Will the V40 Change Volvo?

Sales of Volvo's new compact car, the "V40," appear to be quite strong.

Unlike previous models that leveraged Volvo's reputation for safety and offered a slightly larger body than rivals for added value, the new V40 directly competes with the Mercedes-Benz "A-Class" and BMW's "1 Series" with its class-leading high-tech safety devices, sharp Scandinavian design, and an "ultra-strategic price point" starting from 2.69 million yen. This combination has led to its popularity, achieving over 3,100 orders in just five weeks since its launch.

For context, Volvo's annual domestic sales volume is around 14,000 units (2012 statistics). If the pace of 3,000 units per month were to continue for a full year, that alone would reach 36,000 units, potentially placing Volvo second only to Volkswagen, which leads the domestic importer market with 56,000 sales last year. Of course, a monthly pace of 3,000 units is likely only at the initial launch phase and will probably subside later. Nevertheless, the V40's launch undoubtedly holds the potential to significantly alter Volvo's presence in Japan.

Not a Sportier V40

The "V40 T5 R-DESIGN," introduced here, is designed to further enhance the V40 lineup.

Subtle, Yet Refined

Comparing the exterior with the "V40 T4 SE," which is equipped with a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, we notice a revised air intake shape in the chin spoiler area of the front section, and the tire size has been upgraded from 225/45R17 to 225/40R18.

At the rear, the T5 R-DESIGN features decorative chrome accents around the so-called "rear diffuser." However, neither of these changes has enough impact to fundamentally alter the car's overall impression; they remain within the scope of a minor cosmetic update.



The interior aims for a refreshed image through material changes while maintaining the basic design, and the effect is surprisingly significant.

In particular, the center stack, a signature element of Volvo's design, uses a combination of carbon-look and metallic materials in the T5 R-DESIGN. Its exquisite finish is impressive, lending a far greater sense of luxury compared to the somewhat plain T4 SE.

More Than Just Power

It's commendable that the inline 5-cylinder 2.0-liter engine in the T5 R-DESIGN doesn't excessively amplify the exhaust note, even for a "sporty model."


Incidentally, the gearbox differs from the T4 SE's 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission; the T5 R-DESIGN uses a 6-speed torque converter automatic. This also seems to be a factor influencing the perception of "power feel."

The suspension tuning aligns with the direction of the powertrain. While the spring rates and damper settings are increased by one or two levels, the initial movement is very smooth, so you don't feel a harsh impact when going over bumps. This results in a ride that is firm yet remarkably smooth and comfortable.

With this description, you can likely imagine the handling characteristics as well.



Here too, rather than emphasizing quick response, the steering is precise, confident, and possesses a deep reserve of capability. Therefore, the keywords for handling are not sportiness, but rather a sense of substance or luxury.

Indeed, the T5 R-DESIGN is definitively sportier than the T4 SE, but what's more emphasized is luxury rather than sportiness. While the "R" in "R-DESIGN" is often assumed to stand for Racing, Volvo explains it as an acronym for Refinement.

To conclude, the T5 R-DESIGN is a more premium and refined high-grade model, with a sporty flavor added to the T4 SE.

The price for this luxury is 3.99 million yen, exactly 900,000 yen higher than the T4 SE. However, considering that the leather seats and navigation system, standard on the T5 R-DESIGN, are worth approximately 450,000 yen, the effective extra cost is around 450,000 yen. Given that this upgrade includes a switch from a 4-cylinder to a 5-cylinder engine and a significantly more comfortable ride, it could be considered a reasonable price depending on how you look at it.

Therefore, for Volvo fans who plan to own their V40 for a long time, we strongly recommend test driving the T5 R-DESIGN.

Volvo V40 T5 R-DESIGN | Volvo V40 T5 R Design
Body Dimensions | Length 4,370 x Width 1,800 x Height 1,440 mm
Wheelbase | 2,645 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,545 / 1,535 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.7 meters
Weight | 1,540 kg
Engine | 1,983 cc Inline 5-cylinder DOHC Direct Injection Turbo
Maximum Output | 157 kW (213 ps) / 6,000 rpm
Maximum Torque | 300 Nm (30.6 kgm) / 2,700-5,000 rpm
Transmission | 6-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | FF
Tires | 225/40R18
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 13.2 km/ℓ
Price | 3,990,000 yen