The wheels have also been designed to suit North American standards, but Canada often goes with different wheels so it's probably not smart to go too much farther down that road.Inside has been completely redone to suit North American tastes, meaning different gauges, color and upholsteries, plus much quieter surroundings overall.
It's impossible to guess what Volvo Canada will make standard and what it won't on a car that's a year off, and the company's executives almost certainly don't know for sure, but it's unlikely it will be much different from what's available in the U.S. this year.
Standard on the S/V40 models for the 2000 model year are such things as an electronically-controlled climate control system, remote keyless entry, an immobilizer theft deterrent system, cruise control, a replaceable pollen/dust filter, a digital clock, various cupholders, power windows, mirrors and trunk release, a tool kit, floor mats and a color-keyed carpet.
Volvo Canada expects to sell a little more than 4,000 a year of the S/V40 units, with a little more than a third of them being wagons -- an increase over what the U.S. buys.
It's also more than likely that the car will get a minor facelift for the fall of 2000, meaning that the 2001 model will look even more like the high-priced S80 than the 2000 does, which can't hurt.