The all-new Volvo S40

(Philstar.com)

May 26, 2004 - 12:00am

"More people are considering smaller cars. But when it comes to premium car buyers there is one important catch. They don’t compromise. Meaning that they might go smaller, but they don’t want less. The package must still include large-car properties; design, driving pleasure, comfort, technology, and of course in a Volvo, large-car safety. So the designers and engineers behind the all-new Volvo S40 faced a tough challenge: Take the core properties from the 4.82 metre Volvo S80 and squeeze them into the 4.47 metre all-new S40 — a car that actually is 48 millimetres shorter than the current S40! This is the story about what they came up with."

Hans-Olov Olsson

President and CEO, Volvo Car Corporation
The Ultimate Design Icon Of The All-New Volvo S40
The exterior of the all-new Volvo S40 is an evolution of Volvo’s modern body design, while the interior is something of a revolution. The most distinctive new feature is the unique, super-slim free-floating centre stack that elegantly links together the tunnel console with the instrument panel. This is an entirely new solution in the car industry, specially developed for the new Volvo S40 and previewed recently in the Volvo VCC (Versatility Concept Car).

The controls in the new centre stack have an ergonomic and functional design. Most are used for several functions, in a logical and convenient way. The top half of the control panel is used to operate the audio system and the integrated phone, while the lower half controls the climate system. Behind the centre stack there is a practical storage compartment for personal items, easily accessible from both sides.
Shorter, Wider And Taller
The new Volvo S40 is shorter, but at the same time wider and taller, than its predecessor, creating more interior space. The bonnet is short and there is a pronounced cab-forward profile.

Viewed from above, the body resembles the shape of a boat hull, with a rounded prow, a broad midship section and a narrowing stern. Together with the broad shoulders, this hull shape forges a compact and athletic stance, and it also contributes to the car’s excellent aerodynamics.

The track and wheelbase have been extended, virtually putting a wheel at each corner. This contributes to the sporty appearance and gives the car stable on-the-road behaviour. The long wheelbase also makes it possible to fit conveniently wide rear doors.

The doors of the Volvo S40 are convex in profile, unlike the concave shape of the doors on the larger Volvo models. This convex curvature reinforces the compact appearance and enhances the cabin’s width.
New, Patented Frontal Structure With Several Crumple Zones
The all-new Volvo S40 is a compact car with extremely high safety levels — both protective and preventive. Volvo’s intention was to reach the same high safety level as in the large Volvo models.

The frontal body structure of the Volvo S40 is divided into several zones, each with a different task in the deformation process. The outer zones are responsible for most of the deformation. The closer the collision forces get to the passenger compartment, the less the materials used deform. The intention is that the passenger compartment should remain intact in most collisions.

In order to give each zone the relevant properties, different grades of steel are used in different areas. Four different steel grades are used. In addition to conventional bodywork steel, three different grades of high-strength steel are employed: High Strength Steel, Extra High Strength Steel and Ultra High Strength Steel.

The zonal system enables the collision forces to be absorbed in a highly ingenious and effective manner.

In Manila, Viking Cars, Incorporated is the official distributor of Volvo cars. The Volvo Makati office, showroom and Aftersales Service Center are located at 2272 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City while Volvo Ortigas Center is located at 88 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The 2004 Volvo automobile line includes the sporty S60, the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the versatile V70 wagon and rugged Cross Country, the compact S40 and V40 models and the all-new XC90 AWD. For details and inquiries, please call 893-6621 to 22 (Makati Showroom) or 637-0414 to 15 (Ortigas Showroom).

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