A subtle mid-cycle facelift
Cologne, Germany - English designer Steve Harper, who was in charge of updating the Volvo S40 and V50, is one exuberant fellow. He wears two watches, including one with a Mickey Mouse logo (!), and he's famous for owning 14 pairs of red shoes. So, one would expect that he would go all out in redesigning Volvo's compacts for their mid-cycle lifting. Well, think again.
The bumpers have been barely refined, while the headlights display a slightly different shape. True, the grille has been thoroughly revised in order to match the company's more expensive models -- the S40 with the S sedans and the V50 with the larger V70/XC70 wagons -- but overall, the visual modifications remain very subtle.
Here's a tip to distinguish the 2008 models from the current ones: take a look at the lower air intake. The S40's now stretches in a full-width single opening, while the V50's is separated into three distinct sections.
More storage
The biggest changes are rather found inside, particularly in terms of storage. Volvo admits that previous S40/V50 buyers complained about the lack of compartments. Well, the lower door panels have been redesigned in order to accommodate even more items. Likewise, the centre console has been revised and now offers a small receptacle for storing your cell phone. Also, the centre armrest is more comfortable, while a sliding cover hides the cupholders when unused.
If Mr. Harper learned only one thing throughout his career, it would be this: "People fall in love with the most ridiculous things." I won't go as far as to say that the new Northern Oak trim that graces the new cars' interior is ridiculous. On the contrary, with their light tone and slick texture (no useless shine), these inserts light up the cabin in a most pleasant way. My guess is that many potential buyers will be attracted by this Scandinavian touch that reminds of IKEA furniture.
Cologne, Germany - English designer Steve Harper, who was in charge of updating the Volvo S40 and V50, is one exuberant fellow. He wears two watches, including one with a Mickey Mouse logo (!), and he's famous for owning 14 pairs of red shoes. So, one would expect that he would go all out in redesigning Volvo's compacts for their mid-cycle lifting. Well, think again.
The bumpers have been barely refined, while the headlights display a slightly different shape. True, the grille has been thoroughly revised in order to match the company's more expensive models -- the S40 with the S sedans and the V50 with the larger V70/XC70 wagons -- but overall, the visual modifications remain very subtle.
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| Visual modifications for 2008 are nothing to fret about. |
Here's a tip to distinguish the 2008 models from the current ones: take a look at the lower air intake. The S40's now stretches in a full-width single opening, while the V50's is separated into three distinct sections.
More storage
The biggest changes are rather found inside, particularly in terms of storage. Volvo admits that previous S40/V50 buyers complained about the lack of compartments. Well, the lower door panels have been redesigned in order to accommodate even more items. Likewise, the centre console has been revised and now offers a small receptacle for storing your cell phone. Also, the centre armrest is more comfortable, while a sliding cover hides the cupholders when unused.
If Mr. Harper learned only one thing throughout his career, it would be this: "People fall in love with the most ridiculous things." I won't go as far as to say that the new Northern Oak trim that graces the new cars' interior is ridiculous. On the contrary, with their light tone and slick texture (no useless shine), these inserts light up the cabin in a most pleasant way. My guess is that many potential buyers will be attracted by this Scandinavian touch that reminds of IKEA furniture.
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| Inside, the various changes will be appreciated by future owners. |