos. An accented waistline streaks down each flank from front to rear, with bold shoulders bulging above front wheelwells.
If you're familiar with the S80's form, this new one looks like a version cast in miniature.
The cabin does not feel like it's merely a miniature car, however, as it's airy inside with ample room for heads and shoulders and legs to stretch, and there are comfort touches aboard to make life easy when you're aboard plus two extremely comfortable front bucket seats.
Both the four-door sedan and five-door wagon carry the same external dimensions and ride on the same platform with a transverse-mounted front engine pushing power to the front wheels, although the interiors configure differently behind the front seats due to a flexible seat arrangement in the wagon.
The S40 uses a sedan's familiar layout: Two bucket seats in front of a bench for three, with three-point belts plus head restraints for all five seats.
The V40 wagon holds the same plan for seats but adds a rear storage bay accessed by the rear liftgate, with back seats folding forward in sections to create more room for cargo in flexible increments.
&&& In the cockpit everything orients toward the driver with analog instruments displayed in an ergonomic design and a center stack section of the dashboard angled towards the person seated behind an adjustable steering wheel.
&&& Controls include power-operated and heated rear view mirrors, and power windows in front and rear plus one-touch down feature for the driver's window. Between the two front seats, a console mounts to the floor with an adjustable armrest stacked on top.
&&& The center stack houses an audio system and the standard electronic climate control system. After selecting a desired temperature, the climate system regulates fan speed and distributes air automatically to maintain the preferred cabin temperature.
&&& An on-board audio system includes an AM/FM radio and cassette deck with six speakers and optional upgrade to a CD changer with six discs. In addition, a premium speaker system applies deluxe speakers and for the V40 includes an active bass speaker with integrated 80-watt amplifier in the rear side panel.
Both sedan and wagon provide an extensive collection of safety and security features in the Volvo tradition, beginning with central locking for doors with remote control from a key fob and a panic button that activates an alarm. Volvo's Home Safe Lighting is also standard, whereby the car's headlamps hold on low beams for 30 seconds after you leave the vehicle.
The rigid structure of sedan and wagon rings the passenger compartment with high-strength steel and adds crumple zones in front and rear and reinforcements on doors vulnerable to side intrusions.
Driver and front passenger have frontal air bags plus seat-mounted air bags to cushion against a side crash. These side bags contain a lower section which shields the chest and abdomen plus an upper section to protect the head.
To guard against whiplash effect from rear-end impacts, front seatbacks incorporate innovative mechanisms which move the seats rearward during impact and reduce by half the acceleration forces induced on a rider's back and neck.
For active safety by an alert driver, all 40 series cars come with quick-response rack and pinion steering and disc brakes tied to a computerized anti-lock system.
The brakes employ a force distributor which monitors behavior of rear wheels in relation to the front ones and then controls braking force electronically to match the degree of braking and on-board load. Net effect: Full directional stability and steering ability is maintained, regardless of load weight or how hard brakes may be applied.
Also, Volvo's Dynamic Stability Assistance traction control device can be added as an option to either the sedan or wagon.
As for power, the S40 and V40 draw from an aluminum four-cylinder engine which displaces 1.9 liters and has dual overhead camshafts and a light-pressure turbo-charger. With high torque achieved at relatively low engine speed and the typical turbo lag minimized, this little plant impresses with its quiet demeanor and rapid throttle response.
Coupled to a four-speed automatic transaxle with three shift modes, the engine produces 160 hp and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds.
Road tests through the Cascade Range in the state of Washington east of Seattle revealed that the S40 can act lively even at highway speed with surges for passing. It's stable and tight in construction, aggressive in a sporty manner when cornering -- and still comfortable to drive after hours of seat time.
Although these small Volvos support significant content in standard gear, options permit customizing through several packages such as for touring and sporty performance.
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| 2000 VOLVO 40 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact sedan, wagon
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| Model Options: |
Compact sedan, wagon
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| Wheelbase: |
100.4 inches
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| Overall Length: |
176.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 1.9-L I4 Turbo
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
21/28 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 23,475 to $ 29,275 |
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