Volvo S40

The Volvo S40, V40 and V50 are compact executive cars produced by Volvo Cars. There have been two generations, the first launched in 1995 and the second one in 2004. The latter is listed by Forbes as one of the best luxury cars for young affluent drivers.[1] It is also the most popular car among women in the luxury segment in the US market according to J.D. Power and Associates.[2]

First generation (1995–2004)

In the summer of 1995 Volvo released the S40 saloon (sedan) and V40 estate (station wagon). They were built in the Netherlands at the NedCar factory, a pre-Ford joint venture between Volvo and Mitsubishi Motors. It was based on a common platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma, but the Japanese version did not sell as well in Europe.

In 2001 the 40 Series went through a facelift ("Phase II"), and a number of technical improvements were simultaneously introduced, such as improved engine management, direct (diesel) fuel injection, extra safety features, larger brake discs, new front suspension and steering, revised rear suspension, larger tires and a slight widening of the track width.

The 40 Series cars were equipped with four-cylinder engines, such as a 1.9 L diesel or 1.6, 1.8,1.9T , or 2.0-litre fuel-injected gasoline engines, with low (2.0T) and high (T4) pressure turbo variants at the top of the motor range. The 1.9-litre was the only engine available in North America.

In the UK trim levels were base, SE and CD.

The Volvo S40 was the first car to earn four stars in Euro-NCAP.

Second generation (2004–present)

For the station wagon version, see Volvo V50

Introduced in the middle of the 2004 model year, the second generation S40 (known as the 2004.5 Volvo S40) introduced a new design based on the Volvo P1 platform built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium. At the same time, the V40 was replaced by the V50 estate, also based on the P1 platform and built in Ghent. The S40 was nominated for the World Car of the Year award for 2005 and won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Sport Compact award for 2005. It has also been elected the South African Car of the Year for 2005 by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.