Launched: all new Volvo XC40
By khulekani / on April 22nd, 2018 / in Car Reviews, featured
Img Siya Mhlongo
By Khulekani Dumisa
With the major success of the Volvo XC90 and the brand feeling like it had the wind behind it sails to take on the German dominance in premium vehicles arena, it was only a matter of time before we saw the newest and smallest member of the Volvo SUV line-up, the all new Volvo XC40. The XC40 launches in South Africa having already secured the 2018 European Car of the Year award.
Although the brand new XC40 takes its design cues from its older siblings, it also has its own features that make it stand out. The side profile and the back design is uniquely XC40. What will set the XC40 from the other Swedes in the stable is that it can be ordered with optional contrasting black or white roof, white mirror caps and wheels, Oxide Red leather and ‘Lava’ carpets.
Inside, the XC40 oozes premium quality that is synonymous with the brand. Quality soft touch materials are the order of the day in the elegant interior. There is however an all too familiar feel to the interior if you are used to Volvo products. It has the latest Volvo design elements, including the revered 9-inch Sensus Connect touch screen and digital instrument cluster.
For now, the XC40 is available in two trims (R-Design and Momentum) and two engines (D4 Diesel and T5 petrol). Volvo says the top-of-the-range Inscription as well as the entry level T3 front-wheel drive version will be available later this year. In terms of performance, the D4 produces 140 kW/400 Nm, the T5 kicks out 185 kW/350 Nm and the T3 makes 115 kW/265 Nm. The 0-100 time is 7,9 seconds; 6.4 seconds and 9.4 seconds respectively. The D4 is the most frugal of the lot and will only consume 5.1l/100 km whereas the T3 and T5 ask for 6.2l/100 km and 7.2l/100 km respectively.
One of the biggest selling points of Volvo is safety and Volvo has kept that promise in the XC40. Stand out safety features include City Safety and Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection. The City Safety feature senses potential collisions, even when it is dark and can activate the brakes automatically should the driver not react in time. The Cyclist and Large Animal Detection feature detects and automatically brakes the vehicle in the event of a pedestrian, cyclist or large animal (such as cattle) stepping/swerving/jumping out in front of the car. The latter will be of particular use in certain provincial roads of South Africa where livestock roams freely.
On the technology front, the XC40 gains Volvo’s next generation of semi-autonomous technology. The Adaptive Cruise Control feature maintains the desired set vehicle speed but utilises radar to monitor the vehicle in front and automatically slows down or speeds up as necessary. Pilot Assist takes things further and independently assists with steering (up to 130 km/h and when lane markings are clearly visible) by continually monitoring the area in front of the vehicle, making the necessary steering, accelerator and brake inputs as required to keep to the desired speed, distance and within the lane markings. Your party trick will surely be the Visual Park Assist 360º Cameras which give the driver a bird’s-eye view of the car via four hidden cameras, digitally stitched together to create a seamless image on the centre screen.
Notwithstanding its exterior appearance which may seem somewhat compact, the XC40 is spacious inside. The front and back occupants have ample space and legroom. The 460 litres of boot space which extends to 1,336 litres when the back seats are folded down is impressive. The XC40 feels secure and comfortable and is not rattled by our harsh roads. The T5 certainly packs a mean punch at take-off but, the D4 is no slouch either. Although the T5 is quicker, choice will essentially boil down to preference and potential savings at the fuel pumps.
The XC40 range is priced from R486,500.