2012 Volvo S40 Review

When the current generation of the Volvo S40 and V50 was introduced in 2003, Volvo Cars, the places were securely fastened to the young buyers of the high demands of sportiness and premium feel.

The new Volvo S40 and new Volvo V50 have made a joint statement in the market with a very refined design. A range of additional new features sharpened its competitive edge in search of discerning buyers of small cars.

"When the car came almost four years ago, we pointed out that they gave buyers the property of Volvo's larger models, but the more compact form. Now we take this approach one step further by adding" "perception of quality adult even more. At the same time, we exacerbate the differences between the two models. The new S40 moves closer to the Volvo S80 while the new V50 is more than the new Volvo V70, "says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp.

Recent data in the United States and Europe show that the company focus on younger target audience has made a significant contribution to sales.

Buyers under 35 years of more than 20 percent of

And the data in the United States, which are the most important:

The proportion of S40 buyers under 35 increased from 23 to 45 percent.

The proportion of singles has risen by 10 percent from 30 percent to 40 percent.

The average age of customers was reduced by ten years of S40 50-40.

"Moreover, the reasons for choosing the S40 are much more emotional than ever. Today's buyers speak enthusiastically of its sporty design and driving pleasure. We are also increasingly winning the image and prestige match against our toughest competitors, "reveals Fredrik Arp.

European share of V50 buyers whose main alternative was a premium car such as the large German makes is now touching 47 percent - compared to 24 percent of the previous Volvo V40.

Some clients are under 44 years increased by ten per cent of 45-55 percent. And even in Europe, more emotional reasons for purchase that are gaining ground among V50 buyers, mostly families with children in the case of S40.

Improved storage

Both design and technical refinements of the new Volvo S40 and V50 focused on improving the characteristics of the models already popular and the fight against the weaknesses identified by customers, for example when it comes to space interior storage.

"The design team exploited every cubic inch possible, and with intelligence. The new design of the center console and door panels, for example, include greater storage capacity and added even more flexibility within the country," says Fredrik Arp.

Sharp transmission range

The driving characteristics are already among the most renowned strengths of both models.

A new feature is that the T5 engine gets a performance hike of 10 horsepower, giving an output of 230 hp. There are also five other petrol engine versions available, plus a bio-ethanol Flexifuel variant:

1.6 100 hp

1.8 125 hp

1.8F 125 hp (Flexifuel)

2.0 145 hp

2.4 140 hp

2.4i 170 hp

Diesel engines, which account for 55 percent of sales S40 and V50 in Europe and 25 percent in total, available in three versions:

1.6D 109 hp

2.0D 136 hp

D5 180 hp

A change here is that in the second half of 2007 the D5 engine will also be available with a manual transmission that gives the driver no less than 400 Nm of torque against 350 Nm of the automatic transmission this engine is one of the first meet the expected Euro 5 European exhaust emission levels.

Powered by E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) produces 125 hp Flexifuel is still competitive. The Volvo S40 and V50 Flexifuel are sold in nine European countries and in 2007 accounted for 8 percent of total sales of these models.

Now with active headlights

When it comes to safety, the new S40 and V50 come with several new features:

Active bi-xenon option to rotate the beam in the direction of the road when the driver turns the steering wheel.

Flashing car distress are automatically activated when the airbags are deployed, a feature that helps attract the attention of other drivers in an accident involving one vehicle in the dark, for example.

The brake lights now have the EBL (Emergency Brake lights) function, which causes them to flash rapidly when the driver stamps hard on the brake pedal to effective monitoring of traffic behind the car.

World-class audio system

The new Volvo S40 and V50 can be equipped with an audio system of absolute world class.

The most advanced of the three systems, Premium Sound, has a digital amplifier from Alpine, Dolby ® Pro Logic II Surround and loudspeakers from Dynaudio of Denmark.

In High Performance and Premium Sound systems, you can play CDs and music in MP3 or WMA. This means that the CD changer can store hundreds of songs and gives the owner access to his house the music library on the move.

What's more, all audio systems are now an additional connector (AUX) for connection of other devices, such as a portable MP3 player. USB and iPod connectors are available as accessories.

One-third of total sales of Volvo Cars

Sales Target The new Volvo S40 is 75 000 cars a year.

The United States is the largest single market with one third of total sales, while in 2007 China will advance to second place due to local production of Volvo S40s about 8,000. The UK, Spain, Germany and Sweden are the largest S40 markets in Europe.

The aim of the new Volvo V50 is 70,000 cars per year. Here 85 percent of sales in Europe, with Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands are the largest individual markets.

 

"The Volvo S40 and V50 represents only a third of our total sales volume in 2007, they also play a vital role in strengthening Volvo's new models sharpen their competitiveness in all major areas and I am convinced that in general,. the new C30, which will attract new buyers and younger, "says Fredrik Arp.