Volvo XC40
Volvo’s smallest SUV but it sure is loaded
The smallest of the trio of Volvo SUVs was unveiled in Milan last year and we were very impressed by what Volvo had done with the first of them. Developed on its new compact modular architecture, the new line of XC vehicles impressed both in terms of style and design as well as engineering. Finally we have news from Volvo that the XC40 will be launched in India as a CBU next month and we were one of the first to drive it in India.
This of course is Volvo’s answer to the BMW X1, the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA and, from the first look at the figures, it
THE NEW LINE OF XC VEHICLES IMPRESSED BOTH IN TERMS OF STYLE AND DESIGN AS WELL AS ENGINEERING
impresses. Not only does it have the largest wheelbase of the lot, it is the widest and has the highest ground clearance as well along with the largest boot space. Hence, it seems that Volvo engineers have learnt from the shortcomings of the competition and given the XC40 a proper SUV shape, young and refreshing yet adhereing to the typical Volvo styling traits like the front grille and logo, the Thor’s Hammer DRLs and the tail lamp assembly, all of which hark to this being a Volvo. On the other hand, while the XC60 looks much like a baby XC90, the XC40 has no such sibling connections and is a stand alone modern car meant to appeal to the younger customers. In fact, the design seems to appeal to all universally.
The car is being launched in India in the R-design trim with the D4 diesel engine mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and an all wheel drive system from Borg-Warner where 90 per cent of the torque can be diverted to either of the axles. The D4 engine taken from the range of E-drive engines offers both efficiency as well performance and superb driveability with 0-100kmph time of less than 8 seconds and a top speed of over 200kmph.
The cabin of the XC40 is special just like all the other new gen Volvos. In fact, a lot of things seem to be borrowed from the larger siblings, the XC90 the XC60, including the Sensus with its 9-inch touchscreen and infotainment system which again has been placed vertically and has most of the features from the bigger cars, hiding behind it a Harman Kardon 13-speaker system with Air Woofer technology. In fact, the Air
XC40 IS A YOUNG AND REFRESHING DESIGN YET IT ADHERES TO TYPICAL VOLVO STYLING TRAITS
Woofer has been placed under the dashboard and the speakers are no longer at the bottom of the doors so as to liberate storage space and give the car larger door pockets.There are lots of storage spaces making the XC40 very practical and some additional features include wireless charging as well as a big panoramic sunroof.
The proof of the pudding is in its eating and we spent an entire day driving the car in Hyderabad, visiting various landmarks and then going for a spin around Hyderabad on the superb ORR – a 160km loop around the city. First and foremost, despite the high seating and the SUV feel it imparts, there is no body roll that one would expect from such a vehicle. This could be due to the R-Sport tuned suspension but at the same time ride quality is good and on Hyderbad roads where there is construction happening every few hundred metres, the 18-inch wheels helped negate
the bad roads. The performance while not electrfying, is superb and would put any of the competition to shame and the car handles well, for its height, has good directional stability and inspires confidence at high speeds. While pottering around the city, it is just the right size, highly manouverable and with good visibility, is easy to drive in the city. What, however, sets the XC40 completely apart from the competition is that it’s loaded with most of the safety and assistance systems found on the larger premium cars. Whether it is the 360degree surround view camera system, that also helps with park assist, the car is equipped with front radar and camera system that gives it all the city safety systems as well as pilot assist, and collision avoidance. That means that the car can in effect steer itself! That’s a giant leap forward for SUVs of the premium entry-level class.
VERDICT
Not only is the XC40 stunning in the way it looks, it also carries forward the special feel that is imparted by all the new gen Volvo cars on the inside. It is good to drive, has all the Volvo assistance and safety features one could ask for and is a very practical car to be in – ideal for its life in a city. But make no mistake, it has all the SUV credential that can make it perform off the tarmac if there is ever any need. Finally we have a true entry-level SUV that belongs to the premium category.