The V50 is powered by a 2.4-litre (146 cu in), inline five-cylinder engine. Due to forces well beyond my minute span
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| The V50 is powered by a 2.4-litre (146 cu in), inline five-cylinder engine. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
of control, I have been fortunate enough to test two such engines this week, the other being Volkswagen's new 2.5-litre (153 cu in) inline five-banger found beneath the hood of its all-new 2006 Jetta. Interestingly, VW's slightly bigger offering produces fewer horsepower but more torque than Volvo's example, but only by a small margin. The Swede twists out 168 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque in its naturally aspirated state, while the German mill cranks out 150 horsepower, but 170 lb-ft of torque. Without factoring-in vehicle weight and transmissions, I found Volkswagen's five-cylinder to possess more spark than Volvo's. It also sounds slightly raspier when producing the extra punch. Power delivery from Volvo's five is more sedate, but the engine compensates for its lack of gusto with superior operating refinement and less noise. A run from 0 to 100 km/h in the V50 is rated at a leisurely 8.7 seconds with the as-tested naturally aspirated engine. This can be easily remedied by ordering the V50 T5, which affixes a turbocharger and a six-speed manual gearbox to the 2.4-litre powerplant. Output climbs to 218 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque,
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| A flawlessly performing five-speed manual stick traveled from gear to gear with short, definitive, butter-smooth throws. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
all of which is capable of shaving two or so seconds off the acceleration run.The remarkably smooth power generated under the hood of my tester was fed through a flawlessly performing five-speed manual stick, which traveled from gear to gear with short, definitive, butter-smooth throws. Shifting was made even more pleasurable by a light-effort, naturally progressive clutch. Likely due to a compact-sized footwell, the three business pedals seemed to be positioned fairly close together. Initially I found some awkwardness in maneuvering my size 10s without catching a pedal edge. As time passed though, I developed deftness for the pedals and grew to appreciate their tight proximity. If rowing through the cogs isn't your thing, a five-speed autobox featuring a manual mode is available.
