At long last, Volvo has grasped the nettle and, using its independent engine manufacturing capabilities, the Swedish-based company has unveiled its enticing new three-cylinder units. Always in its long-term plan, the wonderful modular engine that allows Volvo to add (or remove) components, including cylinders, lends itself perfectly to a small capacity option.
Part of the Volvo Drive-E engine family, the T3 petrol-turbo unit is ideally suited to the XC40's role as a nimble, efficient and urban-friendly vehicle. Its compact, 1.5-litre, direct-injection displacement develops a healthy 156bhp (at 5,000rpm) and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. For fans of automatics, an eight-speed option will be introduced at a later date.
It is a punchy unit, with 195lbs ft of torque available between 1,850 and 3,850rpm. This is enough to support a towing capacity of up to 1.6-tonnes of braked trailer. However, it is also strident enough to enable excellent acceleration for an entry-level petrol engine, with 0-60mph capable of being dispatched in 9.1s. Under the new WTLP/RDE economy and emissions test cycles, an XC40 equipped by the new engine will attain up to 45.6mpg (Official Combined), while emitting a modest 144g/km CO2.
However, Volvo has taken the opportunity to expand its offering by factoring-in both the well-proven 2.0-litre, four-cylinder T4 petrol and D3 turbo-diesel engines. The 190bhp T4 version comes with all-wheel-drive and automatic transmission as standard, while the 150bhp D3 unit offers either manual, or automatic options, the latter with the added choice of front- or all-wheel-drive. The established 247bhp T5 petrol and 190bhp D4 diesel complete the engine line-up, both with all-wheel-drive and auto-boxes.
The XC40 is the ideal recipient of the new T3 unit, as it demonstrates Volvo's commitment to innovative engineering and technology that prioritises compact packaging, without compromising performance and efficiency. Together with the other powertrain additions to the line-up, Volvo now has a comprehensive model offering that meets consumer demands more comprehensively. The XC40 range also offers a full spectrum of equipment grades: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription, each with an optional 'Pro' upgrade. The demand across Volvo’s expanding world market has been such that Volvo is ramping-up production to meet it squarely.
The standard equipment featured on Momentum models reflects Volvo's progressive connectivity, entertainment and safety innovations, with features such as the Sensus 9.0-inch touchscreen control for multiple on-board functions and easy smartphone connectivity, sat-nav, auto-on LED headlights, with active full beam, 18.0-inch alloy wheels and a dual-zone climate control system that monitors and maintains cabin air quality. The Volvo On Call remote control and emergency assistance service is also provided as standard, together with keyless start, rear parking sensors, cruise control, auto-on windscreen wipers and integrated roof rails.
R-Design models are distinguished by exterior detailing, such as Black Stone roof panel and door mirrors, high-gloss black grille, front and rear skid plates, roof rails and window frames, dark-tinted rear windows, integrated dual tailpipes and alloy wheels with a striking diamond-cut and matt-black finish. The sporty theme is continued within the car, with R-Design tread-plates, black headlining, sports pedals and a perforated leather wrapping for the steering wheel and gear-knob. Equipment features include leather and Nubuck upholstery, front seat cushion extensions and LED front fog-lights. The R-Design also gets more dynamic suspension settings than other XC40s, including stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll bars and faster-reaction rear shock absorbers.
The Inscription specification builds on the Momentum grade with contemporary luxury items that include ‘driftwood’ cabin inlays, leather-faced upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, ambient door and instrument panel lighting, and a powered tailgate. An Orrefors crystal glass inset adds a special quality to the gearshift lever on automatic variants. Front parking sensors, matt-silver skid plates and chrome grille inserts are also part of the package.
The Pro versions of each grade introduce additional comfort and convenience elements, including heated front seats, larger-diameter wheels (on R-Design Pro and Inscription Pro models), active bending headlights, LED front fog-lights, with cornering function, and a heated windscreen.
A wide range of option and accessory packs, at extra costs obviously, are available for customers to personalise their XC40s. All models are available with the Intellisafe Pro pack, which includes Volvo's pioneering ‘Pilot Assist’ driver-aid system, which is semi-autonomous but upgradable, when both law and technology enable it. It provides steering, braking and acceleration control to help keep the car within its lane and at a set speed, or a safe distance, from any vehicle ahead.
The full XC40 range now extends to 38 different combinations of engines, equipment grades and transmissions. It is on sale now, with on-the-road prices ranging from £27,610 for the T3 Momentum manual, to £37,620 for the T5 Inscription Pro automatic, before FCD discounts are taken into account, through our preferred partnership deal with Volvo. We shall be testing the new engines in early October, at which time Volvo will also announce that the smaller capacity units will find homes beneath the bonnets of the latest V60 and V40 models. You will be brought fully up-to-date around that time.
Not that much market pushing is required, as Volvo is enjoying the results of its concerted campaign to ensure that nobody will fall victim to accidents involving its cars, some two years ahead of its 2020 stated target, the Chinese-funded but Swedish, US and Chinese-based manufacturer is forging ahead in great style. Producing some of the best looking and most appealing models of the past few years, Volvo’s sales trajectory is verging on meteoric. There is plenty to like and marvel at in any of its latest models and the recently launched V60 seems to be cornering ‘traditional estate car’ customers at an unprecedented rate.
