First Look: 2013 Volvo V40

News I By Brandon Turkus I March 05, 2012

Press days for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show start tomorrow, but that hasn’t stopped a steady trickle of information on some of the new cars set to debut in Switzerland. One such car is the new Volvo V40.

When the V40 arrives in dealers, it’ll be set to do battle with the Audi A3 and the Euro-only BMW 1-Series hatch. There aren’t a lot of specifics, but we do know that it will have a diesel option, as well as the turbocharged five-cylinder from the C30. It’s that turbo five-pot that most interests us, as it packs 254 horsepower and can scoot the V40 to 62 miles per hour in under seven seconds. That isn’t blistering, but it’s more than adequate for a five-door hatchback. For economy, all engines will also use start-stop technology, and regenerative brakes.

Being a Volvo, the V40 is also packed full of active and passive safety features. One of the big focuses is on pedestrian safety, with the V40 offering the first airbag for passerby. It also features a pedestrian detection system that can automagically stop the car if there’s someone in front of it.

Volvo is targeting sales of 90,000 units per year, with the overwhelming majority of models going to Europe. As of right now, there is no word on if the V40 will be sold in North America. Production begins in Belgium in May. The Volvo V40 will make its official debut at tomorrow’s Geneva Motor Show.

Please scroll down for the official press release from Volvo.

Volvo Car Corporation presents the all-new Volvo V40:

Scandinavian luxury look and feel with class-leading safety and driving dynamics

Volvo Car Corporation will reveal the all-new Volvo V40 at a press conference at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 6.

The all-new V40 is ready to overtake the competition in the Premium Hatchback class with sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos wrapped in a sleek, compact package.

"The all-new V40 is the first new model that is fully developed according to our human-centric, Designed Around You strategy. Charged with an outstanding set of high-tech features it definitely will give our toughest competitors a headache," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

The all-new Volvo V40 is a modern, expressive car with a Scandinavian luxury look and feel, a high-quality aura and meticulous attention to detail. The new, fully graphic instrument cluster with personalised layout and information enhances the intuitive and uncomplicated driver experience.

"Thanks to input from customers all over the world our most compact V-range model features an outstanding blend of design, safety and versatility. The car is loaded with features that buyers of modern luxury cars want," explains Stefan Jacoby.

Class-leading driving dynamics

The all-new V40 boasts class-leading driving dynamics thanks to focused attention to a number of vital areas. The chassis is designed to offer the agile, connected experience that creates true driving pleasure.

The engine range spans everything from Volvo Car Corporation’s first diesel with CO2 emissions of just 94 g/km to the turbocharged T5 petrol engine with 254 hp and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. All engine versions feature start-stop and braking energy regeneration, no matter whether they are fitted with a manual or automatic gearbox.

"The all-new V40 wraps you in a super-comfortable cockpit with outstanding ergonomics and technology that make you feel informed, focused and relaxed. This driver-centric approach is what modern Volvos are all about," says Stefan Jacoby.

Outstanding safety and support package

The all-new Volvo V40 features a class-leading safety and driver support package, including Volvo Car Corporation’s groundbreaking Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake and several other new features.

Among the new features are a world-first pedestrian airbag, Lane Keeping Aid with haptic auto steering, and an ingenious Park Assist Pilot that makes parallel parking easy.

The City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system has been further developed and it now operates at speeds up to 50 km/h.

"The all-new V40 is the most intelligent and safe Volvo model so far. All its features are designed around the driver, helping him or her stay alert and well informed to avoid collisions and dangerous situations," says Håkan Abrahamsson, Vehicle Line Director C Cars & V40 Vehicle Programme Manager.

He adds:

"With this class-leading safety package, including enhanced focus on pedestrian protection, the all-new V40 aims for a full star rating in the new, sharpened 2012 Euro NCAP safety tests."

Sales target 90,000 units

Volvo Car Corporation expects to sell 90,000 units per year of the all-new Volvo V40. A massive 85 percent of the total volume will go to European customers.

The car will be revealed at a press conference at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. Production of the all-new Volvo V40 starts in May 2012. The car will be built in Volvo Car Corporation’s plant in Ghent, Belgium.

"The all-new V40 makes an instant impression with a dramatic design that stands out from the crowd. And what you see is what you get. The car boasts sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos – wrapped in a sleek, compact package. The car also has so many new features that it has an exceptional "density". It has pretty much everything," says Håkan Abrahamsson.

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