Volvo V40 Cross Country – rugged looks, higher ride

Volvo V40 Cross Country – rugged looks, higher ride

Once upon a time before Volvo made proper SUVs, there was the V70 Cross Country, a rugged version of the V70 wagon which then morphed into the XC70. The XC badge then became synonymous with Volvo’s SUVs thanks to the successful XC90. Now, the Swedish brand is reviving the Cross Country name with the V40 Cross Country. This badge will exist alongside the XC range.

“There is a clear distinction between our XC and Cross Country models. The Volvo XC models have a distinct crossover character with unique body-styles including an elevated seating position, while the Cross Country models are expressive all-road versions of our dynamic wagons and hatchbacks,” explains Lex Kerssemakers, senior vice president of product strategy at Volvo.

“When it comes to driving dynamics, the V40 Cross Country is eager to take on the sportiest competitor versions. It features an attractive blend of sportiness and comfort,” he adds.

Volvo V40 Cross Country – rugged looks, higher ride

The driver rides 40 mm higher in the V40 Cross Country than in the standard V40, and unique details include V70 sized wheels (up to 19 inches); dark contrasting bumper; honeycomb mesh grille; upright DRLs; sculpted, contrasting sills and a contrasting rear bumper with integrated skid plate.

There are also off-road inspired details such as the anodised, black high-gloss frame around the greenhouse, the black rear-view mirror housings and roof rails.

Inside, the Raw Copper exterior launch colour is echoed in the contrasting stitching. The hue can be emphasised further by choosing the Copper Dawn centre stack inlay. Leather comes in five different colours, including Espresso Brown. For a “theatre lighting” feel, there’s a red-to-blue setting that adapts LED lighting to the interior temperature or seven mood themes. Reading lights can be dimmed.

Volvo V40 Cross Country – rugged looks, higher ride

All-Wheel Drive is available on the T5 petrol turbo model, which has a five-cylinder 2.5-litre engine with 254 hp and 400 Nm, including 40 Nm overboost on full throttle. The T5 can be a 2.0 litre with 213 hp/300 Nm in certain markets. The T4 is a 1.6 litre GTDi engine with 180 hp and 270 Nm, including 30 Nm overboost.

The T5 version comes with an automatic gearbox, while T4 customers can choose between the dual-clutch Powershift transmission or a good old manual ‘box. All are six-speed units.

On the turbodiesel front, the five-cylinder 2.0 litre D4 delivers 177 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds with the automatic gearbox (8.6 sec with manual). Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are 4.4 l/100 km with a manual gearbox and 5.2 l/100 km with the automatic. There’s also a 2.0 litre D3 with 150 hp/350 Nm.

Volvo V40 Cross Country – rugged looks, higher ride

The greenest option is the D2, which comes with class-leading 99 g/km CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of just 3.8 l/100 km. This 1.6 litre diesel engine has 115 hp and 285 Nm of torque, including 15 Nm overboost. A six-speed manual is the only transmission choice.

Every V40 Cross Country gets start-stop and braking energy regeneration, but Hill Descent Control is only for the T5 AWD.

To be produced in Ghent, Belgium from November, the V40 Cross Country is aimed at both Europe and China. Volvo’s home continent is expected to buy half of the 17,000 units produced per year, with China taking 30%. Volvo will also bring the V40 R-Design, this car’s sporty sister, to Paris.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • shawal on Sep 24, 2012 at 11:45 am

    mmm…. budget 2013…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Suedeish Mark on Sep 24, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    This is more than enough to satisfy my (and my wife’s) show and go requirement, can’t wait for this to hit our shore.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Black Dog on Sep 24, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Volvo is getting so damn beautiful, especially the rear (yes I have homo tendencies). This is the second car I wish to have in my garage. The first is still the Range Rover Evoque.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • powershot on Sep 24, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    potential next car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Whynot on Sep 24, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    Volvo had changed a lot since those boxy styling simply for safety and comfort. Are those old attitude in P1 changes already?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Suarez on Sep 24, 2012 at 9:59 pm

      P1 wont change! They’re waiting toyota and honda change first!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • accordmania on Sep 24, 2012 at 2:51 pm

    overall, this volvo SUV is very attractive and affordable compare to other continental models. only the second value is the main culprit to scare people from buying it. VOLVO should promote more and give confidence to malaysian to own it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • adzim on Sep 24, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    this is one sexy unicorn beast

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Josh Ling on Sep 24, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    the rugged theme fits rather well with this car. love it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Bell&Ross on Sep 24, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    are they going to launch the v40?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • seancorr on Sep 24, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    I’m very eager to buy a Volvo over a BMW or Mercedes if Volvo Malaysia had more after sales support. At their current state, the marque isn’t going to go anywhere soon in Malaysia. At least Subaru is doing a good job expanding here!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Ah Beng on Sep 24, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    avanza better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Myvi lagi best

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • optimus on Sep 25, 2012 at 9:25 am

    looks sportier than normal v40

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Looks like Volvo is resurrecting the Cross Country moniker and change its meaning. My ride is the 2nd generation Cross Country and just changed to XC70 designation a few months later with no change to body style or ride height. Now it seems Volvo has created another niche, slightly higher ride height than standard but lower than a XC. Volvo have normal sedan and wagon with AWD too for the T6 or T5 models. Wonder if it will create confusion to market when you have a V60 Cross Country or even a V50 Cross Country.

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