Cool, calm and collected Volvo V40
The Volvo Car Company has had quite a torrid time of it
these past four years or so. Ford sold them on from their Premier Auto Group of
cars, due in the main to sales dropping worldwide. Such a shame really that
such a solid company should suffer in this way. Taken over by the scruff of the
neck by Geely, reputedly the largest car building company in China … things can
only get better from now on, methinks.
There’s always something special to take note of when
driving a Volvo – something new in the safety world that has other
manufacturers clamouring like mad to emulate. A pal of mine bought a new car
recently and while extolling the virtues of his new pride and joy pointed
towards warning light(s) that illuminate when a vehicle is about to overtake in
the wing mirrors … and an audible ‘lane changing warning device’ … “that’s not
entirely new – maybe to your brand – but Volvo came up with those ideas some
years ago!” I said.
Building on Volvo’s pedigree and heritage down the years
they currently offer a 64-model line-up – quite diverse, in fact – and I was
eagerly looking forward to one of their turbodiesel V40 (D3) models that came
my way late last month.
I’m not sure long-term what the mighty Geely company will do
with their Scandinavian flagship model (remember Tata have Land Rover and
Jaguar), but in my eyes the Volvo name still stands tall as a quality made,
ultra-safe, highly-pedigreed vehicle to drive and own.
Kudos was immediately paid to the marque – there’s actually a
slot on the dash to put the keyless entry fob for once – not merely tossing it
into the centre console and forgetting all about the damn thing … put on the
safety belts and they simply glide into place – you just know this is a really
safe place to be while driving.
There’s more to like as the test drive progresses … in the
Volvo V40, the driver-centric approach is enhanced with a new, fully graphic
instrument cluster (called Sensus) that allows the driver to personalise
instrument layout and the information provided. The connectivity features
include a mobile application that keeps the driver in touch with the car when
it is parked.
The president and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation reckons:
"The all-new V40 has the most intuitive driver interface ever in a Volvo.
We believe that the ultimate luxury is to own a car that fits you, understands
you and evolves together with you. You jump in behind the wheel for the first
time. You take a look at the dashboard - and you find everything so functional
and obvious that you are ready to take off directly."
Meanwhile, Håkan Abrahamsson, vehicle line programme manager
believes: “Expressive the V40 certainly is – especially under the bonnet. The
all-new V40 is the most intelligent and safe Volvo model so far. All its
features are designed around the driver, helping him or her stay alert and well
informed to avoid collisions and dangerous situations, with this class-leading
safety package, including enhanced focus on pedestrian protection, the all-new
V40 aims for a full star rating in the new, sharpened 2012 Euro NCAP safety
tests."
During my few days with the V40 (D3) I must say they have
ranked among the very best for some considerable time. Niggles were few and far
between … for instance, I found the simple act of locating MW over FM and back
again a little frustrating while hunting around the centre stack. To ease my
frustration the two-piece, 40:60 rear seat backrest proved a real boon because
it can be easily folded in any which way you like to carry the odd-shaped
packages that I needed to deliver. It’s also worth remembering this is a full
five-seater vehicle …
What’s it like to drive, I hear you say. In a nutshell,
superb.
Factor in a whole raft of safety features – some unique to
the Volvo marque – and it’s plain to see the D3’s appeal. Highlighting one of
features that comes to mind is the corner traction control: a new feature that
uses torque vectoring so the car corners even more smoothly. The car's inner
driven wheel is braked, causing more power to be transmitted to the outer
driven wheel. This allows the driver to corner more tightly while reducing any
tendency to understeer.
This system makes it easier to smoothly maintain the desired
line on winding roads, in roundabouts and on wet surfaces. Corner Traction
Control is a huge asset when exiting from a small side road to merge swiftly
with faster highway traffic.
Isn’t this what we’ve come to expect from the erudite Volvo
Car Company?
Diesel engines Configuration Output Torque
D3 2.0 5-cyl
in-line 110
kW 350
Nm
D2 1.6 4-cyl
in-line 84
kW 270
Nm
Prices
V40 D3 Geartronic Excel R339 800
V40 D3 Geartronic Elite R353 700
V40 D3 Geartronic R-Design R363 300
(Includes 14% VAT and Co2 tax)
Specifications
Motor: 5-cyl, 1984cc turbodiesel
Power: 110kW @ 3500 rpm
Torque: 350 Nm from 1500-2750 rpm
0-100 km/h: 9.3 seconds
Top Speed: 205 km/h (estimated)
Fuel tank: 60 litres
Notable innovative features: Self-parking assist (parallel
parking)
Drive: FWD
Price as tested: R363 300
