English
Italian
This Is Why The Volvo XC40 Should Be Your Next Car
PREVIEW – VOLVO XC40
YOUR NEXT CAR
Words and photos by Alessandro Marrone
2018 is already an amazing year for the Swedish company, with the press launch of the XC40. Actually it would be more correct to broaden the argument, since Volvo keeps going through an exceptional journey that has revolutionized its range with clean lines and innovation as its current workhorse. The same goes hand in hand with what has always distinguished it, technology and on board safety. We were invited to the Volvo Studio in Milan, an elegant atelier where new and old customers can go for a coffee, spec their Volvo and live in close contact with an exponentially growing family.
The XC40 is not a small-scale XC60 or XC90, but a completely different car. Currently available with the D4 engine (2.0 4-cylinder diesel 190hp) and T5 (2.0 4-cylinder petrol 247hp), the offer will be enriched later with other options, including a new 1.5 3-cylinder petrol. Small on the outside but spacious on the inside, designed especially for those who literally live the car and therefore with plenty of space for storage compartments and ingenious solutions in the cargo area. Five comfortable seats and attention to detail that distinguishes the bigger sisters make the XC40 a perfect environment in which facing the Milan traffic heading east to the location chosen for lunch. Along the way I can’t but appreciate once again the precision of the sat-nav and the infotainment system, shared with the other models of the house, while the 8-speed automatic transmission is precise and can also be used with the lever, moving it right to go up, or left to downshift a gear. With the T5 R-Design sportiness becomes more pronounced, not only for a more detailed aesthetics and large 20-inch wheels (21 are also available), but for the leather and alcantara seats and the paddles behind the steering, which give you more vivid feedbacks once at the wheel. 4 driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Dynamic and Off-Road, which obviously vary steering, throttle and gearbox response, as much as they lower or raise the suspension.
The XC40 is an urban SUV, but thanks to the elasticity of its engine there is no place that can put it in trouble, also thanks to the excellent visibility and the many aids for the driver. Two aspects on which Volvo focuses a lot are finally the ability to monitor the status of the car and share its use remotely by providing a code for a person that you can delegate from time to time without needing the key – a very practical idea which denotes how the Swedish company is constantly looking at the future. Finally, the Care by Volvo service, which has already achieved excellent results and will also be extended to the business area, representing a new way of using the vehicle. No down payment and a monthly fee for 24 months, which also covers expenses such as insurance, stamp duty and tire change, with the possibility of buying the car after two years or give it back to the dealer. The XC40 has a young look, but it is really suitable for everyone and now we want one at the office for a more in-depth test drive in order to tell you why it could be your next car.
Related tags to article
