Heading to Yamanashi in the Latest V40 Cross Country

Leaving the winding roads from Hachioji behind, we cut through the verdant mountains and reach Koshu. Below us, the Kofu Basin unfolds. From here, the road opens into a long, clear stretch. It's understandable to feel the urge to press the accelerator after leaving the mountains, but caution is advised as there are many unmarked patrol cars.

However, during our drive, even at the central expressway's speed limit of 80 km/h, engine noise heard through the bulkhead and road noise transmitted from the floor were minimal, maintaining a comfortable cabin.

The excellent straight-line stability, which requires only a light touch of the steering wheel, significantly reduces the fatigue and stress of long journeys. While often overlooked, a car's ability to drive straight is crucial, and surprisingly, many cars don't perform this basic function well.

Cars that wander with the slightest disturbance, requiring constant steering corrections to maintain a straight path, cannot be called good cars. The problem is that drivers often unconsciously make these subtle corrections, making it difficult to discern the issue.

Beyond ride comfort, the chassis's ability to maintain a straight line with just a light touch on the steering wheel, combined with the 180 kW (245 ps) / 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) 2.0-liter turbo engine that instantly downshifts in response to accelerator input during overtakes, offers a superb combination with the new 8-speed automatic transmission, leaving a truly user-friendly impression.

However, after leaving the Shuto Expressway and entering the Chuo Expressway on this drive, I didn't use the kick-down function with my right foot even once. Or rather, I should say I didn't use it myself.

Performance Boost with Drive-E Engine

This is because, from around Mitaka on the Chuo Expressway, we were using the all-speed adaptive cruise control (ACC) for high-speed driving. Consequently, my right foot was free. On the highway, I wasn't touching the accelerator or brakes. The all-speed ACC can be controlled solely by switches on the steering wheel, allowing safe integration into traffic flow with minimal eye movement.

Once set to the speed limit, the car handles the rest, providing a comfortable high-speed cruise. The driver only needs to be aware of the vehicles in front and behind, without needing to operate the accelerator or brakes. The car automatically adjusts speed and maintains distance within the set limits.

It brakes smoothly for sudden cut-ins and accelerates powerfully when the car ahead changes lanes and the path ahead clears, increasing speed to the set limit. Such a practical and reliable feature is indispensable for long drives.

Indeed, the car we brought along for this long drive is the "V40 Cross Country T5 AWD," equipped with Volvo's new generation powertrain, the "Drive-E" 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection turbo "T5" unit. This engine is the most powerful in the evolved V40 series, exclusively featured in the "V40 Cross Country T5 AWD" and the "V40 T5 R-DESIGN," which boasts a dedicated sports suspension and sporty exterior.

It's not just about high power. While power and torque have increased by 23 kW (32 ps) and 50 Nm (5.1 kgm) respectively compared to the previous model, the JC08 mode fuel economy is 14.8 km/liter, an improvement of approximately 14% (2.4 km/liter). The newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission, with its 7th and 8th gears set to overdrive, also contributes significantly to this.

This 8-speed automatic transmission features paddle shifters, allowing for manual-style operation and an enjoyable sporty driving experience. The engine response, akin to a naturally aspirated engine with minimal turbo lag, is a major charm of this engine and transmission combination.

Furthermore, the combination of the "Drive-E" engine and the AWD system is the first and currently the only option for the "V40 Cross Country T5 AWD." The "V40 T5 R-DESIGN," with the same engine, is front-wheel drive, like other models in the lineup.

An All-Weather Grand Tourer in the Entry Model

The all-weather AWD system and the exterior, with its 10mm higher ride height and roof rails compared to the standard model, are sure to appeal strongly to active users who frequently use their cars for sports and leisure. However, with only 200 units available in Japan, you'll need to act fast if you're interested.

The interior features a luxurious atmosphere that Volvo calls "Modern Scandinavian." It comes standard with charcoal and blond two-tone leather seats and a center console with modern wood panels accented in lighter colors. The navigation system, equipped with the intuitive new-generation interface "SENSUS," is also standard.

Volvo is renowned for its safety, and this model is no exception. It includes "IntelliSafe 10," a suite of 10 advanced safety and driver-assistance features such as pedestrian and cyclist detection with full auto brake for collision avoidance and mitigation, and the aforementioned all-speed ACC with distance alert. Additionally, a "Pedestrian Airbag" is standard.

The cabin remained quiet, and relying on the all-speed ACC, we comfortably navigated the Chuo Expressway, arriving at our destination: Akeno Misawa Winery in Akeno Town, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Akeno Misawa Winery has been cultivating Koshu grapes since 2002. Koshu is Japan's only indigenous grape variety, meaning it's unique to Japan, and has a history of cultivation dating back 1,000 years.

Facing the Southern Alps and with the Yatsugatake mountains to the north, the winery's terraced vineyards, which began with 9 hectares, have now expanded to 12 hectares.

The wine produced here from Koshu grapes is named "Grace." It is now served on Japanese and international airlines and is featured in Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan as well as renowned hotels in Singapore and Belgium.

Spacious Interior Despite its Appearance

For lunch, we were served "Madame Misawa's" original marinated local vegetables, seasonal vegetable side dishes with tempura, and a summer Hoto noodle dish called "Ozara," paired with the winery's wine.

The pairing of the "Grace Wine," crafted from grapes grown and harvested in the vineyards overlooking the pristine Southern Alps, with local cuisine was a truly memorable experience, showcasing the bounty of the earth. My apologies to the designated driver, but I thoroughly enjoyed the flavors of Yamanashi. Incidentally, Akeno Misawa Winery also offers winery tours by reservation.

On the return journey, due to concentrated construction work on the Chuo Expressway, we opted for a route via the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park Expressway and then the Tomei Expressway towards the city center. It was a detour, but not a concern. The steering wheel was in the hands of the designated driver who couldn't enjoy the "Grace Wine" at lunch (my apologies).

The comfortable ride in the rear seat, enhanced by the pleasant afterglow of the wine and the V40 Cross Country T5 AWD's composed suspension, allowed me to drift off without a care. We arrived in the city center just after 6 PM.

After a full day of long-distance driving, I felt as though Volvo had taught me anew that sometimes, being chauffeured in the rear seat is not so bad after all.

Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 AWD | Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 AWD
Body Dimensions | Length 4,370 x Width 1,800 x Height 1,470 mm
Wheelbase | 2,645 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,550 / 1,540 mm
Weight | 1,580 kg
Engine | 1,968 cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection Turbo
Max. Output | 180 kW (245 ps) / 5,500 rpm
Max. Torque | 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) / 1,500-4,800 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | 4WD
Min. Turning Radius | 5.4 m
Price | 4,390,000 yen