2011 Volvo S40

The current generation of the Volvo S40 has taken a visual step closer to the Volvo S80 - giving customers large-car properties in a compact format and with clearly sporty overtones.

EXTERIOR

Broad, low stance

The Volvo S40 has a compact body with rounded lines and a clean-cut tail section. The car's appearance exudes modern design and speed. The short bonnet and pronounced cab-forward stance help create a spacious cabin with generous interior space. The broad shoulders and convex side panels radiate power and emphasise the car's compact dimensions.

The colour-coordinated soft nose creates a broad, low stance thanks to its grille with the enlarged Volvo iron mark, headlamps and a lower air intake that sweeps across the entire front.

The low, horizontal impression is reinforced when the car is seen from the side. At the rear, it is the shape of the tail lamps and the bumper that further boost the dynamic appearance.

Exterior colours

The following exterior colours are available for the Volvo S40:

• Flamenco Red Metallic (new) 702

• Cosmic White Metallic (new) 481

• Orange Flame Metallic (new) 701

• Black Stone Solid 019

• Passion Red Solid 612

• Ice White Solid 614

• Silver Metallic 426

• Black Sapphire Metallic 452

• Titanium Grey Metallic 455

• Barents Blue Metallic 466

• Electric Silver Metallic 477

• Chameleon Blue Metallic 490

INTERIOR

Flexible interior with iconic centre stack

Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the Volvo S40 offers a spacious and flexible interior. The interior is inspired by Scandinavian product design with the emphasis on uncluttered surfaces, honest materials and functionality. The Volvo S40 was the first model featuring Volvo's ultra-slim, free-floating centre console with an illuminated storage compartment at the rear.

The iconic centre stack is available in several decor versions such as with Nordic Light Oak real wood inlay, and the theme flows smoothly with similar elegant soft curves all the way to the rear seat. The storage space between the seats has also been designed with the help of Scandinavian design tradition's most renowned hallmark - smart functionality.

The sliding cover over the larger storage compartments, in which there are also two holders that provide secure support for large and small cups, is complemented by a flexible armrest for the driver.

New contrasting leather combination

The upholstery range has been expanded over the years both at base level and for the more exclusive options, for instance with a new, finer-grained leather.

The range now includes a new contrasting leather option with black seat sides, white backrest and orange stitching.

Audio and information

The Volvo S40 can be equipped with Bluetooth® technology that enables wireless communication. By connecting Volvo's Bluetooth device to the car's audio system and a Bluetooth-compatible cellular telephone, easy and practical hands-free phoning is made possible.

Cars with Volvo On Call now have the option of activating the cabin heater remotely via SMS text messaging.

The High Performance and Premium Sound systems have a USB port, making it easy to attach an iPod® or other MP3 player or even a digital camera to the audio system.

CHASSIS

Well-balanced and controlled driving

The chassis, with spring struts at the front and Multilink axle at the rear, is set up for controlled, reassuring driving manners and alert steering response. The Multilink rear axle is an independent rear suspension system featuring a number of links and it is designed to offer a good combination of controlled wheel movements and a high level of ride comfort. A long wheelbase and wide track together with a very rigid body contribute to the predictable, controlled driving manners.

DSTC standard

Volvo's advanced DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) stability-enhancing system is fitted as standard. DSTC intervenes and helps stabilise the car if it registers any tendency to skid.

DRIVELINE

Transverse engines

The engines in the Volvo S40 are transversely installed in-line units. Together with large displacement, the five-cylinder configuration provides high torque across a broad rev band and thus also swift acceleration and excellent driveability within a wide speed range. Four-cylinder engines are also available.

T5 with 230 hp

The Volvo S40 T5 is the top model, featuring a turbocharger and five-speed automatic transmission. It produces 230 hp and 320 Nm of torque.

There are also other petrol engine versions available, as well as a 2.0-litre bio-ethanol Flexifuel variant on certain markets from late 2010.

New 2-litre diesel

The new five-cylinder 2-litre turbodiesel introduced in the all-new Volvo S60 is now available throughout Volvo Cars' model range. The new five-cylinder D3 is in principle the same engine as the well-established 2.4-litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption.

The engine has been optimised for low fuel consumption and the injection system has a different type of piezoelectric fuel injector compared with the D5 engine. These injectors minimise consumption with exceptionally rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure. This promotes extremely efficient combustion.

In the Volvo S40 the new 2-litre turbodiesel is available in two variants:

D4 with 177 hp and 400 Nm of torque.

D3 with 150 hp and 350 Nm of torque.

Both the new D3 and D4 meet the Euro 5 emission standards.

All the variants of the new two-litre turbodiesel can be specified with a six-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual gearbox.

D2 with 114 g CO2 emissions

The S40 is in addition available with the 1.6-litre D2 diesel engine, which also complies with the Euro 5 standards. Fuel consumption is 4.3l/100 km (EU Combined), which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 114 g/km. The engine produces 115 hp and 270 Nm of torque and now comes with a six-speed manual gearbox.

DRIVe with 104 g CO2 emissions

The DRIVe version of the 1.6-litre diesel has a Start/Stop function, lowering fuel consumption to 3.9 l/100km and CO2 emissions levels to 104g/km. The engine delivers 109 hp.

The Start/Stop function shuts off the engine when the car is standing still and the driver releases the clutch and puts the gear lever into neutral. As soon as the driver presses the clutch again the engine restarts. The Start/Stop function reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 4-5% (in mixed driving conditions). In urban traffic, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 8%.

SAFETY AND SUPPORT

IDIS promotes safer driving

Volvo Cars has developed various information systems and features designed to help the driver while on the move. One such system is IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System), which for instance delays incoming phone calls in complex traffic situations that require the driver's undivided attention.

Some other preventive safety features that will support the driver in different ways are; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Distance Alert, helping the driver to keep a safe distance from vehicles in fron at speeds over 30 km/h. Collision Warning with Auto Brake (CWAB), Driver Alert Control (DAC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Adaptive brake light, Dual Xenon lights as well as Active Bending lights (ABL) and water-repellent front side windows.

Systematic safety approach

Protective safety in the Volvo S40 is structured around a network consisting of exterior and interior safety functions that interact with one another to reduce the risk of occupant injury in a collision.

The body of the Volvo S40 features immense torsional rigidity and the car has a sturdy chassis, a combination that results in consistent, predictable behaviour on the road.

Incoming collision forces are distributed so the passenger compartment remains as intact and undamaged as possible. The body is therefore built in the form of a metal cage made from different grades of steel, where all the components interact with one another to ensure controlled deformation.

The interior safety features aim to keep the passengers securely in place and also to reduce the risk of serious injury. In order to provide the most effective protection possible, Volvo Cars has developed a number of in-house systems and features such as WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and IC (Inflatable Curtain).

All are fitted as standard in the Volvo S40. What is more, all five seats are equipped with three-point inertia-reel seat belts, belt pre-tensioners and head restraints.

by Volvo

Packing a lot into a compact sedan, the Volvo S40 features numerous safety features, mostly standard, and luxurious detail into its compact package. Enjoying several popular years in Europe the US sales began in 2000 following Ford's acquisition of Volvo. For 2004 the Volvo S40 was updated once again with the addition of a more generous interior along with enhanced safety features.

Entry-level luxury vehicles/ compact executive cars, the Volvo S40, V40 and V50 are produced by Volvo cars. The first generation was launched in 1995, while the second followed in 2004. The second generation has been listed by Forbes as one of the best luxury vehicles for young affluent drivers. According to J.D. Power and Associates it is also the most popular car among women in the luxury segment in the US market.

The S40 saloon, (sedan) and V50 estate (station wagon) were introduced during the summer of 1998. Built in the Netherlands, the cars were produced at the NedCar factory which was a pre-Ford joint venture between Volvo and Mitsubishi Motors. Though the Japanese version did not sell as well as in Europe, the S40 was based on a common platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma.

For 2000 the 40 series was updated and featured a variety of technical improvements simultaneously introduced and those included improved engine management, additional safety features, larger brake disc, direct fuel injection, new front suspension and steering, updated rear suspension, larger tires and a slight widening of the track width.

The only engine available in North America was the 1.9-liter. Equipped with four-cylinder engines, the 40 series came with a 1.9 L diesel or 1.6, 1.8, or 2.0-liter fuel injected gasoline engines with low and high pressure turbo variants at the top of the motor range. Trim levels in the UK were base, SE and CD. The first vehicle to earn four stars in Euro-NCAP was the Volvo S40.

Debuting during the middle of the 2004 model year, the second generation S40 featured a new design that was based on the Volvo P1 platform built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. The V40 was replaced by the V50 estate in this same year.

For 2005 the Volvo S40 was nominated for the World Car of the Year award and also won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Sport Compact Award. For the same year the S40 was also elected as the South African Car of the Year by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.

Wile the majority of its components along with its chassis were developed by Volvo, very similar mechanical components can be found on the European Ford Focus and the Mazda3. The latest generation of Volvo's 5 cylinder engines, a 2.5L 5-cylinder had been continually developed by Volvo since the debut of the engines in the 850 in 1993. The 2.4, 2.4i and the top of the line S40 T5 AWD continues to be made by Volvo. The AWD system is bought from Haldex of Sweden while the transmission is developed through GETRAG of Germany.

One of several variants of the S40, the S40 T5 features a 2.5 L five-cylinder fuel injection with a light-pressure turbocharger. A DOHC design, the valvetrain has four valves per cylinder. Following in the tradition of the first generation, the engine is transversely mounted at the front of the vehicle and drives the front wheels.

For the 2008 model year the Volvo S40 was updated and now featured a sporty new look along with updated premium feel. Newly updated audio systems were showcased, along with rapidly growing storage space in the new S40. New safety features that included Emergency Brake Lights which flash rapidly during hard braking to alert traffic behind the vehicle was now added. Optional Active Bi-Xenon headlights which point the light beam in the direction of the road as it curves, was also added.

Now achieving an output of 227 hp, the T5 engine received a performance increase of 9 hp. Halfway through the 2007 the D5 engine became available with a manual gearbox now offering 400 Nm of torque instead of the automatic transmission's 350 Nm.

While the current S40 is based on the C30, the new S40 will be based on the new C2 platform.

by Jessican Donaldson

Volvo S40 and V50 - now also with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km