The Volvo V40 D3 R-Design Nav with More Tech than the Gadget Show
The Volvo arrived and immediately I liked this instant sporty appeal of this car. A bold racy design that inspires curiosity, being a coupé and unusually good looking the V40 with the R-Design spec is becoming quite popular.
As expected in the Volvo V40 D3 R-Design specced model, very smart larger alloy wheels than the standard model and a good looking body kit. The interior is one of the best looking of the bunch and is full of all that you could want, great finishes and refinement throughout. The colour of this car was Inscription Electric Silver a very pleasing metallic mid grey and more interesting than the over used silver in the cars competitors.
With emissions of 114k/gm the green side of the car shines through, combined with very good fuel consumption. A claimed 65.7 mpg combined. However, driving in a hurry I saw a reduction in this, keep it sensible and the car can be driven in a rewarding frugal manner.
The R-Design is equipped with sportier suspension than the other models, slighly firmer, but not too much. The car tested was the 150hp diesel with the six speed manual transmission. Delivering smooth effortless power, the car feels very good to drive and not overly noisy. The six speed gearbox is slick and easy, the car has a decent turn of speed and rewards with a sporty exhaust note which is never overly obtrusive. The suspension is very well controlled with little body roll, steering is well weighted and on a fast road could possibly be slightly sharper but not only a tad.
The dashboard is by far one of the best thought out displays I have seen in a while. Why are there still so many terrible displays on new cars these days, this one is stylish clear and functional and matches the car throughout. Yes, it has a lot going on, but once you sit, take it in and think it through it is very well laid out and user friendly. Everything is clear with clever animated instruments and clear graphics. Some models have changeable themes too, this will only become more popular as unique car personalisation is here to stay.
The interior of the car is a great place to be, the boldness of the look is appealing. I drove over 600 miles the week I had the car. Trips from Berkshire to the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, then with a car full to Bruce Springsteen at Wembley and back via Thunder Road. The keyless ignition and start stop were notable additions to the car reviewed. The start stop functioned very smoothly at all times.
You could say the car is a smooth comfortable cruiser and a grown-up choice, although looking at the V40 drivers on the road Volvo seems to be doing well clinching younger owners and it certainly adds to the selection in this market segment and is one to definitely consider amongst its German rivals. With service intervals at 18000 miles or annually it keeps on going.
The drivers seats are part of the R-Design, very supportive with infinite adjustable, easy to get comfortable in and very good for long journeys. In this car they were finished in Charcoal Nubuck. The entertainment system was very easy to set up and with great sound quality. The heating systems visually once you look at it and understand is easy to operate. The two passengers in the rear commented on the comfort although I could see with taller over six foot people headroom would be reduced. It would still be possible to sit three in the back. I still would rather have the sloping coupé roofline and keep the rear for children and adults on occasions.
The very stylish gear knob and frameless rear view mirror add to the R-design touches a central silver stripe running vertically on the dash with the R-design on the steering wheel all add to the overall look. The boot is narrower than you may expect, although not overly small. It incorporates a folding floor with a multitude of ways of setting up the load space, rear seats can also be folded to create a totally flat loading space.
The car will cost you around the price of a Golf or One series but it still looks good value with the abundance of technology and safety equipment including the Volvo City Safety System with automatic braking and the industry first under bonnet pedestrian airbag. This car has full five star NCAP safety rating. It is easy to spec the car and with a host of extras so choose wisely.
Below are some images of the Volvo Safety Systems available on the V40. Some of them I found vey good, some a little intrusive but at the end of the day, they all worked really well and made longer journeys safer.
[portfolio_slideshow id=24313]Drive Verdict – Only good things, you cant really go wrong with this one.
Tech spec:
Volvo V40 D3 R-Design Nav
Price £24,745 on the road.
The car tested included options of drivers support pack £1850, Park Assist Pilot £850, inscription paintwork £775, power drivers seat £600, winter pack £500 and a few smaller options making the model reviewed £29,750
Max Power: 150 bhp @ 3500rpm
Max Torque: 350 Lb ft@ 1500-2750rpm
Max Speed 130mph
Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 9.1 seconds
Claimed MPG: Urban 53.3, Extra Urban 74.3, Combined 65.7
CO2 Emissions 114g/km
VED Band C VED – Zero Cost first 12 Months then £30
Service intervals – Annually or 18000 miles
NCAP Safety Rating 5
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