Test: Volvo V40 D4 AWD
Test Drive

Test: Volvo V40 D4 AWD

A beginner is enough or completely different so that he simply cannot be overlooked on the road. And if I flatter him a little, then he shouldn't flatter either. An experienced eye would probably recognize this even if it weren't wearing the logo on the front grille, as there is also something Scandinavian and Volvo about the new V40. Yet the design is so different that we cannot fit it into Volvo's already familiar design forms.

With its superb design dynamics and freshness, this Volvo convinces even the most discerning customer, and while it's hard to talk about the beauty of a car, I can easily put it first. Surprise with a long nose, but in addition to its shape, it is designed to be convenient for pedestrians in the event of an undesirable event and even offer them an airbag that is stored under the hood right under the hood. windshield.

The sideline is perhaps the freshest in design. Nicely dynamic, nothing scarce Scandinavian. Unfortunately, the back door suffers at her expense. Well, in fact, passengers who want to sit on the back bench, since the door is very short, moved back quite a bit, and besides, it also does not open very wide. In general, it takes a lot of skill to get in and even more when getting out of the car. But since car buyers usually think about their own comfort first, they won't be overwhelmed by the rear seat.

They certainly won't have to worry about the trunk, which is not the largest in its class, but it is easily accessible and also offers an interesting solution with compartments at the bottom of the trunk that effectively prevent small items of luggage from entering. and shopping bags from the move. The tailgate is not too heavy and there are no problems opening or closing.

The interior is less exciting. It immediately becomes clear that we are driving a Volvo, and the center console is already known. However, this should not be considered bad, as the driver's ergonomics are good, and the switches or buttons are where the driver expects and needs them. The steering wheel is not a surplus of the auto industry, but it fits perfectly in the palm of your hand, and the switches on it are logical and understandable enough. Together with good front seats (and their adjustability), the correct driving position is guaranteed.

The new Volvo V40 also offers some chocolates. The dashboard warnings are also displayed in Slovenian, and the driver can choose between three different dashboard backgrounds, the center of which is fully digital, that is, without the classic instruments. Digitization is done well, the counter is displayed as a classic one, so everything that happens in front of the driver is transparent and understandable.

Of course, some pieces of equipment are closely related to the equipment, but since it turned out to be the best in the Volvo (Summum) test, it is worth praising the proximity key, which, in addition to unlocking and locking the car, also allowed contactless engine start. On cold winter days, the driver can use the electric heated windscreen, which can also be combined with a separate windscreen air supply.

There are also plenty of storage spaces and drawers, and since we usually put mobile phones in them, I can also compliment the Bluetooth hands-free system in one go. It is easy to establish a connection between the system and the mobile phone, and then the system will work well as well. A long-awaited novelty from Volvo is also a road sign reading system.

Simply reading the signs is fast and sequential, and a slightly complicated situation arises when, for example, there is no sign prohibiting a previously ordered sign. For example, the Volvo V40 continues to display the speed limit on the motorway from the road we were driving, and it is only at the next sign indicating the motorway or road designated for cars that it changes the speed limit or shows which road we are driving. on. Therefore, we should not take the system for granted, even in the event of a shootout with the police, we cannot apologize for that. However, it is definitely a welcome novelty that can perform much better in countries with better traffic signals.

The Volvo V40 tested was powered by the most powerful turbo diesel engine Volvo currently offers for the V40. The D4 two-liter five-cylinder engine offers 130 kW or 177 "horsepower". At the same time, we should not ignore the torque of 400 Nm, which together provide, on the one hand, a comfortable, and on the other hand, a slightly faster and even sportier ride without any problems.

With a reasonably precise steering mechanism, a sleek chassis and a responsive six-speed automatic transmission, the V40 is not afraid of twisty roads, let alone highways. However, a little more attention is required when starting, as the power and torque can be used by the anti-skid system too (quickly). Especially if the substrate has poor adhesion or is damp. This V40 can also be economical.

One hundred kilometers can be easily driven on just 5,5 liters of diesel, and we don't have to create a long line of angry drivers behind us. The abundance of torque does not require the engine to run at high revs, while the ride is comfortable and effortless.

Of course, a few words should be said about safety. The Volvo V40 already offers standard City Safety, which now slows down or comes to a complete stop even from 50 km / h or less when an obstacle is detected in front of the car. At the same time, the V40 is also equipped with the aforementioned pedestrian airbag, which is stored under the hood.

All in all, the new V40 is a welcome addition to the Volvo range. Unfortunately, sometimes completely inappropriate, the novelty is not the most affordable, especially since it has a powerful turbodiesel and a rich set of equipment under the hood. But if we adapt it for ourselves, we choose only the equipment that we really need, and then the price will not be so high. The Volvo V40 has received many awards in gratitude, including the notorious safety, which in its case is not only notorious but real.

Test car accessories

  • Panoramic Shelter (1.208 euros)
  • Heated seat and windshield (509 €)
  • Driver's seat, electrically adjustable (407 €)
  • Introductory package (572 €)
  • Security package (852 €)
  • Driver Support Package PRO (2.430 €)
  • Professional package 1 (2.022 €)
  • Metallic paint (827 €)

Text: Sebastian Plevnyak

Volvo V40 D4 all wheel drive

Basic data

Sales: Volvo Car Austria
Base model price: 34.162 €
Test model cost: 43.727 €
Power:130kW (177


KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 8,6 with
Maximum speed: 215 km / h
Mixed flow ECE: 6,7l / 100km
Guarantee: 2-year general warranty, 3-year mobile warranty, 2-year varnish warranty, 12-year rust warranty.
Systematic review 20.000 km

Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)

Regular services, works, materials: 1.788 €
Fuel: 9.648 €
Tires (1) 1.566 €
Loss of value (within 5 years): 18.624 €
Compulsory insurance: 3.280 €
CASCO INSURANCE (+ B, K), AO, AO +7.970


(
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Buy up € 42.876 0,43 (km cost: XNUMX


€)

Technical information

engine: 5-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - front mounted transversely - bore and stroke 81 × 77 mm - displacement 1.984 cm³ - compression ratio 16,5: 1 - maximum power 130 kW (177 hp) at 3.500 rpm – average piston speed at maximum power 9,0 m/s – specific power 65,5 kW/l (89,1 hp/l) – maximum torque 400 Nm at 1.750-2.750 rpm – 2 overhead camshafts (toothed belt) – 4 valves per cylinder – common rail fuel injection – exhaust turbocharger – aftercooler
Energy transfer: engine-driven front wheels - 6-speed automatic transmission - gear ratio I. 4,148; II. 2,370; III. 1,556; IV. 1,155; V. 0,859; VI. 0,686 - Differential 3,080 - Wheels 7 J × 17 - Tires 205/50 R 17, rolling circumference 1,92 m
Capacity: top speed 215 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration 8,3 s - fuel consumption (combined) 5,2 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 136 g/km
Transportation and suspension: limousine - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single suspension, spring legs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer - rear multi-link axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, ABS, parking mechanical brake on the rear wheels (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 2,9 turns between extreme points
Mass: empty vehicle 1.498 kg - permissible total weight 2.040 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake: 1.500 kg, without brake: 750 kg - permissible roof load: 75 kg
External dimensions: vehicle width 1.800 mm - front track 1.559 mm - rear track 1.549 mm - ground clearance 10,8 m
Inner dimensions: width front 1.460 mm, rear 1.460 mm - front seat length 500 mm, rear seat 480 mm - steering wheel diameter 370 mm - fuel tank 60 l
Box: 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 L): 5 seats: 1 Airplane suitcase (36 L), 1 suitcase (68,5 L), 1 backpack (20 L)
Standard equipment: Driver and front passenger airbags - Side airbags - Curtain airbags - Driver's knee airbag - Pedestrian airbag - ISOFIX mounts - ABS - ESP - Power steering - Air conditioning - Power windows front and rear - Electrically adjustable and heated rear-view mirrors - Radio with CD player and MP3 player - multifunction steering wheel - central locking with remote control - height and depth adjustable steering wheel - height adjustable driver's seat - split rear seat - trip computer

Our measurements

T = 16 ° C / p = 1.122 mbar / rel. vl. = 52% / Tires: Pirelli Cintrato 205/50 / R 17 W / Odometer status: 3.680 km


Acceleration 0-100km:8,6s
402m from the city: 16,3 years (


141 km / h)
Maximum speed: 215km / h


(WE.)
Minimum consumption: 5,6l / 100km
Maximum consumption: 8,8l / 100km
test consumption: 6,7 l / 100km
Braking distance at 130 km / h: 67,5m
Braking distance at 100 km / h: 40,1m
AM table: 40m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear59dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear58dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear57dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 6rd gear56dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear62dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear61dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear59dB
Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear58dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear64dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear63dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear62dB
Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear61dB
Idling noise: 39dB

Overall rating (353/420)

  • The new look of the Volvo V40 is so different that people will notice at first glance that it is a completely new car. If we add innovations that are not visible at first glance, it becomes clear that this is a technologically very advanced vehicle that provides passengers with an above average feeling of safety, and thanks to the improved City Safety system and an external airbag, pedestrians can also feel safe in front of it.

  • Exterior (14/15)

    The Volvo V40 certainly impresses not only fans of the Swedish brand, but even outsiders love to look after it.

  • Interior (97/140)

    Passengers in the front seats feel great, and in the back, with extremely small openings and insufficiently opening doors, it is difficult to get onto the (too) cramped rear bench.

  • Engine, transmission (57


    / 40)

    It's hard to blame the engine (except for volume), but you have to gently press the accelerator pedal when starting up - a front-wheel drive pair simply can't work miracles.

  • Driving performance (62


    / 95)

    Perfectly maneuverable, precise and completely unpretentious thanks to a good automatic transmission.

  • Performance (34/35)

    The two-liter turbodiesel also lacks power. If we add another 400 Nm of torque, the final calculation is more than positive.

  • Security (43/45)

    When it comes to car safety, many people choose Volvo. Nor does the new V40 disappoint, thanks to its pedestrian airbag, even those without one will be grateful.

  • Economy (46/50)

    This Scandinavian car is not among the most expensive, but not the cheapest either. This will convince Volvo fans first and foremost.

We praise and reproach

form

engine

driving performance and performance

Transmission

system City Safety

pedestrian airbag

well-being in the salon

compartment in the trunk

end products

car price

accessories price

space on the back of the bench and difficult access to it

Add a comment