The steering wheel is gorgeous: It is all wood except for leather inserts at the three spokes and it is thick. However beautiful thoug
h, I would have preferred it leather-wrapped for improved grip. The shifter is leather-wrapped and also has some wood incorporated in its top part. The wood inserts are very chic but I think they are better suited to the big S80.
Forward visibility is quite good, although in every other direction it becomes a small matter for concern. Rearward is thwarted by the center adjustable headrest that is only a few inches below the center mounted brake light. The ¾ view is partially blocked, on the driver side especially by the thick "B" pillars.
Technical
There are 2 different engines available in the S40 and V50: the first is a 2.4L inline 5 cylinder that develops 168 hp @ 6 000 rpm and 170 lb/ft of torque @ 4 400 rpm. The second is a turbocharged 2.5L inline 5 cylinder, the one that I have tested, which puts out 218 hp @ 5 000 rpm and 236 lb/ft of torque @ between 1 500 and 4 800 rpm. Both engines can be mated to an op
tional 5-speed automatic transmission. The base engine gets a standard 5-speed manual and the turbocharged lump makes due with a 6-speed manual transmission. This 6-speed is lifted directly out of the S60R and V70R. In my mind, this fact opens up many possibilities for tuners out there because this transmission can already easily handle the 295 lbs of torque from the R. Base 2.4i are delivered in front-wheel-drive only and the T5s can be had in either FWD or all-wheel-drive versions.
On the road
The AWD setup is seamless and never lets off grip wise. At the limit, understeer settles in and the Volvo remains very controllable. The dynamic stability and traction control system (DSTC) is very forgiving when the driver wants to have a little too much fun. It kicks in just before the situation might get hairy. Basically, it will let you have some playtime before the electronic big-brother takes over. It took a lot to get a little front wheel spin out of the electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. This is a sure sign that the scheme works perfectly to avoid delays between spinning and moving when the surface is slippery.
The ride is quite composed and pleasingly compliant. In my experience, other Volvos have usually had a slightly harsher rather than plush drive. Overall, the S40's road manners are above reprimand. Braking is achieved via 4 wheel discs and they perform quite well. Pedal travel is kept to a minimum and response is rapid. The electro-hydraulic steering, one of the best that I have yet driven is very precise and nicely weighted.
I had the opportunity to briefly drive and compare an S40 2.4i and a T5 FWD earlier this year. I must mention that both engines produce about the same amount of torque at lower rpm so only in the mid-range will the 2.4i be in fact handicapped. The turbocharged 5 cylinder really charges forward, with next to no lag, as the engine speed rises. Acceleration is surprising, mind you fuel consumption at just around 14 litres per 100 km, is a little on the high side. The only hesitation came from the drive-by-wire that occasionally wavered when the go-pedal was depressed.
h, I would have preferred it leather-wrapped for improved grip. The shifter is leather-wrapped and also has some wood incorporated in its top part. The wood inserts are very chic but I think they are better suited to the big S80.Forward visibility is quite good, although in every other direction it becomes a small matter for concern. Rearward is thwarted by the center adjustable headrest that is only a few inches below the center mounted brake light. The ¾ view is partially blocked, on the driver side especially by the thick "B" pillars.
Technical
There are 2 different engines available in the S40 and V50: the first is a 2.4L inline 5 cylinder that develops 168 hp @ 6 000 rpm and 170 lb/ft of torque @ 4 400 rpm. The second is a turbocharged 2.5L inline 5 cylinder, the one that I have tested, which puts out 218 hp @ 5 000 rpm and 236 lb/ft of torque @ between 1 500 and 4 800 rpm. Both engines can be mated to an op
tional 5-speed automatic transmission. The base engine gets a standard 5-speed manual and the turbocharged lump makes due with a 6-speed manual transmission. This 6-speed is lifted directly out of the S60R and V70R. In my mind, this fact opens up many possibilities for tuners out there because this transmission can already easily handle the 295 lbs of torque from the R. Base 2.4i are delivered in front-wheel-drive only and the T5s can be had in either FWD or all-wheel-drive versions. On the road
The AWD setup is seamless and never lets off grip wise. At the limit, understeer settles in and the Volvo remains very controllable. The dynamic stability and traction control system (DSTC) is very forgiving when the driver wants to have a little too much fun. It kicks in just before the situation might get hairy. Basically, it will let you have some playtime before the electronic big-brother takes over. It took a lot to get a little front wheel spin out of the electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. This is a sure sign that the scheme works perfectly to avoid delays between spinning and moving when the surface is slippery.
The ride is quite composed and pleasingly compliant. In my experience, other Volvos have usually had a slightly harsher rather than plush drive. Overall, the S40's road manners are above reprimand. Braking is achieved via 4 wheel discs and they perform quite well. Pedal travel is kept to a minimum and response is rapid. The electro-hydraulic steering, one of the best that I have yet driven is very precise and nicely weighted.
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