ULTIMATE LUXURY
Volvo enters the SUV market with it’s XC40 model
The representative from Sweden has finally spoken, which means that virtually every automaker on the planet has at least one compact utility vehicle on offer to a seemingly allyou-can eat pot of buyers. The XC40, while late to the small-and-tall wagon party, is a sign that Volvo is plugged in to current trends and that it has devised a vehicle that’s uniquely dif- ferent from the rest of the pack. Volvo’s parent company, Geely of China, plans to spin off a less pricey version of the XC40 for sale globally under the name Lynk & Co. Compared to the next-step-up XC60, the XC40 is more than 25 centimetres shorter, while the distance between the front and rear wheels is 16 centimetres less. The XC40 rides on a brand-new platform that for now remains exclusive to that model. The two vehicles are virtually the same height. The XC40’s stowage capacity is actually greater than that of many midsize models. With 21 centimetres of ground clearance, this Volvo can also do more than just city streets and road construction. From the front, the XC40 bears a strong resemblance to other Volvos. Credit goes to the signature “Thor’s hammer” light bars in the headlamps. The rest of the bodywork charts a decidedly different course. The giant vision-limiting rear roof pillars are somewhat distracting while the L-shaped taillights that frame the liftgate make the XC40 easy to spot from the sides and rear. The interior is the epitome of understated Swedish modern. A large 31-centimetre touchscreen dominates a dashboard that features vertically shaped air vents that are more than a bit unusual. Seating is a Volvo specialty and the XC40’s well-bolstered front chairs provide much comfort, particularly on long journeys. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that generates 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. According to the company’s stopwatch, the XC40 can reach 100 km/h from rest in 6.1 seconds, which isn’t bad for a 1,640-kilogram vehicle. The engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifters. The XC40 doesn’t go in for the latest in dials and pushbuttons for changing gears, but instead sticks to an old-schooltype handle with a meaty grip. With Volvo’s penchant for safety, the XC40 come with active-safety technologies such as cross-traffic backup alert (with braking), and forward emergency braking that can detect pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. Volvo has indicated that for the 2019 model year a plug-in hybrid XC40 will be available. It will use a three-cylinder engine plus a rear-mounted electric motor. So, how did Volvo do at breaking into the entry-luxury small-utility field? Well, the company certainly had enough time to go to school on the competition, which means there shouldn’t be any excuses. And really, the XC40 stands up, other than it has a narrow price range commensurate with having just one engine choice and three trims. Maybe the XC40 doesn’t need the variety and then again it’s also just the beginning.