Volvo plays it safe with new S40
22 August 2003 The handsome family car echoes the stylish design of its bigger brother. However, as Ford has now become Volvo's parent company, it rides on the same underpinnings as the Focus C-Max MPV and forthcoming Focus hatchback. That should make the Volvo considerably better to drive than its predecessor, although we haven't got behind the wheel yet. Five-cylinder 2.4-litre petrol versions offer 170bhp while a turbocharger boosts that figure to 220bhp. A new 2.0-litre, 136bhp turbodiesel developed by Ford with Peugeot-Citroen also makes an appearance from launch. Later in the year a 107bhp, 1.6-litre version of this engine will arrive alongside a 100bhp, 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit and slightly larger 120bhp 1.8. Being a Volvo, the new S40 majors on safety and will be equipped with a full complement of airbags and electronic skid-avoidance systems. The company is confident it will achieve the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, and claims it will beat rivals such as the Toyota Avensis and Renault Laguna to become the safest model in its class. The new S40 has a longer wheelbase than the old car within a shorter overall length, but it's also wider and taller, so there's more room for passengers. Estate models, badged V50, will be on sale by summer 2004 and are likely to cost £1000 more than their saloon siblings. The old S40 will continue to be built until the middle of next year, and so will be available alongside the new version for much of 2004. |
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