The original S40/V40 sedan and wagons were a product of a partnership between Volvo and Mitsubishi. The base chassis was basically a Mitsubishi Carisma, modified heavily by Volvo. Basically some of the same mounting points and stamping were used, but most of the other stuff like materials are different, so very little is interchangeable although they came from the same origin. More details available here. This same chassis was also used by Proton as a base for the Proton Waja.
The Volvo V50 is one cool people mover. Station wagons have never looked so good before. Wait, that’s not right. This is a Sportswagon, as Volvo calls it.
This new S40/V50 series is based on a Ford/Mazda platform. (Details here) The same one found in the current Mazda3 and also the upcoming Ford Focus. The S40/V40 family is now the S40/V60 family as Volvo has changed it’s naming convention to even numbers for sedans and off numbers for the wagons and SUVs.
More details on why Volvo stopped sharing platforms with Mitsubishi are available here (Mitsubishi and Volvo fall out of bed).
The V50 has a bigger wheelbase than the successful V40 model it replaces. This is done by placing the wheels further towards each corner, creating a roomier interior.
It also has that classy interior which first appeared in the new S40.
The V50 is powered by a 2.5 litre T5 engine, with 5 cylinders arranged in an in-line formation. Why the odd number of cylinders? Who knows, but Volvo seems to have perfected the 5 cylinder design. Another car with 5 cylinders which I know is the Fiat Coupe. Anyone know any others? The turbocharged DOHC T5 engine produces 220bhp at 5000rpm and 320Nm torque at 4800rpm, more than enough to propel the 1540kg car from 0-100 in 7.3 seconds. Top speed for the car is 235km/h. The car has an average combined cycle fuel consumption of 9.6 litres per 100km.
The engine power is put to the wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed Geartronic automatic transmission. It seems that only the 5-speed Geartronic auto transmission is available in Malaysia. The wheels on the car are 205/50/R17. Sweet.
The car comes with safety features such as ABS, EBD, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, Emergency brake Assistance, Dual front and passanger airbags, Side Impact Protection airbags for the front, Whiplash protection system, inflatable curtains, and well, so much more being a Volvo. Full specs available in this PDF download.
The car will damage your bank account by a sum of RM229,988.67 without insurance for personal registration.
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Phuiyo! my DREAM CAR !!!
Aaahhhh… at last something soothful… now this is what you call A CAR!!! Volvo is always my golden dream car, espacially the wagon kind, the one that i fall in love at the vary 1st sight is the T5…
where does mitsu fit in into the ford-mazda-volvo platform sharing thingy?
NF: they dont. it used to be volvo-mitsu platform sharing. now its ford-mazda-volvo.
Dear Paul
I intend to buy a 2001 made, V40 in Malaysia. Can you comment on the performance of V40? Is there any major problem for this model? How about the cost of maintenance, means frequent charge of parts and parts cost, compare with BMW 3 series. Do you any problem to get parts replacement for V40 after 5 to 10 years from now?
Thank you.
I’ll be tipping out a little malt over the death of the V50…I always liked this car. Upscale, yet practical, sensible and not flashy. Thats what made Volvo for me.
I like the V50… Sad to see it leave. The S/V50 might be helped from a bit of reboot though – they’re a little stale.
If Volvo would stand behind the fact that it is a niche-market manufacturer, it would do much better than it does right now.
I couldn’t agree with you more
Agreed on the C30, a likable little car with a scary sticker if well equipped
Audi and Honda has a model range using 5 cyl engine.