Test Drive Volvo V50 since 2007 Universal
Volvo V50.
The Volvo V50 wagon, like the other latest novelties of the Swedish company, is designed to fill the concept of Volvo Driver with a new value: now it is also a family man, but he is young and active. Remember, what were the classic Volvo universals? Monumental, like rock, it is important and leisurely moved along the roads, carrying large families, the heads of which, by virtue of age and status, did not differ in excessive fussiness. These cars gave rise to a whole class of so-called Volvo Drivers - quiet, enjoying the life of the fathers of families who are no longer necessary to ride with wind speed on the highway.
Serious intentions
Representing the new generation of the S40 / V50 family machines, the Swedes frankly pointed to those stamps with which they are going to compete, and one of them is BMW. Could anyone twenty years ago think about it? Hardly. Too different at that time were models of these brands. BMW Already then burned asphalt, and Volvo wonderfully felt in the segment of family and representative cars. Today we are watching the beginning of the most interesting match of two automotive crops: the Scandinavians feel free to challenge those who still recently did not consider them worthy opponents in the segment of sports universal. The Volvo V50 fell a hard share - to become a shock detachment, and, it should be noted, he armed well.
The vehicle design of the front part with the S40 platform is almost no different from the sedan, only the checkered grille of the radiator in accordance with the tradition was replaced by chrome whale whale. The most interesting and difficult for designers was the process of transplanting the luggage compartment into the body of the sedan. To say that it turned out well, it means not to say anything. The silhouette of the universal turned out to be simultaneously light and in the measure of aggressive, lines smooth and clear, and a small break of the rear rack added the originality of the already interesting appearance. This little detail, overwhelming the large rear lights, breaks the former image of Volvo universal. The wagon would not be called so if it did not provide the owner wide possibilities for transformation of the cabin and a large useful area. V50, although it relates to the European class D, however, in terms of space for cargo, it can satisfy the needs of a young family. The trunk in the standard has a volume of 417 liters, and its maximum volume is 1307 l, which is still slightly less than that of the BMW version of the 3rd series.
In ergonomics, there is no change compared to the sedan, there is a small stylistic part, which the Swedes were mentioned on the presentation S40. As if soaring in the air, the central console and door handles are made of matte transparent plastic and are called icedaqua. A water surface of the central console, of course, is not similar, but it is undoubtedly original. There is no traditional key in the ignition lock - it was replaced by a swivel switch, because the car identifies the car by the chip key in his pocket. An interesting component is added to the passive security complex - an IDIS system that tracks the road situation and blocks incoming calls to the built-in mobile phone, if, for example, a sharp braking occurred or the machine has been listed. But this, so to speak, only light weapons. Viking, going on the battlefield, took with me and more serious weapons: in the parking lot in front of the hotel there were awaited cars equipped with gasoline 2,5-liter 220-strong low-pressure turbocharged engines. This motor is already familiar to the fans of the brand, but a real surprise for journalists and the first sensitive blow for competitors was the all-wheel drive transmission installed on the V50.
Shield and sword Speaking that the new car received in addition to a powerful engine all-wheel drive transmission, Volvo managers hardly restrained joy, trying to maintain diplomatic tranquility. But in their eyes it was clear that they were happy. The particle of this happiness was transferred to us, because before all the older models of the company were equipped with all-wheel drive transmissions.
And then there was a cascade of impressions that covers us with a new wave every time leaving the next turn on the mountain roads of Andalusia. Motor T5 with a 6-speed mechanical transmission has a truly lion character. It may seem like a king of animals descended in the sun, grab on top gears, and can begone and splash out a powerful charge of energy, when this will require the situation. Its crashing is enough for the box lever to do a long journey on the gears: you can bring the tachometer arrow to 3,500 rpm and immediately switch to III, and after V or Vi. And at the same time, the car is suspended with a young ambitious driver, the car is powerful and confidently accelerates, proving his belonging to sports universal.
When the V50 is appropriate to the brightened, the maximum torque is transmitted to the front axle and the machine begins to glide smoothly, but the situation does not develop on the front-wheel drive scenario. Haldex Coupling transmits a portion of the torque to the rear wheels, and the V50 retains the trajectory. The same situation is also developing when the rear wheels on the apex turn fall into gravel: the driver has already prepared for active actions, but here the Haldex coupling is entering and stabilizing the universal becomes easier. Feelings are quite interesting. On the one hand, you know that you are driving the Volvo, and when you turn the elastic steering wheel and feel the power of the motor, it starts to seem that this is a car of another brand. But you know what the best in this car? Not only a powerful engine, a clearly operating gearbox and a valid full drive system. The best in V50 is that, regardless of the complexity of the situation, the driver and passengers feel calm. The newest security systems here have nothing to do with it. The ride on the Volvo gives the same feelings as the quiet evening on the sea shore under the noise of the surf. Related relaxation.
The Germans make the driver concentrate and piloting, completely given to this process, and this is their main and indisputable trump card, and the Swedes offered another approach based on traditional qualities for the brand, plus new, truly broader opportunities in dynamics and manageability. After parting with T5 AWD, we moved to version V50 with a 2-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 136 hp, developed by Ford and PSA. It cannot be said that this is the complete opposite of gasoline, on the contrary, the elastic quiet engine behaved very intelligently, confidently spinning and allowing you to almost forget about the existence of the gearbox lever. Here we are with colleagues and caught ourselves to think that being the legendary Volvo Driver is not so bad. We calmly drove, enjoying landscapes, knowing that at any moment we can smoothly and quickly accelerate, without worrying about fuel consumption.
The final Already very soon cars of the S40 / V50 family will appear in Russia. At first, customers will be offered cars with gasoline engines - both T5 and ordinary 2,4-liter power from 140 to 170 hp. Several later will appear cars equipped with 1.8 and 2 l engines, and then, we want to hopefully, a new interesting match will begin in the premium compact universal sector.
Some specific specifications Volvo V50 T5 AWD
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 4514x1770x1452
Base, mm: 2640
Pitch in front / rear, mm: 1535/1531
Diameter of reversal, M: 10.6
Engine type: Low pressure gasoline 5-cylinder (diesel 4-cylinder with turbocharging and COMMON Rail) *
Working volume, cube. CM: 2521 (1998) *
Max. Power, hp / rpm: 220/5000 (136/4000) *
Max. Moment, nm / rpm: 320/1500-4800 (320/2000) *
Transmission: Mechanical 6-speed
Tires: 205/50 R17 (205/55 R16) *
Max. Speed, km / h: 240 (210) *
Access time is 0-100 km, from: 6.9 (9,6) *
Fuel consumption (medium), l / 100 km: 8.8 (5.7) *
Tank volume, l: 62 (55) *
* For diesel version.
Maxim Rakitin
A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"
