VOLVO'S aspirations to be a strong contender in the prestige sector have until now been hampered by one thing – the lack of a serious player in the all important premium five-door five-seat hatchback category.
Well now they have one in the shape of the V40 and it is probably the most important new model launched by Volvo in the past two decades as it goes head to head with some of Europe's favourite cars.
The name is slightly confusing as the last time the V40 badge was used it was the estate version of the S40 which this new version replaces along with the V50 and ultimately the C30 which will eventually disappear.
Volvo stakes its claim to a slice of this valuable market early on with the way that the V40 looks. It has
contemporary sculptured body lines with a strong hint of coupé, which is more pronounced due to the slim-line glazed area that gives it a low-roofline appearance – although this does have some implications when it comes to internal visibility which is distinctly restricted.
The good looks continue with lots of character lines in the bonnet and a neat compact wrap-around rear end that has more than a passing resemblance to the C30.
Inside, Volvo's now de rigeur floating central console contains most of the controls while the almost featureless dashboard is finished in good quality textured plastics and brushed aluminium trim.
Everything is clean and tidy but a bit general purpose rather than haute couture.
Dominating the cabin is the busy in-your-face digital instrument display that is very much an acquired taste and I have to say that the controls for functions such as the audio and trip computer are not especially intuitive – you will probably need half a day with the dealer just to get your head around this.
The SE specification grade as tested only has an average equipment level but this does include keyless start and stop, cruise control, climate control, Bluetooth connection and like all V40s Volvo's City Safe system that automatically brakes the car at low speeds if the vehicle ahead slows down and the driver doesn't react.
There is no satellite navigation at this level and you are going to have to pay extra for items such as rear parking assist at £325, a high performance multi-media centre at £400 or the Winter Illumination pack with swivelling headlights, LED running lights, heated seats or the Driver Support package with blind-spot warning, lane departure warning and active cruise control.
Elsewhere in the cabin taller occupants may find the rear seats a little restricted for head and knee room while the boot space lags a little behind the opposition.
A high up and over sill and a restricted width hatch, as the rear end tapers in, leaves a deep but not especially extensive load space and ultimately the 335-litre capacity is down on its premium section norm.
The rear seats split 60/40 but they don't go flat and there is a lip between the boot and the seat space which means it isn't the most practical or capacious at only 1,032 litres.
Among the five engine choices the four cylinder, 1.6-litre, eight valve D2 diesel is going to be the work horse accounting for more than two-thirds of all sales.
When matched to the six-speed manual transmission it has plenty of flexibility and is mainly attractive for its low sub 95 g/km emissions, with the inherent tax advantages, and its fuel efficiency.
In operation it is a quiet and economical unit with automatic stop-start fitted as standard – Volvo claims that up to 78mpg is possible although this needs to be taken with a big pinch of salt.
To get any sort of performance out of this engine – which is the slowest in the line-up by some distance – you have to work it hard which, in my case, resulted in just 43mpg.
It also appears that Volvo has placed the emphasis on ease of use rather than performance when it comes to the steering which is especially light and lacking the best straight ahead definition, although it has one of the best turning circles in the class and only 2.4 turns lock to lock.
Better news is the ride quality – thanks in no small part to being based on the same platform as the Ford Focus – and we all know how that drives,
The firm suspension setting is great for fast cross country journeys and motorway cruising but some may find it a little rigid in town which feeds back road irritations.
The V40 is a car that you really want to like, it has lots of visual appeal with a dash of Scandinavia elegance and isn't a bad driving companion, it perhaps just needs a fraction more functionality to really hit the mark.
It will undoubtedly have a strong attraction for fleet managers and company car drivers with its low tax and running cost advantages and is doesn't look bad in the corporate car park either.
Chris Adamson
