The 2008 Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 in Detail

Ford Motor Company’s Volvo Cars Division has just released the redesigned 2008 Volvo S40 and the new Volvo V50 that will roll out in the entry-level luxury car market segment and aims to draw the attention of young auto enthusiasts.

“When the cars were introduced almost four years ago, we emphasised that they gave buyers the properties of the larger Volvo models but in a more compact format. Now we’re taking this approach one step further by increasing the ‘grown-up’ quality perception even more. At the same time we are accentuating the differences between the two models. The new S40 moves closer to the Volvo S80 while the new V50 is more like the new Volvo V70.” said Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

“What is more, the reasons for choosing the S40 are much more emotional than before. Today’s buyers speak enthusiastically of its sporty design and driving pleasure. We’re also increasingly winning the image and prestige match against our toughest competitors. The design team exploited every available cubic centimetre in an intelligent way. The all-new design of the centre console and the door inside panels, for instance, has increased storage capacity and added even greater flexibility to the interior." Arp explained.

“The Volvo S40 and V50 not only account for one-third of our total sales volume in 2007; they also play a vital role in reinforcing the Volvo brand. The new models sharpen their competitiveness in every important area and I am convinced that together with the new C30, they will attract even more new and younger buyers." he added.

Both the S40 and V50 models share the same exterior design cues from the Swedish automaker. The vehicles now features a new grille with a larger Volvo iron mark, new headlamps, lower air intake, bumper with integrated reflectors in the lower corners, optional active Bi-Xenon headlamps, and the new black egg-crate grille design for the sporty Volvo V50. Moreover, the vehicles also feature horizontal lines on the exhaust pipes, part of the vehicle's flowmaster exhaust system.

Steve Harper, designer of the Volvo S40 and V50 commented: “The new, lower and more horizontal appearance radiates smooth power. This impression is reinforced when the car is seen from the side. At the rear, it is the shape of the new tail lamps and the new bumper that further boost the dynamic appearance”.

“Here, we’ve created visual vertical elements in order to further emphasise the new grille. The improved shape and position of the exhaust tailpipes is a good example of how a little extra visual touch can create a highly potent impression." he added.

Inside, the Volvo S40 and V50 models are equipped with luxurious, comfortable, and refined interior with larger and more intelligent centre console, new upholstery and green highlight colour, sliding cover, and flexible armrest, and premium audio system with Dynaudio loudspeaker. Customers can also choose between different interior trims like the new grained leather.

Harper commented about the vehicles' interior. He said: “The criticism of the current models’ limited storage space served as high-octane fuel when the time came to sketch the new interior of the S40 and V50. We weren’t entirely satisfied until we felt we had exploited every single available cubic centimetre in an efficient way.

"We’ve even utilised the small spaces that are usually simply covered over when they’re not housing controls for options or accessories. Now instead, the space has been converted into a handy compartment, for instance for a mobile phone. After all, the phone is not something we should be using while driving, anyway. The green upholstery is entirely in line with the increasing demand for personalised choices by our customers. We started with blue and red upholstery in the new Volvo C30, and now we are introducing green in the new S40 and V50. I’m sure it’s going to be very popular." he further explained.

Volvo Cars is offering a bunch of power plant options for the S40 and V50 models, ranging from petrol, diesel, and flex-fuel powered engine variants. Petrol engines included 1.6-liter 100 hp; 1.80-liter 125 hp; 2.0-liter 145 hp; 2.4-liter 140 hp; and 2.4i 170 hp. Diesel engines include 1.6D 109 hp, 2.0D 136 hp, and D5 180 hp. In addition, the 1.8F flex-fuel engine produces 125 hp.