Volvo S40

Introduced in the middle of the 2004 model year, the second generation S40 (known as the 2004.5 Volvo S40) introduced a new design based on the Volvo P1 platform built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. At the same time, the V40 was replaced by the V50 estate, also based on the P1 platform and built in Ghent. The S40 was nominated for the World Car of the Year award for 2005 and won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Sport Compact award for 2005. It has also been elected the South African Car of the Year for 2005 by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists. The chassis for this car and the majority of its components were developed by Volvo, however similar mechanical components can be found in the Mazda3 and the European Ford Focus. The engine, a 2.5L 5 cylinder (B5254T3, and B5254S respectively for the turbo and naturally aspirated models) is the latest generation of Volvo’s 5 cylinder engines. These inline fives have been continually developed by Volvo since the debut of the engine in the 850, in 1993. The top of the line S40 T5 AWD, as well as the 2.4 and 2.4i, powertrain is still made by Volvo. The transmission is developed through GETRAG of Germany, with the AWD system bought from Haldex of Sweden. The S40 T5 (one of the several variants of the S40) features a 2.5 L (2521 cc) five-cylinder fuel injected engine with a light-pressure turbocharger. The valvetrain has four valves per cylinder and is a DOHC design. The engine is transversely mounted at the front of the vehicle and drives the front wheels, as was with the first generation.

The S40 was refreshed for 2008, offering refined sportiness and increased premium feel. Further improvements include improved audio systems, increased storage space and new safety features like Emergency Brake Lights which flash rapidly during hard braking to alert traffic behind the car. The new S40 also comes with optional Active Bi-Xenon headlights which point the light beam in the direction of the road as it curves. There is also a camera which can be located on the side mirrors which alerts the drivers of passing vehicles beside the car which is a great bonus. However it only comes as an optional extra unless you purchase the SE Lux. However, Volvo has decided to release the 2 litre diesel geartronic on the 3rd week of February which is unfortunate for some buyers who are on the waiting list for this particular model. The T5 engine got a performance increase of 9 horsepower, giving an output of 227 hp. Also during the second half of 2007 the D5 engine will become available with a manual gearbox, offering 400 Nm of torque compared with the automatic transmission’s 350 Nm. The S40 has been scheduled to be discontinued after the current generation. The C30 and a new range of C30 based vehicles will replace the S40, and the 2009 S60 will become the new entry level executive sedan. All of this is in plan of Volvo’s new luxury position in the global market.