The score for the automotive industry is currently being rewritten. Alternative drives as well as networked and digitized vehicles should help to reach your destination in a more environmentally friendly, efficient and safe way. The Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo is already heading in the right direction and in future only wants to offer cars that are at least also equipped with electric drive. The new Volvo XC 40 will now start with combustion engines, but from 2019 it will initially be powered by a 48-volt mild hybrid drive, then as a plug-in hybrid, and by 2020 at the latest as the first all-electric Volvo.
First intersection brake assist in this vehicle class
The new CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) kit, on which Volvo's smallest SUV is built, clears the way for the installation of numerous infotainment, driver assistance and safety systems from the larger series. The standard safety features of the XC 40 include helpful assistants, which intervene in the event of imminent collisions with oncoming traffic, prevent unintended lane departure by steering and braking interventions, and avoid collisions with other vehicles, people and wildlife. For the first time in this vehicle class comes in the small five-door a crossing brake assistant used to avert collisions when turning left at junctions. Volvo is breaking new ground in its smallest SUV with the Pilot Assistant System, which allows semi-autonomous driving up to 130 km / h.
The “little” Swede looks beefier than his brothers
Visually, the XC 40, which is 26 centimeters shorter than the XC 60, interpreted the current design language of Sweden in its own way. The distinctive grill is the first time Volvo arched inside. He looks tall and stands tall, the full-LED headlights with the much-sung "Thor's Hammer" motif protrude far into the fenders. The kid looks beefier than the big brothers and is on a big foot: He starts in the equipment lines Momentum and R-Design on 18-inch wheels. Even 20 inches are possible. If you like, with a painted in a contrasting color of the roof in white or black and matching exterior mirrors on individuality and conspicuous.
The small Sweden flag peeps out of the hood gap
A similar effect is the small Swedish flag made of rubber, which flashes out of the bonnet gap like a trademark from a women's panties and attracts to the pull. Inside reminds a lot of the XC 60 or the XC 90, but with less high-quality materials. Due to the price, the Swedes use plastic instead of precious woods. The familiar nine-inch touchscreen is also standard on board as the 12,3-inch display for the instruments. The smartphone charges inductively in front of the gearshift lever, which does not require a ground glass ornament. There is plenty of room for passengers, their luggage fits on 460 to 1336 liters of volume loosely behind the electrically swinging and swinging tailgate.
The three-cylinder with front-wheel drive will start with a tolerable 31 euros
At the start in Germany, Volvo is equal to the top models, the T5 AWD (247 PS) and the D4 AWD (190), both equipped with the buttery and fast sorting eight-speed automatic transmission, plenty of torque and the sophisticated all-wheel drive. The prices are ambitious with 46.100 Euro for the T5 and 44.800 Euro for the D4. With the 154-PS three-cylinder gasoline engine, manual transmission and front-wheel drive, it starts at more compatible 31.350 Euro. He could then play the first fiddle, if one leaves the fingers of too much extras.
Text and photos: Solveig Grewe (interior manufacturer)