Volvo S40 and V50 facelifted
Volvo has launched the new facelifted versions of it’s Volvo S40 sedan and the Volvo V50 stationwagon. The styling cues have been updated to reflect Volvo’s new design cues that started with the new latest model S80 sedan and V70 stationwagon.
There is increased differentiation with the front ends of the two cars. Both cars use different bumper designs, and the V50 grille is now sportier with a black egg-crate design and a larger Volvo iron mark. Tail lamps for both cars are slimmer by 30mm, have a new graphic layout and now use LEDs to light up. The exhaust tailpipes have also had their shape and position altered.
As for the interior, there is now extra space on the front door inside panels thanks to reshaped speakers. There is now a new large compartment that can fit an A4 book, an upright drinks can or a water bottle lying down. The iconic slim center console that has been copied by other manufacturers now feature an optional real wood trim called Nordic Light Oak, which can be seen in the photos after the jump. It looks really weird, I prefer the normal brushed aluminium. Some safety enhancements include hazard lights that automatically come on when airbags are activated, and all three brake lights flashing five times a second during emergency braking or ABS function activation. Also, ISOFIX points in the rear seats are now standard.
Two models have engine enhancements - the 2.5 liter turbocharged T5 model’s horsepower is up by 10 to 23 horsepower, while the Euro V-compliant 400Nm D5 turbodiesel engine now comes with a 6-speed manual.
More photos after the jump, or read my road test report on the Volvo V50 T5.
April 13, 2007 @ 7:01 am
Wow very nice. I love it!!
April 13, 2007 @ 7:28 am
I still prefer the previous S40.
Agree that the slim center console nade by real wood trim looks really weird! Yak!!! It not match the car interior at old, some more feel like a old man car!!
The previous S40 look more sporty; the facelift version look more “OLD”..
Or else the volvo have the plan to switch the S40 market to old ppl instead of youth?? hahaha..
April 13, 2007 @ 8:43 am
My affair with Volvo cars started back in the 1980’s when our national TV was showing a re run of The Saint, starring Roger Moore. Somehow, that show appealed more to me than anyother shows, possibly because of the stealthy character and of course… my all time favourite car, the P1800.
The affair intensified on 1st Feb 1988 when my dad took delivery of this Volvo 240…. at that time he was driving his trusty Sunny 130Y and my mom was adamant that he should’ve just stuck with the Sunny; and it was possibly the easiest car to maintain in my dad’s history, probably next to his current workhorse, the Avanza 1.3.
The Volvo served us very well and needless to say, Volvos will always have a special place in my heart. Rikard Rydell’s winning S40 in the BTCC really caught my eye, it was the most beautiful touring car i’ve ever seen, alongside the Audi’s A4.
It’s sad that the S60’s fate is still unknown, though i would have expected them to “grow” the S80 to take on the A8, since they now have their own V8; and the S60 to take on the A6.
With this facelift, the interior looks very much classier but the wooden panelling is best reserve for a Classic line.. if the wood panelling is standard on all trims, it might deter buyers from getting one.
I like the new S40, but it could have had more buyers in this side of the world if they had a 2 litre light pressure turbo unit like what they had in their previous line up. The 2.4 unit is of course a marvellous engine, i thoroughly enjoyed driving it, though it was just along the Fed highway, and with the optional bodykit and 17 inch multi spoked rims by BBS (correct me if i’m wrong), it has got the looks to kill.
April 13, 2007 @ 9:10 am
Volvo just comes up with great looking touring cars.
Paul,
is current gen volvo’s still a bitch on petrol consumption?
April 13, 2007 @ 9:45 am
Johor and Wilayah plates..
April 13, 2007 @ 10:29 am
it looks quite nice actually…..does have the grandfather’s car type warm feeling to it…… maybe a little bit more chrome bits or stainless steel bits to complement the furnishing…..
not sure why they have this trim for an S40?? If you’re in that “generation”, you’ll probably afford an S80??
but a car is meant to be a car…..unless you like driving a living room around?
April 13, 2007 @ 10:57 am
the new slim console in wood is totally coool!!!
April 13, 2007 @ 11:21 am
nice wood console…
but the exterior look abit over trim…y got so many edges here n there compare to previous one..
but overall still..it look great.
April 13, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
nice move from volvo..the wood center console does look cool..guess its a matter of preference..n nice twin exhaust..give a sporty look..
April 13, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
The exterior and interior color blend in so well
Love those creamy color seats,so classier
April 13, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
Basically, I’d still go for the current S40.
It has a more sporty and imposing look. This facelifted version looks bland and tame.
Interior wise - there’s nothing much to shout about either.
Perhaps what might attract my attention me are the twin tail-pipes only.
Cheers!
April 13, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
the only experience i had with a volvo was my dad’s 2.2 litre turbo 240GLT
car came standard with pirelli P6 tyres.. very rare car that time even.
S40 is a really nice car to drive.. but my only complaint is, there are so few compartments to store all the silly things we have to store in the front of our cars.. and the glovebox is exactly that, just to keep your gloves!!
April 13, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
why do i get to see that continential cars have the audiish front grill design…but a great improvement in deed!
April 13, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
Wow, wood trim interior and white leather seats, very nice, feels like inside IKEA ahha. I like it a lot.
April 13, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
i dont know?, but the best translation for a word ‘volvo’ is = 200 series
April 13, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
wow! its very nice indeed. interior looks like its from ikea.. hehe.. seriously, i really njoy driving my dad’s 850. its a 5cyl. 25valves 2.5 N/A engine. power delivery is smooth n throttle is responsive. engine is extremely smooth n quiet n exhaust sounds nice! cant imagine new gen 2.4 on dis smaller car. good chassis, reputable safety, comfy interior, brand image. volvo really makes good 5 cyl. engine. volvo wagons r nice too n v50, in my opinion, is both sensible and a nice lifestyle vehicle.
April 13, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
n it feels good in a volvo
April 13, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
wood! nice wood console.
April 14, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
the wagon usually associated with being the car 4 hantar barang o hantar stock. i have always love wagon, my first experience is with my dad’s Toyota Ke-70 wagon, which has since sold.
Volvo has always come out with boxy but undeniably sexy wagons, especially the v50. But in terms of style, the closest competitors for v50 i think would be the Alfa 156 sportwagon
April 14, 2007 @ 7:41 pm
never knew that quite some people out there likes volvo’s…
i still prefer the V70 over V50….. even the boxy V70 are damn sexy!
but these car are very-very rare! they are like diamond!
April 14, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
Ularsawa,
Suprisingly the new generation volvos are OK for fuel concumption. My S60 2.0T can go from Ipoh to Singapore without refuelling and still has 1/3 tank left. Range according to the on board computer is estimated at 870km if I cruise at 110km on a full tank.Haven’t really gone that far but have managed 700km without refuelling. My previous car,a Honda Accord 2.2 1995 model used more fuel than my volvo.
April 14, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
Volvo car is getting rarer in Malaysia. Why? first it looks like a coffin, second the / sign at the front mean die and third it is an Ah Pek car.
April 16, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
Damn that’s one good looking wood panel inside. Definitely a very contemporary approach, I like it.
Unlike those over glossy, plastic like wood in most wannabe lux cars.