2013 Volvo V40 launched in Middle East
New front and all-wheel drive challengers in premium hatchback segment
By Shahzad Sheikh
Fraser Martin drove the new Volvo V40 in July last year – read his verdict here – but it’s only now finally gone on sale in the region.
Coincidentally – or not – coinciding with the arrival of the new Mercedes A-Class, and on the heels of the recently launched Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the all-new small Volvo is yet another attempt at carving out sales for a difficult niche in the Middle East – the premium hatchback back segment.
And like its German and Italian rivals, the Volvo immediately scores with arresting looks and style – far better in the metal than in the pictures.
Final pricing still hasn’t been confirmed, but at the press conference it was revealed that it would range from AED120,000 ($33k) rising to AED170,000 ($46k).
The V40 T4 (180bhp) comes with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine putting out 180bhp at 5700rpm and 177lb ft of torque from 1600-5000rpm, this gives it a 0-100kph time of 8.5 seconds through a six-speed automatic and fuel consumption of 6.4L/100km.
You can get this car with the R-Design sports package which is essentially a body kit and some interior trim changes. Volvo also offers a tune up for the engine, under the Polestar badge, which sees power rise to 200bhp.
For the Middle East, we also get a T5 version of the V40 which runs the 2.0-litre five-cylinder engine producing 213bhp at 6000rpm and 221lb ft of torque from 2700-5000rpm. This gives it 0-100kph acceleration of 6.2 seconds through a six-speed automatic and fuel consumption of 7.5L/100km.
We also get the All-Wheel-Drive version, badged the Cross Country – it features a raised ride height and higher seating position for a more compact-SUV like feel. It gets the same 2.0 engine but acceleration slows to 7.2 seconds and fuel consumption rises to 8.1L/100km.
It’s not touted as an off-roader by any means, but the extra traction and ride height could certainly come in handy on some of our terrain in the region.
Being a Volvo it has lots of safety features including lane-keeping, collision avoidance braking, pedestrian detection and even pedestrian airbags.
