Test drive Volvo S40 2000 - 2004 sedan
Small business
A car for a businessman - the concept is so individual that it is impossible to say exactly which model is suitable for this role. And the most difficult thing is businessmen of the middle hand, because you need to choose a car to taste, but at the same time such that he really looks like a businessman, and not just an expensive version of a middle -class car. However, there are still reliable brands, any of the models of which is suitable for the role of a car for a businessman, if only because cheap models are not released at all. One of these, now few brands is Volvo, and the model that we want to talk about is S40.Of course, the S40 novelty is not, and for a long time, but formally the reason for our test was the restyling of the model, during which the forty family received some changes both in appearance and in the mechanical filling. And although the restyling was last year, the first updated cars, and this version can be distinguished from the previous S40 according to transparent headlights and a changed form of bumpers, first appeared on our market.
So, the new Volvo S40. Outwardly, of course, the car is simply impeccable - a stylish and recognizable appearance, strict body lines. Honestly, the S40 is one of the few cars that look more expensive than they really are. True, here the image of the model is affected not only by the absence of cheaper models in the range, but also the price, which until now was relatively high. And if most classmates claim mainly for the role of a family vehicle, then the Volvo S40 is definitely not from this breed. According to proprietary policy, all modifications of this model are considered primarily as the main competitors with prestigious compact sedans, such as the BMW of the third series and Mercedes C-class. And there are many reasons from the prestige of the Volvo brand itself to the reference reliability and high level of car safety of this brand. Moreover, like competitors, S40 has prestigious T4 sports versions, produced in the form of a sedan or station wagon.
I already had to ride the Volvo S40, however, then it was a prerestyling version with a 1.9-liter turbodiesel and a mechanical gearbox. I liked the car very much, and the only thing that embarrassed was the high price - twenty thousand dollars per car of this class, even a very prestigious and well -packed, in my opinion, is a bit too much.
Now, we have been on the test another modification - with a 1.8 -liter gasoline engine and an automatic checkpoint, which has quite good equipment. By phrase good equipment, I understand the following: a steering column adjustable in height, a airbag plus aircraft plus two side and curtains, alarm with a DS, an electronic distribution of brake force, electric windows, a central castle, immobilizer, heated electric mirrors, a protection system from protection from protection from Wraps (Whips) and much more. Moreover, I ask you to notice that almost all this is proposed as standard equipment, that is, you do not have to pay anything.
This is where the most interesting begins. The price of the new Volvo S40 in the basic configuration and with a 1.6 -liter engine - a little more than thirteen thousand! A version with a 1.8 -liter power unit and an automatic transmission is a little more expensive - $ 15.400, but still, given the equipment, relatively inexpensive. But both outside and inside the Volvo S40 looks very prestigious, the quality of materials used in the design of the materials, as well as the quality of execution, are simply impeccable, which, however, is not surprising for Volvo. But the most important thing, in my opinion, is that despite the use of a common platform with Mitsubishi Carizma, the Volovites turned out to be completely different, from habits and ending with the feelings of driving. And this is important, because in recent years, Volvo in advertising its models focuses on the drivership of their cars.
To some extent, S40 can be attributed to the Driver Car, although any other model of this company would have approached the experienced driver more, it is best with the icon of T. Actually this is not this good, excellent suspension and acute steering allow you to subtly feel the car that , in turn, just provokes a little breeze. A small herd of 122 horses confidently pulls a relatively light car, although the machine, probably, is not particularly needed here, at least in combination with this engine. The dynamics is completely not striking, moreover, it is extremely difficult to achieve some dynamic overclocking, especially when a sharp acceleration is required from medium speed, for example, for rebuilding in the city. Even with the gas pedal in the floor, this S40 is a rather mediocre dragster, and the only excuse is small consumption of fuel and silence in the cabin at high speeds. You can, of course, try to work with a checkpoint selector by handing a manually changing gear, but still a temperamental driver would prefer a version with mechanics. However, perhaps it just seems to me after a hurricane S60 with a turbocharged engine, which I tested literally half an hour before the dough.
According to the company, everything looks quite decent - 11.5 seconds from a place up to hundreds and a maximum speed, which is almost 200 km/h. This is more than enough, especially for women who, as statistics show, are the main buyers of cars of this class with an automatic gearbox.
Conclusion: Volvo S40 is one of the brightest representatives of their class, while possessing almost the highest renome in this sector. At the same time, along with a stylish appearance and rich in equipment, the buyer receives another, much more valuable bonus - the highest level of security, and after all, Volvo cars have always been famous. As you can see, the proposal is very attractive, especially since the price has recently, as they say, is very interesting.
Subjective opinion:
(+) Pleasant and expensive appearance, low price, stylish interior, thoughtful ergonomics of the salon.
(-) a harsh suspension, sharp shifts of the checkpoint, average sound insulation.
Text: Pavel Kozlovsky
