Test drive Volvo S40 2004 - 2007 sedan

Earn by spending

The cheapest Volvo, which can be purchased from an official dealer today, is a 1.8 liter of 125 hp. Is it worth considering this option or does it make sense to pay a little and take the car more powerful?
 
Stylish, beautiful, dynamic and safe Volvo S40 for a long time was a car for the elect. More precisely, for rich. Most likely, this is why there are few such cars on our roads. However, with the advent of the new engine under the hood, 1.8 will probably change. Thanks to this engine, the car has become cheaper, in addition, the owner of such a machine will less painfully transfer the fuel crisis, which is clearly around the corner. By the way, this factor makes an increasing number of buyers of new cars consider options with a moderate motor volume.
 
Before proceeding to test races, let us inform the uninitiated about the features of the car configuration. As expected, the S40 in the basic equipment with a low -volume engine does not shine with special bells and whistles. Nevertheless, everything that may be needed is here.

 
First of all, we note 6 eirbegs and the system of protecting the front passengers from the impact of the back - what kind of volvo without it! In addition, the car is equipped with a standard security system with alarm and volume sensors in the cabin, electric windows and electroregies of mirrors, as well as washer washers (to be honest, wipers cope with this task better).
 
From the components of comfort, the S40 will offer a system of air conditioning, front chairs with two heating modes and the Performance audio system. Adjusting the seats, of course, manual. But this is in the database. Everything else that the car that we took for the test has is options, thanks to which the cost of the car increased to $ 34,000. Of course, everything that is crammed with this copy makes life more beautiful, but we were mostly interested in the engine.
 
With a capacity of 125 horses today you will not hit anyone. But during the time that the car was at our disposal, I did not have to complain about the weakness of the motor. Contrary to our concern, the car was dynamic. It took 11 seconds to accelerate to 100 km/h. The maximum speed did not upset. On a kopeckoy, of course, you don’t drive for a long time, but if necessary, S40 is capable of it.
 
But what is somewhat upsetting in the motor is its insolvenly at low speeds, which especially annoys at starting in the hill. You release the brake pedal, transfer your leg to the gas, release the clutch and the car practically stalls due to the belated review of the pedaling and a small moment. So you have to recall such moments as they taught to move in the hill with a parking brake.
 
Not everything is in order and with the clutch. No matter how we tried, but smoothly switch from the first to the second without an approving nod of the passenger, it does not work. You need to either hold the clutch, or slightly twist the motor, which, alas, is not for the benefit of the car.
 
But the fact that the car in the city is content with 10 liters of fuel, and it eats almost half on the highway, you and your household will like it. After all, the money saved is the money earned.
 
Technical characteristics of Volvo S40
 
Equipped mass, kg - 1355
Dimensions, mm:
- length - 4468
- Width - 1770
- Height - 1452
Base, mm - 2640
Trunk volume, l - 404
Maximum speed, km/h - 10.9
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s - 200
Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km:
- City cycle - 9.8
- Zagorod - 5.7
- mixed - 7.2
Fuel tank volume, L - 62
Engine:
- Type - in order, 4 cylinder
- working volume, cm3 - 1798
- Power, L.S. at MIN -1 - 125/6000
- torque, NM at min -1 - 165/4000
Transmission - mechanical., 5 -speed
Tire size - 205/55R16
Wheel suspension (front and rear) - independent
Brakes (front/rear) - disk., Ventil./Disk.
Steering - gear -rake, with gur
Price (specific car), $ - 33,000
 
Text: Oleg Kalaushin
 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [06/2005]