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Volvo Car Corporation has just officially revealed its all-new five-door 2012 Volvo V40 Hatchback in Geneva Motorshow today (6th March). First of all the new model has classic V-shaped bonnet which is further enhanced by bolder expressive lines. In addition, the high-gloss grille is low and wide thus creating a sporty look. The sculptured corners add character and direct the airflow to improve the aerodynamics. Daytime Running Lights are set into the lower corners of the front end, sweeping upward if viewed directly from the front. The V40also features wide shoulder line which stretches back from the headlamp with a sharp line to echo the rising beltline. The highlight continues rearward into a very full powerful section that leads into the tail lamps. The car is finished with a dynamically sculpted rear.

The customer of the new model has the option to further personalize it in terms of exterior accessory styling kit. The kit creates an exclusive, sporty aura and improves aerodynamic efficiency. It includes: deflectors, a twin-coloured rear diffuser, a striping kit and enlarged rectangular, chromed twin tail pipes; diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels with contrasting grey detailing; roof spoiler can be added separately. Light Emitting Diodes (LED) give the car an individual style and a high-technological look. In details, LED is used in the following areas: front position lights; turn indicators in the door mirrors; rear position lights; rear number plate illumination; high positioned brake light; daytime Running Lights (DRL). The all-new 2012 Volvo V40 is available with a fixed panorama glass roof that stretches from the front windscreen to the backrest of the rear seats. What does the panorama roof is to improve the feeling of spaciousness inside the car. In addition, an electrically controlled fabric curtain is located under the roof and it opens from the rear. This means that the passengers can enjoy the light of the sun while the driver and front passenger are still shaded.

The interior of the Volvo is created with strong accent on ergonomics, comfort and an engaging driving experience. For instance, the wide instrument panel, together with the fluidity of the door design, creates a spacious, “large-car” feeling. For further comfort, electrical heating is available in both the front seats and the outer rear seats. The interior is offered in three main colour themes: Charcoal, Charcoal/Blond, or Espresso/Blond. Leather seats are also available in a new Azure Blue accent colour. Another highlight in the interior is the frameless interior rear-view mirror, inspired by modern smartphone design. Below the armrest is a storage compartment suitable for CDs and other small items. Two cup holders and a 12V power outlet are integrated in the console in front of the armrest. Furthermore, the glove compartment includes space for two soft-drinks cans or bottles that are kept cool with cold air from the Electronic Climate Control system. Furthermore, the interior lighting is created with the goal to give a “theatre lighting” feel. This was achieved thank to the LED lamps, which were used to light up strategic areas. The driver can enjoy a red-to-blue setting that adapts the light to the interior temperature – or choose between another seven mood themes.

The V40 can be equipped with an “extra” floor in the load compartment. It makes the floor flat when the rear seat is folded. In addition, the front passenger seat can be folded forward to create even more space.

The new and highly technological Volvo Sensus infotainment system delivers driver-centric approach, which is enhanced by fully graphic instrument cluster that allows the driver to personalize instrument layout and the information provided. The fully graphic instrument cluster is an active TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display that brings the interaction between car and driver into a new dimension.

The V40 has the most advanced audio unit: class D digital 5x130W amplifier, Dolby Digital in combination with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, the latest MultEQ from Audyssey Laboratories and 10 loudspeakers.

Another innovation is the mobile application which allows the driver to stay in touch with the parked car via a smart phone. The mobile application is designed to offer the owner an intuitive, easy-to-use relationship with the car from a distance. It includes a number of features: Car locator – the location of the car is shown on a map; there is also a digital compass that points the driver in the right direction; Remote door lock – the status of all doors and windows is displayed – and the driver can lock and unlock the car with a push on the touch screen; Vehicle dashboard – this feature gives the driver access to a wide range of information: fuel level, remaining range to empty tank, average fuel consumption, average speed, odometer reading and trip meter reading; Car check – the mobile app performs a “health” check of the car; displaying information about lights, brake fluid level, coolant level, oil level and oil pressure; Driving journal – detailed data of each trip during the last 40 days can be downloaded and stored; it is also possible to extract the data as an Excel file – a perfect feature for company car owners; Vehicle information – basic car data such as model, registration number and VIN number are stored and can be displayed; Theft notification – if the car alarm is triggered, the driver is alerted via the mobile app.

The chassis of the V40 has been designed to offer the agile, connected experience that creates driving pleasure. The engine CO2 emissions begin at just 94 g/km to the turbocharged T5 petrol engine with 254 hp (187 kW) and acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. All engine versions have start-stop and braking energy regeneration, no matter whether they are fitted with a manual or automatic gearbox.

The all-new 2012 Volvo V40 has two different chassis setups: the Dynamic chassis which comes as a standard and the Sport chassis, which is lowered 10 mm compared with the Dynamic chassis. The steering column’s thick tubing and stiff insulator increase torsional rigidity. This also contributes to the enhanced feeling of direct contact with the wheels and the road. Optional on the V40 is the Electrical Power Assist Steering (EPAS) which uses an electrical motor to support the steering rack. The Electrical Power Assist Steering enables integration of safety and driver support functions that involve the steering, such as Lane Keeping Aid and Park Assist Pilot. Furthermore, the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system includes several sophisticated features that offer a unique blend of driving pleasure and safety. Advanced Stability Control uses a roll angle sensor that makes it possible to identify any skidding tendency at a very early stage. On the other hand the Engine Drag Control prevents the wheels from locking during engine braking on a slippery surface. Additional innovative feature is the Corner Traction Control that uses torque vectoring so the car corners even more smoothly. The car’s inner driven wheel is braked, causing more power to be transmitted to the outer driven wheel. This allows the driver to corner more tightly while reducing any tendency to understeer.

To go even further into details, the engine range comprises of several diverse engine, The firs one is the five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged T5 engine with power output of 254 hp (187 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. The T5 comes with automatic transmission and acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 6.7 seconds. Fuel consumption is 35.8 mpg (EU Combined). The mid-range offer includes two versions of a 1.6-litre GTDi engine: T4 with 180 horsepower (132 kW) and T3 with 150 horsepower (110 kW). The 180 hp engine offers maximum torque of 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) and the 150 horsepower T3 engine offers 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. Volvo’s engine experts have managed to bring fuel consumption down to 48.7 mpg. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 134 g/km. Furthermore, the T5 version comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the T4 is available in combination with the automatic six-speed Powershift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. The T3 comes with a manual gearbox. What has to be highlighted here is that the five-cylinder 2.0-litre D4 turbodiesel has been optimized for fuel-efficient driving pleasure. This engine delivers 177 hp (130 kW) and has torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) across a wide rpm range. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 8.3 seconds with the automatic gearbox (8.6 sec with manual). Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is 62.8 mpg (119 g/km) with a manual gearbox and 53.3 mpg (139 g/km) with the automatic (EU Combined). In addition there is the 2.0-litre D3 producing 150 hp (110 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Both turbodiesels are available with a six-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual gearbox. The star of the low emissions is the D2 version of the Volvo V40, which comes with CO2 emissions as low as 94 g/km – corresponding to fuel consumption of just 78.8 mpg. The 1.6-litre diesel engine has 115 hp and 285 Nm of torque, including 15 Nm overboost. The D2 engine is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox and start/stop function. The 1.6-litre diesel engine can also be mated to the six-speed Powershift gearbox.

Volvo has added several new high-tech features to the safety and support systems such as Pedestrian Airbag Technology, Lane Keeping Aid with haptic auto steering, an ingenious Park Assist Pilot, automatic Road Sign Information, Active High Beam and a Cross Traffic Alert radar system at the rear. The groundbraking here is the Pedestrian Detection technology, which has full auto brake; and the further developed City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system which now operates at speeds up to 31 mph. In addition to all this, the new 2012 Volvo V40 also features world-class crash safety including a safety cage with effective deformation zones and various grades of high-strength steel. Safety belt pre-tensioners are standard in the front and outer rear seats and the front seats are equipped with whiplash protection (WHIPS) to help prevent neck injuries. Both the driver and front seat passenger seat have dual stage airbags. There are also side airbags integrated in the front seat backrests.

At last, the V40 is available with a Personal Car Communicator remote, which enables keyless drive. In addition to this the remote can also transmit and receive signals, thus providing the driver with locking and alarm information.

Source: Volvo