Here’s something very interesting. Readers Amirul and SK Teoh have sent in images of the yet to be launched Volvo XC40 in Malaysia. It’s not just one stray unit of the reigning 2018 European Car of the Year, but a fleet of the junior Volvo SUV in various colours, all registered with fresh V plates.
The school of XC40s were spotted in an upscale restaurant in Ipoh, and the cars have numbered stickers on the top corner of their windscreens – this resembles a media or customer drive, and Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) could well have been planning for one over the weekend. Official launch just around the corner?
Anyway, these pics give us a clue on what we’ll get. The XC40s you see here are all in the sporty R-Design trim, and we know that from the gloss black chequerboard front grille, visible twin exhaust tips and rear spoiler. The wheels look like 18-inch double-spoke diamond cut items, and the badge on the hatch shows that it’s a T5.
The XC40 T5 is powered by 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine with 247 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The Drive-E unit is paired to an eight-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, with all-wheel-drive being the only option. The XC40 is available as a front-wheel drive with the T4 and T3 engines but it remains to be seen if those will be offered. No hints that these cars are T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrids, too.
Should the XC40 introduction follow VCM trends, the initial batch would be CBU imports, with CKD local assembly coming in later to replace the CBUs. We’re expecting launch prices from RM250k to RM300k for this cool little sibling to the XC60 and XC90, which will rival the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
I like the fact that it isn’t a smaller scale copy of the XC60, but a fresh design targeting a younger crowd. Like what you see? More on the XC40 here.
GALLERY: Volvo XC40 T5 in Singapore
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Proton XC40 to slot in right below Proton Boyue.
Mght as well get a CX3 or HRV. Same second price after one year. Better RV and more premium
It is a joke nowadays with so many junk new cars on sale with huge discount offerings & 5 years warranty with blind people still talking about better RV used car price without warranty by then.
Furthermore, One XC40 new price can buy you two units of either CX3 or HRV
Who would want to pay for your better RV ?? for your cheaper price CX3 or HRV used car then without warranty ( better buy a new one if difference is not much with warranty) couple with a lot repair cost on the table to be absorbed by next owner?
Better RV does not make sense for cheaper cars like CX3 and HRV but make more sense for other expensive car so the next owner owning can appreciate the big difference between new and used price then.
2 years old cx3 has higher selling price than xc40
Volvo, Geely > all
Such a beauty!
The younger crowd ride, Toyota CHR.
Funny thing is, the few CH-R I managed to see on the road are mostly driven by middle-aged dudes. Mid-life crisis, perhaps?
Lolz! Too much money and not enuff sense when others r so much more cheaper and better.
Its their $$$. At least they did NOT steal to buy what they like.
that Man of Steal.
Proton, Geely, Perodua, Toyota, Mazda, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo > all
If the XC40 is from RM250k to RM300k, can 2018 European Car of the Year beat the mighty Merc GLC(bigger & forget about GLA) not to mention X1/2 & Toyota Harrier/Lexus?
I know for a fact that most M’sian will take the Merc simply bcoz its a Merc that outsell all & sundry in the SUV segment judging by the sheer numbers on the roads.
No, the best seller in the segment is BMW X1, if this Volvo selling more than 230k, it have no chances
Price circa 230k, go for Toyota Harrier Turbo 240HP .
Albeit long waiting list.
That was before XC40 was launch .
Based on most Auto car reviews XC40 is a much better overall package compare to X1 and Q3 even GLA and came out top in its premium segment category
Due to huge demand for Xc40 , Volvo could NOT cope up in making more XC40 for sale in meeting huge buyer orders worldwide.
Yes, XC40 will sell more than X1 in coming days .
So many affluent interested buyers already awaiting for its launch now even if it is price below or above RM230K.
Not all good car review make top sales. The XC60 also won the 2018 World Car of The Year but did not make it into the top 50 this year in the half yearly sales. I wonder why!!
The public will continue to shell out for the Benz as I can rarely see the new XC60 on the road. Maybe in 1-2 years we could see more when VCM starts selling pre reg units are cheaper prices. Plus I doubt they will sell the T5 for cheap and since the T5 is on the cards that means VCM may not bring in the T5 Twin Engine which has similar outputs unless they can secure rebates from the government.
In fact, hardly see Volvo on the road
Toyota Harrier is not and never was a Premium SUV status to command asking for RM240K , just overprice actually and should sell below RM20OK actually
With RM240K affordability and budget , advisable to better buy Premium European Brands.
Vw is not a Premium European brand, FYI
Surprisingly i saw quite a number of XC90 on road, but the XC60 is hardly see it.
I kinda prefer the Momentum trim over R Design.
VolvoCar, Geely, P1, Mesidis, VolvoTrucks, Lotus > all
Volvo Trucks doesn’t belong to Geely. Volvo Cars separated when Ford took them over in 1999.
Cx3 is most premium and coolest
XC60 is much better design than outdated design HRV and outdated new facelift HRV
True Nocturnal Animals. Dear Malaysian, there are reason why people shouldn’t buy Honda models in Malaysia. It is because Honda Malaysia is an association of manufacturers or suppliers with the purpose of maintaining prices at a high level and restricting competition. Moreover, Honda is very terrible as proven by JD Power Malaysia Customer Service Index (http://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/jd-power-2017-malaysia-customer-service-index-csi-study) – [take note that Proton and Perodua JD Power Malaysia Customer Service Index will improve in the next few years]. Furthermore, there are also having problem about faulty part for some Honda models. I am Civic owner, I just bought it last year. After one year, there is also having problem about my Civic. EPS (Electonic Power Steering) got problem. Also when I drive at the low speed, I heard that there is a crackling noise from Drive Shaft and also Relay on/off for more than 10 times in 1 second which gives problem. Therefore, as I went in to the Honda showroom, Honda people didn’t greet me. This shows that Honda Customer Care is very terrible as well. This is actually why Malaysian is cheated by Honda Malaysia.
T3 loh please… I already got a 2.0 for long distance travel. This one I use for daily office-rumah.
t3 not powerful enough to move 1700kg.
Wow, R-Design with 2-tone. Needless to say, this will be the hot shoe at Volvo Malaysia.
The XC40 will definitely become the best-selling Volvo here. The new S60 and V40 should also sell well. However, I think right now, Volvo shouldn’t chase sales, but rather, focus on aftersales to retain existing customers.
Because last I checked, it was “Volvo for life”, not “Volvo for 5 years (or until the warranty expires)”.
Went to Thai launch event. We are getting them from Malaysian factory on Jan 15. So I guess you could be receiving the CKD as early as December maybe. T5 R-Design and, T4 Momentum is coming to us.
Priced equal to our base GLA for the Momentum, and generally feels better value than the other premium brands when considering the standard options list. It was funny to hear BMW and Audi instantly dropped their prices for X1 and Q2 when they heard the pricing.
I’m surprise that ppl are comparing the Volvo XC40 with CX3, CHR and HRV, although they are the same segment, but it’s totally different level of quality and luxury.
Volvo is a luxury car brand which is the same as BMW and Benz.