The Last of Volvo's Stodgy Past is Now Distant HistoryA long time coming, Volvo has finally released photos of the all-new
V50 Sportswagon. As Volvo's naming scheme goes, the V designates a wagon and the 50 means it's slightly larger than the S40 sedan, and smaller than the S60.
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| Volvo has finally released photos of the all-new V50 Sportswagon. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada) |
Pull out the measuring tape, walk around the Volvo's new wagon and the dimensions fall right in order with the prescribed size. At 4.51 meters long, the V50's wheelbase is larger than the upcoming sedan by 5 centimeters. It's also longer in length by 46 mm, wider in width and taller in height than the next-generation S40. Despite being smaller on the outside than the car it replaces, impressive packaging has allowed it to remain just as roomy. That has much to do with the extra 5 cm of wheelbase, which should provide the V50 with ample legroom for taller passengers.
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| Despite being smaller on the outside than the car it replaces, impressive packaging has allowed the V50 to remain just as roomy. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada) |
As for styling, it's a typical 'modern' Volvo. While leaning towards the [linka rtid="16160"]S40[/link] in styling details, which mirrors its larger S60 and S80 siblings, the new wagon pulls cues from the larger V70 and even bigger XC90 SUV. It incorporates a gracefully sloping roofline and vertically mounted taillights, however it contrasts the big wagon in the fact that its tailgate is not vertical, but tapered. While all new Volvos are less edgy than the previous era, the new V50 takes things a step further by completely ridding itself from any sharp corners and edges. It includes the short nose and protruding grille of the future S40, the same red-and-white circular tail lamp pattern, as well as its narrowly-arched rear fenders. The V50 is a sleek sportswagon that thoroughly finishes off the Volvo of the past. It's the final car in Volvo's range that's been brought up to date in styling.
Power for the V50 comes in a variety of forms; from tame to thoroughly wild. The standard engine is a low-friction five-cylinder gasoline unit that at 2.4 liters in displacement. This normally-aspirated power unit gives decent output at 168 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque, but serious enthusiasts will want to upgrade to the T5 turbocharged version. The 2.5-L unit features 218-hp and a respectable 236 lb-ft of torque.
