Friday. September 22. 2000 - North Shore News - 27

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NEWS photo Julie Iverson

THE 2001 Volvo S40 sedan is Volvo's newest, smallest, cheapest car. Starting
at $29,995 and topping out in the nigh $30,006 range, the S40 offers impres-
sive performance from its relatively small 1.9-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder
- engine and standard five-speed automatic transmission. The S40's stylish,
well-equipped, compact interior includes inflatable curtain “head” airbags,
side airbags, and dual-stage front airbags. Test drive the $40 at Volvo of North
Vancouver, 710 Marine Drive.

INTRODUCED in
August, the Volvo S40
sedan and V40 wagon
are Volvo's new entry-
level models.

Starting at $29,995 and
topping out in the high 30's,
the $40/V40 are relatively
affordable in the “near luxu-
ry” class, particularly when
you consider their high level
of standard equipment.

However, the S40 sedan
is comparatively small in size
when compared with other
entry-level lusury cars —

and though its turbocharged
four-cylinder engine is no
slouch, the S40 is noc avail-

engine, a competitive disad-
vantage when you consider
that most compact luxury
cars now offer a standard six
cylinder engine.

The S40 may well com-
pete with some four-cylinder
“non-luxury” cars such as
the VW Passat, Honda
Accord and Subaru Legacy.

The V40 wagon is unique
in the entry-level juxury cat-
egory and [ll be devoting a
separate Test-Drive report
for the wagon at a later date.

Introduced first in 1995
The $40 and V40 were
first introduced in Europe in
1995. They came to the U.S.

in 1999, and to Canada in
2000. Why it took so long
to bring this car to Canada is
a mystery, but European car-
makers often take one or two

vears to get cars over to this
side of the Adlantic. Four
however, seems like an
sive delay.

Fortunately, the S40 is
such a well-designed car that
it is still very contemporary
in both appearance and dri-
veability. In addition, some
updates have been made to
the S40 since its initial intro-
duction. For 2001, ride and
handling have been
improved with new softer
shocks and springs, revised
suspension geometry, a
slightly longer wheelbase, a
wider track and higher pro-
file tires. Also, 2001 models
include new Inflatable
Curtain airbags and dual-
stage front airbags.

Small, bur powerful engine
Though the $40"s stan-

dard 1.9-litre DOHC 16-

valve four-cylinder light-

pressure turbocharged

enuine is small in this class, it

Kft

138

At A Glance
eset

“Though the S40’s standard 1. 9-litre four-cyl inder turbocharged engine is

smail in this class, it bas plenty of power for the size and weight of this car:
160 horsepower at 5,200 x.p.m. pulling a curb weight of 1,295 kg. Zero to
100 kin/h takes only 8.5 seconds.”

Sit

has plenty of power for the
size and weight of this car:
160 horsepower at 5,200
npn. pulling a curb weight
of 1,295 kg. Zero to 100
km/h takes only 8.5 see-
onds. Turbo boost kicks in
around 2,000 r.p.m., so after
an initial lag, power comes
on strong for things like lane
changing in city traffic,
merging onto the freeway, or
high-speed passing

On the highway, the S40
is very quiet and comfortable
with the engine doing just
2,200 rp.m. at 100 km/h.
But while the $40's engine is
quict and smooth while
cruising, it emits some minor
vibrations while idling and
under low-speed accelera-
tion.

Fuel consumption aver-
ages 9.2 litres per 100 kilo-
metres (31 n.p.g.), a thrifty
figure for a ‘luxury’ car, and

See Shifts pane 30

2001 Volvo $40

Price as tested
Base price
Freight
Type
Layout
Engine
16 valves

$31,545
$29,995
$550
four-door, five-passenger compact sedan
transverse front engine/front-wheel-drive
1.9-litre four-cylinder, turbocharged, DOHC,

Horsepower 160 @ 5,200 r.p.m.
Torque 177 ft.-lb. @ 1,800-4,500 r.p.m.
Transmission five-speed automatic with Winter mode
Curb weight 1,295 kg (2,855 Ib.)
Wheelbase 2.562 m (101.0 in.)
Length 4.541 m (178 in.)
Width 1.716 m (67.6 in.)
Height 1.422 m (56.0 in.)
Trunk 471 litres (13.2 cu. ft.)
Fuel consumption Combined 9.2 1/100 km (31 m.p.g.}
Warranty four years/80.000 km

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