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2004.5 Volvo S40
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| Small Packages, Big Surprises |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:51:23 |
| Rating |
 488 ( -70 -14.34% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
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Description:
2004.5 Volvo S40
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2004.5 Volvo S40. Over the years, my theory about small packages being better than big ones has held true and it was proved once again when I opened the door of the 2004.5 Volvo S40.
2004.5 Volvo S40. The exterior styling of the 2004.5 model leaves no doubt what family the S40 belongs to.
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2004.5 Volvo S40. Fortunately, the Volvo's sleek design is not just an illusion.
2004.5 Volvo S40. The changes to the chassis of the S40 go far beyond the engine package.
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2004.5 Volvo S40. In one spirited drive, the Volvo S40 felt more like its big brother, the S80, rather than an entry-level luxury car priced in the mid-twenties.
It's been my experience that the neatest things come in small packages. I learned early on to open the little presents first. It was my ninth or tenth birthday and my granddad handed me a single envelope when he arrived for my family birthday party. I politely accepted it; disappointed he'd only brought a card. On that day, I chose to open the biggest box first. I had high hopes of something wonderful, but found only clothes inside and ugly ones at that. Granddad's card was last. After all, what could I expect out of an envelope? Imagine my surprise when a $50 bill fell out. It was more money than I'd ever seen. Not only that, but I was allowed to pick my own gift-anything I wanted! It was a big surprise for such a small package.
Over the years, my theory about small packages being better than big ones has held true and it was proved once again when I opened the door of the 2004.5 Volvo S40. While it is the smallest Volvo in the model line, it is filled with the features one would expect in a much larger (and more expensive) car.
The littlest brother in the Volvo family has actually both grown and shrunk simultaneously. It is 2.2 inches shorter than the previous generation, yet it is also wider and taller, has a longer wheelbase and has more interior space.
Introduced seven years ago overseas, the Volvo S40 was brought to the U.S. in 1999 as a 2000 model. Volvo had already begun to restyle its model line, beginning with the flagship S80 in 1999. The new styling gradually worked its way down the model line, and soon the V70, Cross Country, XC90 and S60 all echoed the new Volvo look. The S40, although not nearly as boxy as the previous generation of Volvos, just didn't quite fit in---until now, that is.
The exterior styling of the 2004.5 model leaves no doubt what family the S40 belongs to. The upright grille, soft nose and V-shaped hood opening lead the eye to the strong, bulging shoulders. Thanks to the shorter overall length, the new S40 has a more pronounced, cab-forward design, making it appear as if it is speeding down the road, even when it is standing still.
Everything, in fact, appears as if it has been pushed to the outward edges of the vehicle and in some instances it has. Unlike its siblings, the S40 does not have the hourglass shape on its sides. Instead, the doors have a convex curvature, which increases the width of the passenger cabin and adds to the overall roominess. The short overhangs in the front and rear mean that the wheels are farther toward the corners than in other models. The overall visual result is an aggressive, athletic-looking automobile.
While the look of speed is certainly a nice feature, it's much better if it is an accurate representation of what's underneath. Fortunately, the Volvo's sleek design is not just an illusion. The company has transformed the S40 from a staid driving machine into a solid performer.
The former four-cylinder engine has been discarded in favor of two in-line five cylinder engines. The base model comes with a normally aspirated 2.4-liter power plant that produces 168 horsepower and 170 foot-pounds of torque. It is mated to either a five-speed automatic transmission or a new generation of Volvo's five-speed manual gearbox. The top-of-the-line model is the T5, which comes equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that is a derivative of the engine that is in the base model S60. It produces 218 horsepower and 236 foot-pounds of torque in a long, flat power band. It is mated to either a five-speed automatic transmission or the six-speed manual gearbox that was developed for the Volvo R, high performance models.
The boost of power and torque is a welcome change from the previous generation of the S40, which was far too sedate to compete against other vehicles in its class, such as the Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat or Acura TSX. I found the base 2004.5 S40 with the 2.4-liter engine to be more than capable when traversing mountain roads as well as for city and highway driving. The T5 model, however, is my hands-down favorite, with the extra power providing plenty of thrills.
The changes to the chassis of the S40 go far beyond the engine package. The little sedan shares a number of its under-the-skin features with the Mazda3 and the European-version of the Ford Focus. While the base geometry and items like the front shocks and springs and multilink in the rear are shared between the three vehicles, Volvo engineers worked hard to differentiate the Volvo in terms of its handling. According to Peter Ewerstrand, S40 program manager, the Volvo team worked to give the S40 the handling characteristics of a large, premium sedan, whereas the Mazda3 has more of a go-kart feel to it.
Ewerstrand and his team succeeded in their efforts. Both the wider track and longer wheelbase make the car much more stable on the road compared to its predecessor. In addition, options such as Dynamic Stability and Traction Control and all-wheel-drive will provide even greater handling in a variety of road conditions. In one spirited drive, the Volvo S40 felt more like its big brother, the S80, rather than an entry-level luxury car priced in the mid-twenties.
That in itself was a pleasant surprise, but what was perhaps the biggest surprise in this small package is what's inside the 2004.5 Volvo S40. Because some of the R&D and parts costs were reduced due to the parts sharing with Ford and Mazda, the Volvo designers had more dollars to spend on some more of the features that are more visible, such as on the interior's center stack. The center stack is, in fact, the centerpiece for an interior that has a clear Scandinavian heritage, yet is a fresh, new approach. The unit, which links the console and the instrument panel, is has the look and feel of a sculpture, yet with practical purposes. All the climate control and audio settings are housed here, in a collection of buttons and knobs that are entirely intuitive. What is most unique about the center stack, however, takes a bit more of a close inspection. The unit is remarkably slim and there is actually storage space behind it that is perfect for a small bag or purse.
This unique feature sets the tone for a vehicle that is reaching out to young, hip thirty-somethings who are interested in safety, but also in fun. The instrument panel features contrasting metal bezels, while the upholstery comes in four choices. In addition to a leather option, a new material called T-Tec is also available. The most unusual upholstery choice is called Dala, a ribbed textile in which the seams are accented in a light color.
There are a lot of features to be discovered in this small package too. Standard equipment on the new 2004.5 Volvo S40 includes air conditioning, power windows, mirrors and locks, stability traction control, electronic brake assist, a theft-deterrent system, leather-covered steering wheel and cruise control. Most of the options available on the S60 and S80 will also be available to S40 buyers as options for those who want to make the package even more exquisite. Regardless of the trimmings, this is one small package you are definitely going to want to open first.
2004.5 Volvo S40 Reviewer's Notes
Curb Appeal: New styling makes it clear that the S40 is part of the Volvo family and also gives it a more youthful look.
Asphalt Rating: Two five-cylinder engines provide more power than the previous generation. If "more power" is your mantra, go for the 218 horsepower, turbocharged version.
Real World: Fun-to-drive with lots of great features for a mid-twenties price.
Handling: Handles more like a premium luxury sedan than its competitors.
Comfort: The redesign has resulted in substantially more space for front and rear passengers, while the chassis has been tuned to provide the feel of riding in a larger car.
---Story by Tara Baukus Mello
---Photos courtesy of Volvo
© 2004, Tara Baukus Mello, All Rights Reserved. |
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