Volvo XC40 REVEALED
The new Volvo XC40 has finally been revealed in Milan, launching Volvo in to the compact premium SUV sector with an offering which looks very impressive.
Competitive or not, the arrival of the new XC40 is going to have a significant impact on the sector, and not just because the Volvo looks a terrific product, but also because Volvo are planning a new ‘Care by Volvo’ package to make the new XC40 as easy to have on your drive as a mobile phone in your pocket.
With looks which echo closely the XC40 concept, Volvo has delivered a car which is still Volvo – and with many cues and technologies from the XC60 and XC90 – but does it in a different way.
Volvo want you to think of the XC40 not as a sibling to the other Volvo SUVs, but as a cousin; similar DNA, but different.
The trademark grille is there, as are a different take on the ‘Thor’ lights, there’s a clamshell bonnet, no real shoulder line, deep scallops on the flanks, a contrast roof, kinked rear window line and a back end which is very smooth, flat and simple.
Inside there’s an interior which looks very familiar if you’ve been in a recent Volvo, but one which still has its own character, with a trio of element bridged together in to cohesive whole on the dash, and that big upright tablet infotainment screen is all present and correct. It looks damn fine.
With prices starting at £27,905 for the entry level XC40 Momentum, the XC40 is well-priced and well-specced, with a 12.3″ digital instrument panel, 18″ alloys, dual zone climate, rear parking sensors and LED headlights as well as the usual Volvo safety stuff like Emergency Braking and oncoming Lane Mitigation.
For a sporty look it’s XC40 R-Design time with the usual R-Design highlights (from £29,755), and the XC40 Inscription comes, as you’d expect, with leather and toys. ‘First Edition’ models with lots of goodies will also be on offer.
Engine choices at launch will be a FWD T3 petrol with a 154bhp 2.0 litre four-cylinder, a T4 with 187bhp and a T5 with 247bhp. The T4 and T5 are auto and 4WD
The diesel option are four-cylinder 2.0 litre too, with the D3 delivering 148bhp (FWD or 4WD) and the D4 with 187bhp, auto and 4WD. Expect the more frugal 1.5 litre three-cylinder engines and a T5 Twin Engine Hybrid to arrive alter.
Care by Volvo
As already mentioned, Volvo is launching the ‘Care by Volvo’ scheme for the XC40, which looks to be just like the Lynk & Co ‘ownership’ model.
The idea is you pay a fixed monthly fee – just as you would for a mobile phone, Spotify or Amazon Prime – and you get a new car every two years with insurance and all costs included.
Thomas Andersson, Volvo’s Care by Volvo VP, said:
Our aim with Care by Volvo is to provide our customers with a transparent, premium car user experience. With a fixed monthly payment, Volvo Cars provides a truly customer-focused alternative to the traditional purchase or leasing.
Time is a luxury for our customers, and with this service we are able to free up time in their daily lives. This is simply making life easier for our customers.
Care by Volvo will be available in the UK on some XC40 models, but it looks like even an XC40 Momentum is going to cost over £600 a month.
Still, it’s better than shelling out £30k in a lump and paying for everything else too, and the new XC40 does look to be a terrific offering.
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