VOLVO V50 test drive since 2007
Logical
Nostalgia at times when the word Volvo was synonymous with conservatism and sedate reliability, unfamiliar to those who forgot when the last time went on the tram. Once again, the Volvo V50 T5 rewrites history. If two cars were put in front of me, the new S40 and V50, and said: choose a gift, - I would definitely choose the station wagon. And not because I love such a body. First of all, due to the fact that the V50 looks more catchy on the road. This can still be said that the little S60. The station wagon is an independent car.
WHO'S THERE? And inside - all the same as in the S40. More than a spacious salon for the halls, the revolutionary front panel, the location of the governing organs similar to the sedan. Although, no - on the torpedo, under the driver’s right hand, there is a large switch resembling the handle of the domestic gas stove, only more licked. Around it, Roman numbers are applied to the metal ring-yeah, here it is, the mother of the Key-Yess system. That's what I thoughtfully turned the key in the morning, on which there was no familiar metal sting, and thought about whether it was worthwhile to frankly lick the Mercedes in an immortal solution ... However, everything else liked: the quality of the finish, and materials, and, most importantly, the steering wheel. For which it is not just convenient, but even pleasant to hold on: to the best of the thick, moderately soft and buttons are all in their places and in the case-cruise control and an audio system. The only claim to Volvo, as always, is the adjustment of the driver's seat. If you have long legs, then the longitudinal adjustment is not enough and the driver feels cramped. In an ordinary sedan you can endure and sit down, but in a car with a sportwagon prefix this annoys.
On the panel. Most of all, the Swedes are proud of the central panel, which, as it were, hangs in the air, leaning the lower edge on the tunnel of the gearbox. Only the lazy did not write about this designer find. Undoubtedly, beautiful. But the practicality of such a solution is controversial. During the entire trip to the mountains of Costa del Sol, I tried to sequentially store a mobile phone, cigarettes, and a lighter there. Only cigarettes took root. Because in order to put your hand behind the panel, you have to make some acrobatic effort and temporarily take your eyes off the road. In addition, on steep serpentines, the phone jumped out of the niche several times and flew under my feet-it is not the most pleasant lesson to get it from under the pedal block. Then we were told that in the very near future there would be accessories that are specially made to store things behind the panel - these are glasses, boxes for disks and just plastic cases. Perhaps the right decision, but you will have to pay separate money for it. 
All keys on the central panel are assembled in a heap. Whether this is dictated by technology or aesthetics - it does not matter. More importantly, it is not very convenient to poke in the keys - I never got a day in a day. The phone panel is most annoyed - to dial a long number and not distracted from the road is almost impossible. The only way out is to use memory and a quick set, but sometimes you need to dial a new number! We managed to use a widely advertised IDIS system, which cuts off unnecessary information in critical minutes (sharp braking, steep turns, etc.). The impression is peculiar: the built -in phone really turns off, even if it is abruptly working with a steering wheel. From the point of view of security - excellent. With the practical one, judge for yourself: in the conditions of a torn city ride, you will not be able to talk normally for more than thirty seconds. So the absence of such a system in the Russian configuration, believe me, is not the biggest grief.
Fifty for courage. About the V50 Swedes do not say a station wagon, but a sports station wagon. And the point is not so much in the appearance of the car as in its capabilities. The gamut of gasoline engines for the fifty still begins with a motor with a capacity of 140 hp. 2.4 liters. There is also a turbocharged diesel with a capacity of 136 hp, but it is not so relevant for us. A modification T5 with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine of 220 hp. And all-wheel drive-the top model of the universals of the fifty series. The main bet is on it. This car goes amazingly. We simply shocked the Spaniards who are distinguished by racing excitement on the road. Being in the power of obsolete stereotypes-well, they don’t ride so on Volvo-the locals entered a stupor when they were easily circled on the highway by a swift silver universal car. The flow in Spain moves along the New Mediterranean highway 340 at a speed of 130--140 km/h. We are,
without straining, they lay on the asphalt at 150. Only the side wind delivered discomfort: the car is small and not very heavy and strong impulses from the sea characteristic of these places. But the speed is not felt at all - as if you are going on a heavy representative limousine. The acceleration is light and even: that from scratch to hundreds, from hundreds - and to the point. A little cotton governance was not a surprise - this is a distinctive feature of almost all all -wheel drive Volvo. Well, you need to be able to forgive small sins. The curve will take out. But what pleasure I received, pursuing on the mountainous two-lane serpentine of the Spanish pijon on ... say, by a car of a competing company. His car was good, and the driver seemed to know the place, but he rode, poor fellow, on the front drive, and I - on the full. And with each turn the road felt calmer. He seemed to be glad to tear himself away, but inhibits, you know, on a bend. I chose a trajectory in a wide arc, gathered with the spirit and - the pedal to the floor. Volvo protester screeched with tires and evenly, as for rails, a turn at a decent speed passed. Alas, soon the driver was punished for his dashing.
It is a pity that at the beginning of the route I did not look at the fuel sensor. Because to the intermediate finish of gasoline in the tank remained on the bottom - the light did not burn yet, but the arrow lay at the first red mark. The computer said that in this mode, gasoline will be enough for me for 170 kilometers. And there was all 250 to the hotel. I had to very nervously look for a dressing in the mountains. Sports and business. In total, Volvo plans to produce about 75 thousand such station wagons. They will sell them in Europe-the golf class does not are in demand in such a beloved Swedes (after all, what success was XC90!) The American market. According to initial estimates, 15 thousand cars will eat Germany, 10 thousand.
patriotic Swedes will acquire. 20-25 thousand falls on England, Italy and Holland. And there the rest will be dispersed ... As for the prospects of the new Volvo V50 in our market, I personally have doubts. In the past, 5 thousand Volvo were sold a very productive year for the brand. Universals among them are only 500 pieces. That is, one tenth of all sales. And the forties in the old body sold even less - a little over a hundred. So the station wagon will hardly do the weather in our market, even if he was a super sportsman. But the Russian buyer finally has a choice-and it pleases.
Text Nikolay Kachurin, photo of the author
Volvo V50 T5 AWD
5-cylinder gasoline engine, low pressure turbine
Working volume (cubic cub) 2521
Power (L.S. at about/min) 220 at 5000
Moment (Nm at rpm) 320 at 1500-4800
The drive is complete
Gearbox 5-speed automatic
Length/width/height (mm) 4514/1770/1452
Wheel base (mm) 2640
Equipped mass (kg) 1425
Maximum speed (km/h) 235
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 7.3
Fuel consumption (medium, l/100 km) 9.5
The price in Moscow from $ 42.8 thousand.
A source: "Autopilot"
