Test drive Volvo V50 2004 - 2007 station wagon
New "Volvo" for the Old World
Modification: Volvo V50 Curious thing marketing. The new Volvo S40 was shown to the world last fall at the Frankfurt Auto Show, that is, on our continent. However, the United States announced the main market for the Swedish sedan. With an annual production volume of 70 thousand cars, a third will be sold behind the ocean. For comparison: in Sweden they plan to sell 5, and in the UK and Germany, 4 thousand younger sedans Volvo. What kind of discrimination, what did mother Europe guilty so?
It turns out that she was not guilty, but waited for a modification that is in great demand. A little later, in December, at the Motor Show in Bologna, the Volvo V50 wagon made their debut. The main market for this car will be the old light. Want to compare the numbers? The planned annual sales volume of 74 thousand cars, of which 15 thousand should be sold in Germany, 10 in Sweden, 8 in the UK.
Favorite child in the family Despite different indices in the designation, the new magpies and fifty belong to one family. They have a common platform, a single style of exterior and interior, the same gamma of engines and gearboxes. The main difference between one model and another, of course, the body type. Add to a 46 mm extended high stern to the S40 sedan, provide for the fifth door, add vertical combined lanterns, and you will see V50. The rest of the little things that only connoisseurs will notice: the station wagon received a different radiator grille, rectangular fog lights instead of round, slightly lighter shade facing headlights.
Nevertheless, this car has a special charm or, if you want, a branded line inherent only to Volvo. Which year of the Swedish company’s models have the following feature: regardless of what modification appeared earlier, it seems that the sedans were made of station wagons, and not vice versa. A pair of S40 and V50 is no exception to be very modified in Scandinavians cars with a wagon body.
Diesel for the West No matter how convenient, modern, attractive outwardly the new Volvo is, only gasoline engines can not conquer Europe with only gasoline engines. In most countries, they prefer not only practical bodies, but also economical motors, that is, diesel engines. Therefore, part of the V50 station wagons will be equipped with a 136-horsepower D4204T unit with a volume of 2 liters. A new turbodiesel with an aluminum cylinder block, a Garrett compressor and a second-generation Common Roil Compan for the joint development of Ford and Peugeot-Sitro groups. Volvo modernized the motor taking into account its own requirements for handling, noise and passive safety.
It was possible to evaluate the efforts of three eminent firms during an introductory trip. Indeed, in the cabin surprisingly quiet in most modes of movement. What power unit under the hood, mainly the digometer digiter tells. And it's not only about sound comfort. A turbodiesel in an alliance with a new mechanical six -speed gearbox (it contains two main pairs of 4.07 for IIV and 2.85 for VVI transmission of such a curious device we will devote separate material) has an almost gasoline character. The station wagon pleased with the dynamic, almost athletic temperament during acceleration on the highway and in the city, high cruising speed on the highway, a solid traction margin during the assault on mountain passes. In addition, it should be noted low fuel consumption and its moderate price. The disadvantages of a specific modification are the same as the rest of the V50 universals and S40 sedans (ZR, 2004, No. 2), the inconvenience of planting and upholstery of the rear passengers, not the best review through external rear-view mirrors.
The future of a diesel station wagon is almost cloudlessly expected by such a high demand that half (!) The V50 implemented in Europe will have to be equipped with an D4204T engine.
Transmission for the East Unfortunately, for a number of objective and subjective reasons, our compatriots are cool to diesel modifications. Moreover, the statistics of sales of senior models Volvo once again confirmed the sympathy of Russians to all -wheel drive versions V70 sold not as briskly as created on its Volvo V70XS/›V70XS base.
So, now in the compact class there is a representative worthy of attention in Eastern Europe. Under the hood of the station wagon V50 T5 AWD, inaccurate gasoline five with low -pressure turbocharged. The working volume is 2.5 liters, power 220 liters. with. Gearbox six -speed mechanics from sports versions R or five -speed adaptive machine. Several options for the interior decoration are offered. Among them: under a tree, under aluminum and high-tech with elements made of transparent plastic.
But, of course, the highlight of this station wagon is an all -wheel drive transmission. A reliable, developed design of a similar scheme is used on other Volvo 4x4. The following differences between the V50 T5 AWD and other modifications of the station wagon are more rigid reptile stability stabilizers and altered shock absorbers settings. By the way, this car cannot be equipped with a sports chassis with reduced road clearance, which is offered to order for other V50 versions. For Russian conditions, this is more a dignity than a disadvantage.
In general, Volvo liked all the leaders. On dry asphalt, it is almost no different from a monotive. Exception is a sharp start. It is not possible to achieve a prolonged slip of the front wheels immediately pick up the rear. Thus, the transmission with an electronically controlled coupling Haldex helps to realize the potential of a powerful engine. But on the country road, the situation is ambiguous. Perfectly even volvo plots allows you to take a famously, but it is worthwhile to appear even small by Russian standards of pardins, as it becomes clearly the suspension does not cope, it is necessary to slow down and roll with extremely carefully.
However, these are only the first impressions. As soon as the car will appear in Russia, its features and so far so far winter abilities are the reason for a new meeting.
Paul de Vois, director of Marketing and Trade Operations Volvo Kars oversiz*
The Volvo V50 will have to compete with such prestigious brands as Audi (Models A3, A4), BMW (3rd series), Alfa Romeo (147th model), as well as Mercedes.
Our first and main advantage the car has all the inherent brand of Volvo qualities, the main of which is security. In the V50 model, the latest materials, technologies and all experience accumulated by higher class machines and multiplied by today's capabilities are used.
As for my personal impressions, I really like that a compact -looking car provides a lot of space sitting both in front and behind, and the large trunk is ready to accommodate all the necessary luggage. The V50 has an expressive exterior with characteristic shoulders that give him a muscular and reliable appearance. The original central console is remembered inside. The V50 can be equipped with an all -wheel drive transmission, which increases the cross -country ability and stability of the car with a difficult coating. This reflects modern trends and will like those who would like to have a car of increased opportunities, but not a real all -around.
For the Russian market, we offer cars equipped with five -cylinder engines with a volume of 2 and 2.4 liters. While we will have to refrain from sales of diesel versions due to the low quality of the fuel sold in Russia: it can cause the failure of modern engines, and we do not want to create problems for the owners of Volvo.
*The oversize zone includes Russia, the Baltic countries, Eastern Europe, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Arab countries, Turkey, Israel, Africa and all of South America.
Vadim Kryuchkov
Photo: Vadim Kryuchkov, Vladimir Solovyov
A source: The magazine "Driving"
