Wilvo S40 test drive since 2007 sedan
Celebrated the prize
The Swedish company today refers all its models to the so-called premium class. As the updated Volvo-S40 sedan and the V50 station wagon look in this context, Sergei Kannikov studied. Volvo S40, V50
The second-generation sedan S40 debuted in 2003, the V50 station wagon in 2004. In 2007, the cars were updated.
Engines: gasoline 1.62.5 l (100230 hp), diesel 1.62.4 l (109180 hp).
Gearboxes: 5- and 6-speed mechanical, 6-speed automatic.
Configurations: individual
Price: $ 25 40040 900.
Test car: sedan S40, 230 hp, 6-speed automatic, the price in Russia is not declared.
Okay cut, confused tightly What lies behind the word updated, it is not difficult to guess, still really and not considering the car. So it is there (on the face!) Other bumpers, headlights, a radiator grille. The exhaust pipes and interior details were also changed. In addition, the declared power of a 5-cylinder 2.5-liter engine is now not 220, but 230 hp. In today's times, the set is quite enough to recall the car.
What is the premium class today? Outwardly, the car is solid, even a little heavy. However, for this style, fans of the Swedish brand always appreciated it. There is no great room in the cabin, although I won’t call it cramped. If the front is not gullines, the back is quite comfortable and not to liliputs. The trunk is huge one of the advantages of a volvo high stern characteristic of sedans.
The special pride of the designers is the armrest between the front chairs with a two -story compartment for small things, complementing the glove box and capacious pockets in the doors. A lover's dream to carry everything with him. Superless, dense, but not unnecessarily strict in landing, the seats are in harmony well with the salon well -gathered, perfectly collected and trimmed with expensive materials. In everything, the Scandinavian design and practicality. True, not everyone will like the steering wheel with protrusions on the upper semicircle.
I close the door and I feel that I was fenced off from the noise of the city sensation, what arises when after a hard day you finally get into your cozy house. The starter grunted quietly, and it became quiet again, although the arrows of the devices took up jobs.
A little and a lot Finally we went out of the operational scope. On the narrow streets of a quiet German town and on the paths of its suburbs, the car is convenient and a flexor. Unless visibility due to massive, unsuccessful racks are tank. However, for Germany, this is a lesser drawback than for Russia. The movement here is a little reminiscent of a slow film. It is worth turning on the flashing light to the neighbors dump the speed and pass, at the intersections are attentive and preventive. And in Moscow, the review of Volvo-S40, at least with habit, would have created problems.
The acceleration strip of the autobahn ends very quickly. The world outside the windows is still removed from the cabin, but now it does not float, but flies. And yet at first it seems that the car is not too dynamic. Where are these 230 forces? But, having played the overclocking of gas and comparing the sensations with the position of stationary and moving landmarks, I realized: everything is in order of the car is as fast as the family sedan is supposed to.
By the way, you understand this well, holding the V50 station wagon with a 180-horsepower diesel for a powerful sedan (we have not sold cars with such motors yet). The car is not at all slow -moving, but the gas pedal, so as not to lag behind, click all the time into the floor.
Having gained the cruising, autobaste speed of the left row, I realize how easy and comfortable in this car. There is exactly as much as you wait for it: the thrust and sensitivity of the steering wheel, brakes and clearly, almost without jerking a working gearbox. The sedan, without demanding steering, is confidently standing on the road. But where, after 120 km/h, a wonderful sound insulation went? A quiet salon suddenly filled the not too loud, but persistent rumble. Aerodynamics? Tires? I experimented with Syak, but I did not find a definite answer. 
KNOWING OF LIMITS Managing Volvo-S40 on narrow winding roads is also easy and pleasant. The car is assembled, obedient to the steering wheel, pleasant with energetic (but not sports!) Riding. Alas, the suspension, even taking into account excellent controllability, is clearly harsh. A long journey along our roads will probably cause irritation. Perhaps, from the perspective of the premium class, that is, from the point of view of solidity, reliability in management, the quality of the finish, the Volvo-S40 car without very vivid advantages, but also without frank disadvantages. It is only in its best. And this is perhaps one of the main virtues of such cars.
The same properties, view of the back The wagon volvo-V50, of course, is spacious for the cargo. In behavior, he was close to the sedan, he did not show much foliage in corners. True, at high speeds high for 120 km/h, the car is even noisier than the non -shock in these modes of the sedan.
Volvo S40 premium class in translated from Swedish thoroughness in style, easy control, decent dynamics. Not cheap? So the bonus is always a salary additive.
+ High -quality, solid finish, excellent in calm modes of movement noise insulation, reliable brakes. - cramped rear seat, mediocre visibility, noise at high speeds.
For the same money
Mazda 6
$ 23 40042 800
The car is offered with three bodies sedan, hatchback, station wagon. Motors from 120 to 260 hp (The latter on the all -wheel drive sedan 6MPS). Mazda is more spacious volvo, but it is easier.
ZR, 2007, No. 3
Peugeot 407
$ 24 00042 500
The French sedan and the station wagon are supplied with engines 123211 hp. The model of the model is comfortable and colorful design; It is he who seems to be controversial to some.
Source: The magazine "Driving"
