VOLVO V50 test drive since 2007
Universal Soldier
It ensures security, it is fast and is able to carry a large cargo - the Volvo V50 car
And it’s right that the Swedes did not ask the Swedes a banal question - why the station wagon now has the V50 index, and not the V40, as it was before. It was worth driving on two versions of a car of some 500 kilometers, and it became obvious - despite the external resemblance to the new generation sedan (AI No. 23 (46), 2003), the station wagon may well claim the status of an independent model. If only because it behaves differently on the road, has a powerful all -wheel drive modification of T5 and has the latest diesel engine. Not to mention functionality. In other words, the V50 has its own path and its own audience. Similar to the face, different - inside
S40 and V50 are twins if you look at them in front. It is difficult to distinguish one car from another, although a trained eye will notice a chrome radiator grille with vertically located strips on the V50. Here is a different thing - in such an perspective, a new station wagon (it is 46 mm longer than a sedan) is more like his older brother - V70. It only looks, in my opinion, more muscular, sports. The most remarkable in his appearance is, of course, food. Huge lights are almost completely occupied by the side racks, stretching from the bumper to the roof. In their lower part, they look exactly the same as on the S40, but an expressive continuation turns them into an original and important element of exterior design. In general, the appearance of the V50 leaves a very pleasant impression.
One could say that the interior V50 is a copy of the S40 salon, if not for one detail. But what a detail! The central console is transparent, like a tear of a baby, and under it streams of wires, terminals - in a word, High -Tech. Which resembles fashionable and very expensive Swiss watches-skeletons. This execution of the ICEDAQUA salon is called. In addition, the V50 may not have a familiar ignition lock: the Keyless Drive system is offered as an option. In this case, a special keychain serves as a pass into the car, and the starting or stopping of the engine is carried out using a lever on a torpedo. But the main thing in the station wagon, of course, is the luggage compartment. And in this regard, the V50 will not disappoint: its volume at the standard position of the seats is 417 liters. Fold one half of the sofa - get 717 liters, add the second one - at your disposal will be a covered cargo platform with a volume of 1307 liters. Moreover, it is the platform that the floor will be absolutely even.
As for the driver's workplace, then everything is in perfect order: the seat provides comfort, and the range of its adjustments is huge. It was impossible not to pay attention to the materials of the finish - a special, pleasant to the touch fabric in combination with leather inserts. This makes the cabin more fun and, in addition, the finish is in a spanning functional: it can be washed, there will be no divorces. Such a decoration is standard only for the most powerful version of the T5 AWD, which I got the first.
Sport-universal
The English word Sportwagon is better than others, the top versions of the V50 T5 are suitable. This is the first relatively compact VOLVO car to receive a branded system of all -wheel drive. Involuntarily comparing his capabilities with the sedan - and the S40 test passed along the same route - I came to the conclusion that the V50 is even more sports. And definitely - even safer, because it demonstrates much better stability on the turns. One turn, the other, the third speed is higher, and I already know for sure that on this arc at the wheel of the sedan I would have to fight with gliding, and the V50 only grinned slightly with rubber. And, especially pleasant, the settings of the steering seemed to me even more clear. I would not talk about their truly sports severity, but everything is in order with a feedback on the steering wheel, it is quite easy to control the car. Clothing transmission deserves separate words. On the V50 it has the same scheme as on the XC90, Crosscountry, S80. Twisting the moment, depending on the situation, is freely walking between the front and rear wheels. With a neutral movement of 100% of the power, it is transmitted to the front wheels, but it is worth starting with a light slip, how the rear ones will connect. Moreover, at what moment and how much torque (sorry for the involuntary tautology) is it on a particular axis - it is almost impossible to determine, much less it is impossible. All this can provoke a sharp change in the character of the car, which I and my colleagues wrote more than once. And play a bad joke with an unprepared driver. But what is surprising: in the V50 version, all the nuances of the behavior of the machine with such a drive system are perceived differently, easier. It is worth starting demolition, you immediately feel that the power has gone back. You slightly discard the gas, and the car quite briskly narrows the trajectory. A typical front -wheel drive reaction, except more clearly expressed. The main thing is not to lose the gas too sharply, especially on slippery coating, otherwise the skidding is inevitable. It is worth getting used to the V50, which is not at all difficult to do, and you begin to get real pleasure from the ligaments of the turns. When, carefully manipulating the steering wheel and a pedal of the accelerator, smoothly wandering between demolition and drift, you pass the turns more beautifully. It should be noted that the branded DSTC stabilization system, which is standard equipment of all versions of V50, is always ready for battle.
As for excellent handling, it is largely facilitated by the best losing weight in comparison with the sedan. The station wagon is heavier, and the Haldex clutch is installed right in front of the rear wheels. The sensations do not spoil the enlarged clearance compared to front -wheel drive versions. As if compensating for this drawback, Volvo engineers supplied the V50 T5 AWD with a thicker reptile stabilizer and somewhat changed suspension settings. As a result, the fossa and unevenness of the canvas do not annoy, and the rolls of the body in the bends are not at all large. The 6-speed mechanical gearbox, which is standardly installed on the V50 T5 AWD, deserves the most flattering reviews. The move of the lever is clear and short. And the clutch pedal is quite informative. In addition, the characteristics of the turbocharged motor are such that for fast driving it is not at all necessary to maintain turns above 3-4 thousand. Starting from 2000 rpm, turbocharges are turned on, which guarantees confident acceleration. As for the brakes, so they are fully consistent with the dynamic potential of the machine.
Having snapped the nerves, I got to the place of dinner and noticed that for 240 km I burned almost two -thirds of the tank - yes, the appetite of the T5 was not weak. However, I rode extremely uneconomically.
Diesel fuel - also food
The reader may think that, moving from T5 to diesel version V50, I was disappointed. Not at all! The motor, I’ll say right away, was a success: despite a modest volume of two liters and a power of 136 liters. S., he gives out a huge torque - 320 Nm. Please note - the same as the same T5 has. The new engine is the Ford and PSA PEUGEOT CITROENRA FROWER FROM, and in the very near future it will appear on a huge number of models of two companies. Which is not surprising, since the proportion of cars with diesel power plants in Europe grows like yeast. For example, marketers of the Swedish company predict that 50% of all V50 will have under the hood a motor operating in diesel fuel. I think that in Russia such machines will be in increasing demand over time.
Be that as it may, diesel gives the V50 quite decent dynamics. The 6-speed manual gearbox, which is standard equipment for this version of the station wagon, more than compensates for a shortage of power. If you are not lazy, and go from one step to the other in time, you can go very quickly - the main thing is to support the tachometer arrow in the range from 2 to 4 thousand rpm. True, with active switching, you especially notice that the adhesion pedal in the diesel version is noticeably tougher. But, perhaps, it should be so. Of course, it is impossible to pass turns at the same speed as on T5 AWD. Brows - more, the suspension - a little softer, and the steering is more cotton. However, for a comfortable, and most importantly, the economical movement of the V50 with a diesel engine is quite suitable. At the same time, the silence in the cabin and the absence of any vibrations are pleased.
Everything for the young
Volvo V50 - safe, quite powerful, functional and comfortable - was created with an eye, primarily for young families. It gives a brilliant opportunity to solve three problems to the newly minted head of the family. Firstly, demonstrate care for the home, tired of filling the trunk with all kinds of utensils. Secondly, to show that for a beloved wife and a child it is not a pity to spend money on comfort and safety. Finally, thirdly, in his free time from family obligations, the time to rush with the breeze. How much such a universal soldier will cost with us will become known in April when sales of the V50 will begin on the Russian market. Andrey Osipov
Brief technical characteristics of Volvo V50
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 1998 (turbodiesel)/ 2521 (turbo)
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4/4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 136/4000: 220/5000
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 320/2000: 320/1500-4800
Acceleration to 100 km /h, p.: 9.6 /6.9 (7.3)
Maximum speed, km /h: 210 /240 (235)
Average fuel consumption l./ 100 km.: 5.7/ 8.8 (9.5)
Fuel tank volume, l.: 55 /62
Dimensions, mm.: 4514x1770x1452
In brackets are given data for the version with automatic transmission
