Test drive Volvo S40 2004 - 2007 sedan

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Volvo S40 1,8 sedan is hardly able to disappoint the owner
 
I am outraged! Conditioning phrase - well, you are chasing! - From my immediate superior I hear with a captivating regularity. Okay, when it comes to some charged car, and here is a good -natured S40, and even with an engine of only 1.8 liters. In the end, this is unfair! - I say. And I hear: and you look at the speedometer, and keep in mind that we are in the center of Moscow, and not in the autobahn. Hmm, and really
 
In the Swedish style
 
I hope that our regular reader will recall the Volvo S40 report from the official test drive, which was published at the end of 2003 (AI No. 23 (46), 2003). But then the versions with a 125-horsepower gasoline engine did not exist, so there is a good reason to refresh the impressions of the model.
 
Yes, the appearance of the S40 has since gone to become familiar, but the original Volvo design and now arouses interest. They pay attention to the car, and those who climb into the salon, as a rule, do not want to get out of there. That's why he and the Swedish minimalism in order to be able to organize a workplace correctly in a small space. So, despite the small overall dimensions and a noticeable thickness of the doors, it is quite spacious on the front seats. By the way, they were created by the famous Swedish designer Arne Jacobson, and therefore although thin, but very convenient in themselves. In addition, a complete set (in the configuration of a test car) of electrical adjustments, moving in height and departure of the steering wheel, allow you to get as quickly as possible.
 
There is a armrest between the front seats, under which a small compartment is hidden. The niche is even behind the central console, which remains to this day, perhaps the most original of what I have seen: it is a rather thin strip connected to a torpedo in the upper part and smoothly flowing into a tunnel dividing the driver and passenger. On the console there are many buttons and four round lever. Bright and clear icons help to understand the purpose of everyone, and small ledges do not allow you to confuse the buttons when pressing. The two upper levers allow you to control the audio system (there are duplicate buttons on the steering wheel), two lower ones with a climatic installation, which can create a different microclimate for the driver and passenger. The audio system sounds good, for which you should say special thanks to Alpine specialists. On the same panel there are the menu buttons of the on -board computer, which provides the driver with the opportunity to adjust some parameters of the car for himself. For example, to choose whether to close the doors at the start, or leave the near light of the headlights on for a certain time in the dark after the engine stopping and getting out of the machine. A little below - the handle of the gearbox, the cigarette lighter and the disconnect button for the branded DSTC stabilization system.
 
The only thing in the interior, which was made, of course, with taste, seemed strange to me was the location of the ignition lock. For some reason, it is not in the usual place, but in the immediate vicinity of the instrument panel. Well, you will not find any special delights in the shield itself. And yet, in general, the salon makes a very pleasant impression. Its undeniable advantages should also include the space for the legs of the rear passengers and the ability to fold the rear seats in both whole and parts. With the help of a simple operation, you can increase the volume of the luggage compartment, which is already not small - 404 liters. Related as a narrow opening through which the luggage will have to be called.
 
In general, the interior of the car as a whole creates a feeling of comfort. There are no screaming elements, which, in the end, gives rise to thought in your head - it is on such a machine that you can drive every day.
 
Small volume - great opportunities
 
Looking at the speedometer, I stopped indignant: somehow, imperceptibly, the car scored one hundred and more kilometers per hour. That is, it turns out that a 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 1.8 liters and a capacity of 125 hp. It is in such a way that you do not feel damage in dynamics. But you immediately understand what the system of changes in the phases of gas distribution means. Already from the start under the right foot there is a good supply of power. True, the engine demonstrates the greatest return after 3,500 rpm, but you can easily maintain such turns - the lever of the 5 -speed mechanical KP has good selectivity. A drop of tar makes only an inaudible connection on the clutch pedal - it has a rather short stroke, and it is not easy to trace the moment of grasping. But you quickly get used to it and stop nervous and passengers with excessive jerks.
 
I want to pay attention to the fact that the salon is quiet, the sound of the motor is heard only at high speeds, which, apparently, was the reason for my indignation. Just involuntarily in search of a familiar pace, I ever twisted the power unit almost to the red zone, which ultimately brought good fruits. In addition, there are practically no complaints for S40 controllability. The rolls of the body are tangible, but not at all critical. The pendants are configured in such a way that with unhurried movement they provide decent comfort, and with aggressive driving they form a clear picture of what is happening with the car. And only not very clear feedback on the steering wheel grieves slightly. Especially because the steering wheel itself is quite sharp. But - we will not be too picky, because in any situations Volvo remains clear and predicted. Plus a effective brake system.
 
The overall impression is good at the wheel. You go quickly - with pleasure, slowly - relax. What else to demand from the sedan for every day?
 
Premium class
 
Volvo S40 1.8 is the most affordable option for a solid Swedish car in the Russian market. The initial price of the car is $ 25,900.
 
From the point of view of positioning, the model is difficult to attribute to one of the existing classes-it is more than the usual C-class (Opel Astra, VW Golf), but also to the D-class (VW Passat, Opel Vectra) does not reach a little. The closest S40 is, perhaps, to the Audi A4, Saab 9-3 or BMW 3 series, not only in overall sizes, but also in other qualities that quite correspond to the Premium segment. And therefore, the choice here always depends on the individual preferences of the future owner. I dare to say only one thing - Volvo S40 with a 1.8 engine, let not the fastest, but also unable to disappoint its owner.
 
Text: Andrey Osipov
 
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 10 (78), 2005]