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Aug 28, 2003 – Volvo has released the first details of its new compact saloon, the Volvo S40, ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. With obvious design cues from Volvo’s larger S60 and S80 saloon models, the S40 takes a step forward with unique proportions, and a modern interior design using themes from the recent VCC concept car.
"With the new Volvo S40, we offer our customers large car benefits in a premium, compact format. This, combined with an exciting design and exceptional road manners, makes the new Volvo S40 a highly potent challenger in this emerging premium compact segment," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Hans-Olov Olsson.
Expanding the brand appeal and increasing desirability is an important part of Volvo Cars’ strategy, so it is important that this model attracts younger buyers. "We want to attract people into the Volvo family as early as possible, and the new Volvo S40 will definitely appeal to younger customers," comments Hans-Olov Olsson.
The interior features an ultra-slim centre console that appears to be free-floating, creating extra storage space behind it, and an aura of Scandinavian style and space. "The centre console is a unique design icon for the new Volvo S40," says Henrik Otto, Design Director at Volvo Cars.
According tho Volvo the S40 will have class-leading ride and handling. There is a choice of five-cylinder petrol engines, with a 220 bhp T5 model topping the range, as well as a four-cylinder, 136 bhp turbodiesel.
The Volvo S40 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. Production starts in late 2003, with the first models on sale in late February, 2004. The S40 is based on a platform shared with the next-generation Ford Focus , and is the first in a new range of compact models developed by Volvo sharing common technology. Next in line is the Volvo V50, a premium, compact sportswagon that will follow in spring 2004.
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