The Volvo V40 D3 Excel Auto

We all know that Volvo make safe cars. But not many are aware of how much more than safety this brand has mastered. As part of Volvo’s new brand positioning, appealing to a younger and edgy audience, Volvo partnered with the Twilight film series. The lead character, Edward Cullum, sported a new Volvo in each new instalment. Adored by youths, the series attracted tons of teens. Why would Volvo pay for product placement in a youth focused film series? For good reason! The brand has shrugged off its ‘safe image’, appealing to the youth and young families who want a car that stands for something much more than just the obvious. Don’t misunderstand me, Volvo has not ditched the safety tag in favour of being trendy, but rather is now creating vehicles that are interesting and dare I say, striking!

In late 2012 Volvo invited me to test the Volvo V40, which was launched to replace the S40 saloon and V50 station wagon. Later this year the quirky C30 will also bid us farewell, so the new V40 will be bridging both categories. A social media campaign was created to stimulate a word of mouth marketing frenzy. Media, celebrities and big mouths on twitter were give cars to review. We were asked to tweet about the Volvo and our experience with the hash tag #V40testdrive. The test unit I reviewed was the D3 model. D denoting the diesel unit and the 3 versus the 2 being the most powerful diesel unit available, until the R unit is released later this year. As far as performance goes the D3 is gusty, offering superb power deliver from its front wheels. The engine is an audibly delightful 2 litre, five-cylinder unit, fitted with a turbo. For the petrol heads, the unit pushes out 110 kW and muscular 350 N.m of torque. In other words, there is plenty of power for the cars mass and size.

Design is a subjective topic, the Mona Lisa is world famous but opinions are controversial regarding her beauty. With my analogy out the way, it must be noted that the V40 has no resemblance to the boxy family genes from which it comes. The lines flow, they are architecturally Swedish, even sexy in my opinion. The V40 is interesting to look at and full of design details. I predict that the car will age well in its six or seven year lifespan, but this is where Miss Mona will probably outlive the Volvo in the longevity department. You know things have changed when the V40 makes more of a statement then some of its competitors like the new Audi A3 or the Golf 7, and I think it does, now who’s playing safe?

When you open the door you note the time spend creating the interior space. It is unique, well made and very comfortable. The materials used are of the finest quality: leather, plastics and velour carpeting. The seats are incredibly comfortable and cossetting yet undeniably luxurious. Long journeys will be a treat in these bum huggers. The centre console features the now Volvoesque floating radio and air con panel. It works and looks architecturally iconic. Where is could be improved is in the reduction of the switchgear. It ages the panel, looking like a large TV remote. The sound system is good quality, but the vibration in the door panels felt when drum and bass notes are higher than normal letting the cabin’s high quality feel down. A feature that is an exciting part of the design panel is the ability to change the mood of the driver instrument panel from sport to eco or elegant modes. Each mood has unique colouring and instrument details, e.g. in sport, the dials are red and power output being part of the focus; in eco mode the colouring is green, with the emphasis on saving fuel. It’s a nice feature.

The driving experience is solid, quiet, powerful and enjoyable. You want to drive the car for longer, as it is well balanced and grip to the road is reassuring without compromising comfort but the overall driving feel is reassured. The D3 accelerates with ease, blasting you back in your chair with ample amounts of torque. After chatting to a motoring colleague who drove the D2 version, he commented on how he felt that the power and performance offered in the less powerful1.6 litre turbo four cylinder units is all one really needs in city and highway driving. Though I love power, I would probably agree with his comment. But considering that the D3 geartronic Excel unit (R339 800.00) is only R24 600.00 more than the D2 Elite (R315 200), which is not automatic and has less standard equipment, I would stick with the D3 as the pick of the bunch. If you prefer a petrol unit there are 1.6 litre, four cylinder turbo units, which have a range of power outputs ranging from 110 kW to 187 kW.

The V40 is a premium hatch and has the Audi A3, the BMW 1 series and the forthcoming Mercedes Benz A Class as competitions. Each are great cars in their own right with their own pros and cons. The V40 is for those who dare to be unique and less likely to follow the herd.