The Volvo V40 was first shown at the Geneva Motorshow back in March 2012, Volvo Australia has just taken the covers off the V40 in Australia.
Volvo has always been at the forefront road safety and the Volvo V40 is no different. The Volvo V40 has been awarded the highest every ranking in Euro safety rating. The Volvo V40 is the safest car in the world and is the first car in the world to have a pedestrian airbag. Seven sensors at the front of the car can distinguish impact with a pedestrian. If the sensor interprets contact with a human leg the pedestrian airbag is deployed and the bonnet is raised 10 centimetres. The added gap between the bonnet and the hard components in the engine compartment allows the bonnet to act a cushion.
Starting at just $34,990 and with free scheduled servicing for three years / 60,000kms, the All-New Volvo V40 has announced its self to the premium hatchback market in Australia.
2013 Volvo V40 Overview
Aimed squarely at the premium hatchback the market the list of standard equipment is outstanding. Inside the Bluetooth, Quality Audio System, five inch colour media centre, climate control, front and rear electric windows, leather steering wheel, trip computer, cooled glove box, folding door mirrors, chrome exterior trim and a rain sensor wipers.
The Volvo V40 Range is:
Volvo V40 D2 Kinetic $34,990* (6sp manual)
Volvo V40 D4 Kinetic $39,990* (6sp manual)
Volvo V40 D4 Kinetic $41,990* (6sp Auto)
Volvo V40 D4 Luxury $45,990* (6sp Auto)
Volvo V40 T4 Kinetic $41,990* (6sp Auto)
Volvo V40 T4 Luxury $45,990* (6sp Auto)
Volvo V40 T5 R-Design $49,990* (6sp Auto)
*Manufacturer List Pricing
“The All-New Volvo V40 is a car that offers extraordinary value for money, class-leading safety attributes, world first innovations, a stunning design and a truly dynamic drive,” said Matt Braid, Managing Director, Volvo Car Australia.
2013 Volvo V40 Engine
Volvo has launched the V40 in Australia with two diesel and two petrol engines to choose from.
T5 - Petrol (auto) 2.5 5-cyl inline 187kW 360Nm
T4 – petrol (auto) 2.0 5-cyl inline 132kW 300Nm
D4 – diesel (auto/man) 2.0 5-cyl inline 130kW 400Nm
D2 – diesel (man) 1.6 4-cyl inline 84kW 270Nm
Carshowroom spent time in the T4 luxury, T5 R-Design and the entry level D2 6-Speed manual on our drive program around Adelaide. The D2 is a smooth and quiet engine, at low revs it feels sluggish but once you are away it performs very well indeed.
The T4 petrol engine is the sweat spot in the range, it’s perfectly balanced between performance and economy. When you see a Volvo V40 on the road it will most likely be sporting the T4 badge. The engine is smooth and very quite with a great note coming out of the exhaust when driven hard.
The T5 engine is the show stopper. Quick and responsive off the line and it can go from stand still to 100km/h in just 6.1 seconds. Paired with 6 speed automatic only the only criticisms would a lack of paddle shifters and an engine note that is too quite.
2013 Volvo V40 Interior
Volvo has put a strong emphasis on ergonomics, comfort and driver aids, this makes the V40 a calming car to be in.
The new large TFT infotainment screen is a departure from the traditional instrument panel, the new screen can be customised and can be set to one of three options Eco, Elegance or Sport. With each option the driver is presented with a set of different graphics and information to aid the driving style selected.
As you would expect in a premium car it is trimmed in soft-touch materials where you expect , The seats are some of the best in class, except for the middle rear seat, this is best left to being used when you are in a bind. The illuminated gear knob on the automatic with a transparent cover ads a nice touch of bling.
Load lugging in the V40 has also been catered for with 40/60 split rear seats. With seats in place the V40 can carry 335 litres, 432 litres with the seats folded and 1,032 litres if you measure to the roofline.
2013 Volvo V40 Exterior and Styling
The 2013 Volvo V40 is a stunning looking vehicle and you can see the styling cues from the larger V60. Volvo hasdesigned the V40 with Scandinavian design virtues: clean lines; high-end materials and finish; and intuitive cutting-edge technology.
Upfront you will notice the classic V-shaped bonnet, wrap around headlights and LED day running lights that sit low in the corners. The wide shoulder line stretches all the way back to the rear doors where it sweeps up into a integrated ‘hook’ – paying homage to the classic P1800.
The rear of the car has the Volvo family DNA with high rear taillights and with the lower area blacked out to achieve an athletic, low and wide look.
2013 Volvo V40 On The Road
Composed, Smooth and rewarding are just a few words the sum of the pleasure of driving the Volvo V40. We completed around 250kms in the V40 during our day behind the wheel. The Volvo V40 is nicely balanced and has nice turn-in, body role in all three models was almost no existent.
All but the D2 where fitted with the Driver Support Pack ($5000) which includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Collision Warning and Full Auto Brake (CWAB); Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA); Driver Alert System (which includes Active High Beam, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Departure Warning, and Road Sign Information); and Park Assist Pilot.
With all the safety fitted it allows you to concentrate on driving, which is a refreshing changing. The level of fatigue you feel is greatly reduced by all these excellent driver aids.
2013 Volvo V40 Challenges
Being a Volvo will be its biggest selling point and its worst enemy. Some buyers will drawn to the car because its the safest car in the world. Others will not even consider the Volvo because it doesn’t come with a German badge.
The rear middle seat is only good if you are in a tight spot. There isn’t a chance that you would fit three Aussie adults in the back.
2013 Volvo V40 Competition
This segment has shown some serious growth of the last few years and Volvo expects that growth to continue. All the big guns have a car in the premium hatchback segment. BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, Lexus c200 and Mercedes Benz A-Class all need to be driven before you make your mind up.
2013 Volvo V40 Verdict
The Volvo V40 is a cracking car and sets out what it aims to do. Carshowroom would have like to see the D2 manual a little cheaper but you get a lot of safety for your coin.
While most people will stick with Germans the Volvo V40 is a worthy contender, an outright leader when it comes to safety which won’t be beaten anytime soon by its rivals.
You would be doing yourself a huge injustice if you didn’t a least test drive neat little premium hatchback form Scandinavia.
