Volvo v40 specifications ground clearance. Test drive Subaru XV vs Volvo V40 Cross Country: are they SUVs or sport hatchies? Updated appearance

International premiere of Volvo V40 all-road hatchback with attachment Cross Country was officially held as part of the Paris Motor Show in September 2012 and was unexpected, because the public expected to watch the XC40 crossover from the Swedish manufacturer.

In March 2016, the five-door will appear at the Geneva Motor Show in an updated look with a tweaked "face", an expanded list of available equipment and a slightly improved interior.

Five-door body Volvo V40 Cross Country is dressed in a stylish and expressive design, and its differences from the usual "forty" are reduced only to a slightly increased ground clearance, plastic linings on the bumpers and sills and standard 17-inch rims.

In length "raised" hatchback has 4370 mm, which fits the 2646-mm wheelbase, in width - 1783 mm, in height - 1458 mm. The clearance under the bottom of the equipped vehicle is set at 144 mm.

Inside, the Volvo V40 Cross Country copies the standard model: beautiful and modern styling, noble finishing materials and premium performance. The front seats in the "off-road" hatchback are comfortable, with a well-developed profile, but the rear sofa, despite the layout hospitable for two passengers, does not differ in excess free space.

Cargo capacity is not strong point"Raised" Volvo V40 - its volume varies from 335 to 1032 liters. But the positive points in the "hold" piggy bank are brought by the ideal shape, high-quality finish and "dokatka" placed under the double floor.

Specifications. On Russian market The Volvo V40 Cross Country is available with a choice of four engines, exclusively automatic transmissions and standard front-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive technology is also available for the "top" versions with a fifth generation Haldex multi-plate clutch, which connects the rear axle wheels if necessary.

• The gasoline part of the "off-road" Volvo V40 is presented in three versions - T3, T4 and T5:
  • The initial version is equipped with a 1.5-liter "four" with turbocharging and direct power supply, giving out 152 "horses" at 5000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque limit at 1700-4000 rpm and working jumper with a 6-speed "automatic".
  • The intermediate version is a 2.0-liter unit with a turbocharger and direct injection technology, which has 190 Horse power at 5000 rpm and 320 Nm of torque at 1500-4000 rpm.
  • The "top" modification is equipped with the same engine, but with double supercharging, as a result of which it generates 245 "mares" at 5500 rpm and 350 Nm at 1500-4800 rpm. Both motors mate with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but only for the "senior" version is available only four-wheel drive, and for the "younger" also the front.

Gasoline "forty" show good driving characteristics: from a standstill to 100 km / h, they "shoot" in 6.1-8.5 seconds, and the maximum gain is 210 km / h. Their passport fuel consumption ranges from 5.6 to 6.4 liters per combined “hundred” of run.

• The diesel version of the D2 is the lowest-powered in the Volvo V40 Cross Country line - under its hood is a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbo, producing 120 horsepower at 3750 rpm and 280 Nm of peak torque at 1500-2250 rpm.
  In partnership with it, a 6-speed automatic transmission appears, which allows the car to change 190 km / h, leaving behind the first "hundred" in 10.6 seconds, and consume no more than 3.9 liters of fuel in a combined driving cycle.

Structurally Cross version Country almost completely repeats base model: front-wheel drive architecture Ford C1 with independent chassis "in a circle" (front MacPherson strut and rear "multi-link"), electric power steering and brake discs on four wheels, supplemented by ventilation on the front axle.
The differences between the "off-road" hatchback are only in different calibrations of springs and passive shock absorbers, as well as a body raised by 12 mm.

Options and prices. Volvo dealers in Russia offer the V40 Cross Country in Summum, Momentum and Ocean Race trim levels starting at RUB 1,309,000.
Already in the "base" the car has: ABS, ESP, seven airbags, dual-zone "climate", rear parking sensors, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, premium audio system, leather interior, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and other modern "gadgets".

Everything around, except people, is becoming smarter and more functional. We are used to shifting our worries to technology, and engineers spend countless man-hours to make their devices and mechanisms more versatile and smarter. This trend is fully true in the world of cars: cars are overgrown with chips and gadgets, with the help of which the driver will soon have to turn only the radio volume knob in the cabin. New crossover The Volvo V40 Cross Country is one of those - it promises to deliver anywhere with complete relaxation and almost on autopilot.

To do this, you just need to order a car with a configuration close to the maximum. With a starting price of 1,189,000 rubles for a front-wheel drive 180-horsepower car, our test device costs almost twice as much: 2,179,999. Although I calculated that almost 300,000 options could be "painlessly" thrown out of this top-end car - so that the overall impression of her will hardly change. And the base V40 Cross Country with all-wheel drive and the same 213-horsepower engine as ours costs from 1,279,000 rubles. Not a bad proposition, but how will the V40 Cross Country be in business?

The Volvo V40 Cross Country attracts maximum attention on the road. From every second car, an interested glance, every two days, inquiries in the parking lot. Yes, and Volvo representatives say that the new product has caused quite a stir among customers, and a solid line has already lined up for it.

It is immediately striking that this car has a lot of original and beautiful parts, both outside and inside. The artists did their best to erase the retirement image of the brand from the minds of buyers. Double exhaust pipes, swift embossed sidewalls, a daring spoiler, an impudent hood, chrome roof rails. What is there to continue - look at the photos! The interior is also cool: the center console hovers in the air (although this solution is not new), the interior is illuminated from all sides, and the tidy is almost more interactive than the notorious iPad. Is it hard to find a neatly hidden CD-ROM drive slot? Here it is, at the junction of the gray and silver panels of the center console!

But there are also miscalculations, and they concern, first of all, the space in the cabin. The front seats are set high, and even with my height of 176 cm, the headroom with the seat down is minimal. If you are a little taller and do not like to sit on the floor, then get ready to meet the crown of the head with the eyeglass case and headliner located above the driver's door. Perhaps the problem can be partially solved by abandoning the luxurious panoramic roof for 33,000 rubles. Another miscalculation with the driver's seat is the massive step of the "podium", on which the front seat skids are installed. It is impossible to change the position by bending the left leg under it.

Layout problems continue to surface when familiarizing with the back row. The sofa itself is comfortable and equipped with a cool cup holder in the middle of the pillow, a comfortable armrest, and folding headrests. But in order to enjoy all this, you must first get there. This is where the difficulties begin: the opening of the rear doors is too narrow, and there is very little room for rear passengers. And when you get out of the car, beautiful silver door sills (an option for 14,900 rubles, by the way) will gladly stain your trousers.

Fully drawn chameleon tidy is available as part of the City package for 75,200 rubles. A similar solution is gradually becoming fashionable: it can be found, for example, in the executive limousine Jaguar XJ and on some cars of other brands. The "painted hearth" greatly untied the hands of the Volvo creators: you can do almost everything with the instrument cluster as with your smartphone: first, let's change the subject, choosing from the three available. Both the color scheme of devices and their style, as well as their relative position and type of display will change. Want more contrast? Please turn the corresponding menu item. And also there is no trivial window on-board computer: you can abandon it altogether or, with a couple of clicks, enter it into the existing instrument cluster with the display of certain data.

• Where to put a mobile phone in a Volvo showroom? If not in the cup holder, then in the niche near the center console. But the latter, for the sake of design, is made floating, and the shelf is located behind it. Therefore, on the go, the phone cannot be reached. These are safety freaks Volvo - keep your hands on and use Bluetooth!
• Hidden in the glove compartment are usb slots and a 12-volt outlet. But for some reason they forgot to make a slot for the wire - another reason not to use a mobile phone while driving?

We continue to customize the V40 CC for ourselves. Attention is drawn to the soft interior lighting, cleverly hidden everywhere. The lower and upper zones are adjusted separately - you can make it brighter or dimmer. And the mood-creating diode in the overhead console can be painted in any of the colors of the rainbow. After that, the fact that the memory of the electric seat drive has as many as three presets is no longer surprising. But the weighty remote control for music and climate is cool even after everything you've seen. True, you will have to pay a little extra for this beautiful option.

Like everything in this car, the remote control is "designer". The transmission selector knob also pulls on a work of art on a local scale (and at the same time resembles the high-tech joystick of Toyota's Prius). And look at the rear-view mirror - it resembles an expensive thin-frame TV from the latest line of some fashion brand.

The T5 series engine here has five cylinders with a total volume of 2 liters, and the turbocharging provides a return of 213 "horses" and 300 Nm. It looks impressive, but our car also weighs a lot: 1509 kg, and this copy is also additionally packed with everything possible. Let's check if the power is enough for the crossover. For the eyes! It's hard to imagine why there is an option to choose the 249-horsepower 2.5-liter T5 with 350 Nm of thrust. Starting from a standstill is not impressive, but the catch on the move is more than convincing: this off-road vehicle shoots in a straight line no worse than hot hatches, and the passport 7.2 seconds to a hundred will not doubt it! The gearbox here is quite a nimble TF80-SD torque converter automatic from Aisin. It has six gears and is available in sport and manual modes. Both the one and the other are controlled only by the selector on the central tunnel - no steering column levers. It's just a bit of a pity that the V40 Cross Country refuses to brake with the engine at all.

Well, what about the corners? Not everything is going smoothly here. In vain, the engineers did not consider it necessary to bring the electric booster (for a surcharge, it can have three settings of the feedback effort) to the ideal: the steering wheel itself is quite elastic, responsive and rather "short", but in turns the steering wheel is very empty, and the driver's connection with the steered wheels is lost. And it seems that the car is not the one to grumble about this topic, but against the background of excellent acceleration and braking dynamics, this miscalculation is still frustrating. And the suspension here is dense enough to provide good and understandable handling and very slight rolls.

Although the chassis also fails in some ways: from an off-road vehicle you expect a definitely greater overall energy consumption of the suspension! In addition to this, the settings of the front and rear suspension slightly inconsistent: to understand this, you need to slip through a couple of speed bumps. The front wheels, within reason, rigidly take the load, working out the unevenness. But when it comes to the rear, the body jumps out with an unexpected uppercut, followed by a few damped vibrations. The tailgate is very tightly tuned! Therefore, in front of the "sunbeds" behind the wheel of the all-terrain V40 Cross Country, you will brake in the same way as lovers of lowered cars.

But is everything so sad with bad roads? Off-road driving in the Volvo V40 CC is, at first glance, almost an oxymoron. Well, what could be geometry with 145 mm ground clearance and a long front overhang? And the suspension travel, as it turned out at the very beginning of the tests outside the asphalt, is minimal. But not everything is so simple: firstly, the V40 CC is equipped with the latest, fifth generation Haldex all-wheel drive system, and secondly, the car boasts excellent rear end geometry and even the presence of electronics that insure when descending from the mountain. Let's see how it all works!

In the process of crawling, even on light slides, one of the rear wheels hangs out immediately. Get down to business, Haldex 5! But the car stands still and turns the wheel in the air. In order to go further, you need to turn on sport mode operation of the stabilization system (albeit not with one touch - for this you have to dig into the on-board system) and turn up the speed - the electronic imitation of the differential lock will work instantly, and the clutch will instantly distribute the torque, after which the V40 confidently gets out of the ambush. Full diagonal hanging is a little more hassle, but it also doesn't immobilize the car completely.

Based on the results of walking along the snow-covered gullies, the verdict became clear quickly enough: even a decently muddy road is unlikely to become a serious obstacle for the V40 CC's high-tech drive, but you shouldn't go into ruts, slopes and other obstacles that require good geometry: a modest ground clearance and the front bumper, behind which the eye and the eye, very quickly cool your ardor. At the same time, the very modest suspension travels are fully compensated by the skills of a well-tuned all-wheel drive of the latest generation. The Haldex GenV clutch, like its predecessor, distributes torque proactively based on signals from the sensor ground. Design differences are reduced to the fact that the unit has become lighter and more compact due to the use of a special valve in the drive of the clutch pack instead of a solenoid with a separate battery.

By paying for Volvo's auxiliary electronics, the driver gets a cool and useful upgrade to their V40 Cross Country. While we have not yet created a full-fledged autopilot, we can enjoy adaptive cruise controls, circular radars and other car parkers, which also make life a lot easier. A radar in the radiator grille (note the solid plastic area) is responsible for feeling the road in front of the car, while a camera at the top of the windshield monitors markings and signs. All this fraternity of "electronics" carefully watches the environment while driving, but if you prefer not to receive unnecessary advice, then all of them can be deactivated, since there are enough settings.

The camera recognizes well road signs, but you should not rely entirely on her work. In the city, she thinks that we are in Europe, and from somewhere she takes the limit of 50, she misses some signs. But to be honest, it is a sin to scold electronics when you yourself do not always understand how fast it is allowed to drive on our roads. But with the Moscow markings, even sprinkled with snow and mud, the artificial eye copes well. The lane tracking system works adequately and at the same time unobtrusively: vibrations on the steering wheel are not annoying, although sometimes they are confused with irregularities under the wheels.

Another interesting toy is the adaptive cruise control system. Its functionality allows you not only to hold on to the car in front on the track, but also to push in traffic jams at ultra-low speeds. The car itself brakes and accelerates, unless a complete stop has occurred - then you have to get under way with a light touch of the gas pedal or by pressing a button on the steering wheel, after which the V40 Cross Country will independently adjust the speed taking into account the distance to the car in front. The radar works better than you expect, and is quite applicable in the conditions of the metropolitan hustle and bustle. There is only one but: the stock that Volvo leaves in front allows especially impudent drivers "like Moscow" to get in front of you. There is also a system of full automatic braking, but it is better to test it in "laboratory" conditions, which we will definitely do in the near future.

Objectively speaking, the Volvo V40 hatchback, which received a promising Cross attachment Country is not a premiere model. Indeed, even at the Paris Automobile Forum, held in the fall of 2012, the Swedish brand presented it in a similar body format and with the same name.

Small crossover V40 Cross Country 2016-2017 model year received an updated exterior design, an increased list of equipment and some changes in the design of the interior decoration.

It should be noted that externally, the five-door Cross Country hatchback almost completely repeats the V40 in the "standard" version. Only with hotel touches, the designers individualized the appearance of the novelty, slightly raising the car above the road and decorating the body with a plastic body kit. One more hallmark crossover will be it wheel disks size 17 inches.

Design

The expressive design of the car indicates a very specific audience, which the model is intended for in the first place. We are talking about young car enthusiasts who lead an active lifestyle.

The sloping hood with a pair of double stiffening ribs seems to flow into the volumetric grille. The headlamps have a flowing shape and stylish horizontal LED stripes that divide the headlights in half. The arched roofline and boomerang-shaped taillights give the car a sporty and dynamic appearance. The inflated line of the side glazing of the body organically complements the picture.

The length of the crossover is 4,370 mm, its width is 1,783 mm, the height of the V40 Cross Country does not exceed 1,458 mm. The distance between the front and rear axles of the wheels of the new Volvo was 2 646 mm. The ground clearance of the novelty, although declared as "off-road", in practice was only 144 mm. Obviously, with such a clearance, you shouldn't leave asphalt roads.

What's in the salon?

In their own way interior design The Volvo V40 Cross Country is exactly the same as the “regular” V40 model. Modern design, noble finishing materials and impeccable build quality of the interior indicate the premium level of the car.

In addition to stylish design, the interior is distinguished by verified ergonomics and a high level of comfort, which are provided to the driver and passengers. Cozy front seats have developed lateral support, an optimal backrest profile and a good size of pillows. The front panel design is typical of the Swedish brand. Natural leather, polished aluminum and even natural wood were used as finishing materials.

But there are questions with the availability of free space in the second row of seats. Despite the successful and comfortable molding of the sofa, designed for two passengers, people above average height will not be very comfortable here.

Not the strongest point of the presented model is its luggage compartment... The vehicle has a cargo capacity of 335 liters, which can be increased to 1,032 liters by folding down the rear seat backrests. Under the double surface of the trunk floor there was a place for a "dock" and a set of tools.

Having driven a new crossover from Volvo, you pay attention to the almost perfect noise insulation of the cabin - at high speeds you can talk in the cabin without raising your voice, and you can only understand that the car's engine is idling by glancing at the tachometer.

Specifications

For Russian dealers, the Volvo V40 Cross Country versions are intended, equipped with four engine options. By default, the car is equipped with front axle drive; for top-end modifications, an all-wheel drive system is available, which is based on the fifth generation Haldex clutch. In this case, if the front wheels slip, the system will automatically engage the rear axle.

Gasoline engines crossover Volvo V40s include T3, T4 and T5 turbocharged units. The basic version has a volume of 1.5 liters and produces 152 hp. maximum power. The middle version is a 2.0-liter engine with 190 hp, the top-end gasoline engine has the same volume of 2.0 liters and, thanks to the twin turbocharging, is capable of developing up to 245 hp. power.

Even the initial gasoline engine gives the car an excellent "throttle response" and a tangible pickup after pressing the gas pedal when driving at medium speeds.

The least powerful engine is the diesel unit, which is equipped with the V40 Cross Country D2 modifications. This four-cylinder engine develops no more than 120 hp. and does not differ in incendiary dynamics. But the diesel version of Volvo will delight you with its economy. The declared consumption of D2 per 100 km of combined mileage is only 3.9 liters.

Depending on the engine chosen, a 6- or 8-band automatic transmission is offered in a pair.

Of the others technical features crossover, it can be noted the presence of an electric power steering, ventilated disc brakes front axle, as well as fully independent suspension.

Outcome

With the numerous advantages of the model, critics call the insufficient clearance for the crossover, the too compact trunk and the inconvenience of the process of getting on and off the second-row seats as controversial points.

Judging by the price of a compact crossover, its potential buyers should be far from poor people, because 1,399,000 rubles for a front-wheel drive V40 CC is the price of a much more practical Mazda CX-5 also on front-wheel drive. However, Volvo is already a premium product, and against the background of 2 million for the starting Mercedes GLA price V40 is quite modest, so here you can safely add a plus sign to this model.

1969 cm 3

1450

6.4 l / 100 km

1 804 000

The off-road component of the Swedish model is not as strong as that of its closest competitors, the MINI Countryman and Subaru XV. Yes, the list of options for the Volvo V40 Cross Country includes an all-wheel drive transmission, downhill assist, solid-diameter wheels and a protective body kit. But the ground clearance is only 145 mm, and the body overhangs are too big by the standards of crossovers (908 and 816 mm). However, the driver's potential is obvious: the chassis is tuned with an eye on the asphalt, the engines of the Drive-E family are equally productive and economical, and in terms of the number of electronic assistants and proprietary security systems, the car even claims to be the leader in the segment. As for the appearance, it is designed in a win-win Scandinavian style: minimalism, bright design moves and expensive finishing materials.

SMALL YACHT

High sill line, coupe-shaped roof, wheel arch muscles, roof rails and exhaust pipes spaced along the edges of the bumper ...
The V40 Cross Country is like a hot hatchback - the designers have shown forward-thinking, targeting a younger audience. And the recent restyling has added solidity to the Swede: the 2017 model year cars sport a mesh radiator grille, a larger Volvo logo and new Thor's Hammer block headlights - like those of the 90 series cars.

The interior design is in the style of the S60 and XC60. The electronic instrument cluster offers great graphics and advanced functionality. And if desired, the driver can easily customize the "tidy" for himself. You can't find fault with the quality of finishing materials. This is, without exaggeration, a premium level and sophisticated solutions. You can choose both restrained, "Scandinavian" and brighter colors.

The interior of the V40 Cross Country is cozy, but it hasn't done without ergonomic miscalculations. The main complaint is the tightness, and in both rows. The branded "floating" center console conceals the space around the knees of the front riders. At the back, tall passengers will not only squeeze the backs of the first row of seats with their knees, but also run the risk of propping up the ceiling with their heads. Meanwhile, it's nice that the rear sofa can be equipped with heating for a surcharge.

The volume of the trunk also does not break records: only 324 liters, and the opening of the fifth door is narrow and the threshold is high. These are the cons. If we talk about the advantages, then the backs of the rear seats fold in a ratio of 40:60, due to the additional raised floor panel (option), a flat area for luggage is obtained, various devices for attaching bags are provided.

I must say that after the reystaling, the interior of the crossover did not look ultra-modern. The architecture of the center console with a battery of buttons and toggle switches is like a greeting from the past. The five-inch multimedia screen is too small by today's standards. Want a seven-inch display? Order a more expensive multimedia system - with a rear view camera, navigation and better music.

In the arsenal of the Swedish crossover there are assistants informing about road signs and driver fatigue, adaptive cruise control, as well as the City Safety system, which can independently stop the car at speeds up to 50 km / h

Be that as it may, the light touch of retro does not detract from the richness of the electronic filling. At the bottom of the aforementioned console, there are buttons for controlling the rear-view camera, lane control systems, warning of a dangerous approach and a car park. The Swedish crossover's arsenal includes assistants informing about road signs and driver fatigue, adaptive cruise control operating at speeds up to 200 km / h, and the City Safety system, which can independently stop the car at speeds up to 50 km / h and recognize pedestrians. Finally, the proprietary application for Volvo On Call smartphones, after restyling, supports Apple Watch or Android Wear, as well as devices with the Windows 10 operating system.

CHOOSE TO TASTE

There is no mechanical transmission for the Swedish model in our market. The most affordable versions are front-wheel drive. If you want to save money, the buyer can choose a 1.5-liter 152-horsepower gasoline engine in combination with a 6-speed automatic or a 2-liter 120-horsepower diesel engine paired with a 6-speed robot. Both options are optimal not only in terms of price, but also due to a moderate appetite. power units: combined fuel consumption is only 5.6 or 3.9 l / 100 km respectively.

But, whatever one may say, the listed modifications are compromise. The Swede is fully revealed with 2-liter gasoline engines(190 and 245 l. From.). The machine with a 190-horsepower unit is offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Both versions are very interesting in terms of dynamics. The de facto 5-cylinder engine turns the V40 Cross Country into a sports car that allows you to move very briskly and, as is traditional for the Swedish brand, without any nervousness. The six-speed automatic Aisin does not allow for jerks or delays when switching, and the steering wheel with a distinct reaction force adds confidence when maneuvering. However, everything is learned by comparison. A car with a top-end 2-liter 245-horsepower unit is a complete delight. And lightning-fast reactions to gas, and the ability to spurt from both medium and high speeds. At the same time, an all-wheel drive vehicle consumes only 8.5 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle. The operation of the 8-speed automatic is also worthy of compliments. Gears shift smoothly, and in case the driver wants maximum drive, there is a sport mode.

The V40 Cross Country suspension is a double edged sword. On the one hand, the short-stroke chassis allows you to take turns at the highest possible speeds and feel connected to the machine. On the waves of asphalt, the car does not sway and is practically indifferent to rutting. To knock him off the trajectory is not an easy task. On the other hand, there is no question of adapting the suspension to Russian realities. The chassis is frankly stiff. The undercarriage works out holes of any caliber in the most detailed way, so if you go on bumpy roads, passengers, especially the second row, are unlikely to enjoy it.

IMAGE - EVERYTHING!

The off-road potential of the "Swede", as already mentioned, is modest. The increase in ground clearance (relative to the related V40 model) was achieved not by recalibrating the chassis, but by installing larger wheels. Geometric cross-country ability and all-wheel drive based on the fifth generation Haldex clutch will allow you to get to the dacha, but it is better not to meddle on rain-washed dirt roads, and even more difficult off-road terrain: low ground clearance and light suspension “turn on the red light”. In other words, the Volvo V40 Cross Country is a solid sports hatchback with a powerful image component. This is to call a spade a spade.

Now about prices and competitors. Lineup introduction of an entry-level front-wheel drive version with a 1.5-liter 152 hp gasoline unit allowed to keep the price tag at the level of 1,399,000 rubles. For comparison: the Subaru XV model, which is offered only in all-wheel drive, costs at least 1,599,900 (for the version with a 2-liter 150-horsepower gasoline engine and a variator). And for the front-wheel drive MINI Countryman 1.6 AT (122 hp) they ask 1,541,500. As you can see, the price advantage is on the side of the "Swede".

Another argument in favor of the Volvo crossover is the rich basic equipment. Standard complete set The V40 Cross Country 1.5 T3 AT Summum features seven airbags (including a knee airbag for the driver), cruise control, rear sensors parking, dual-zone climate control, electric driver's seat, mirrors and side windows, as well as High Performance "music". At the same time, branded security systems, if you buy them in a package, are quite reasonable money. A G

VOLVO V40 CROSS COUNTRY 2.0

Price from 1 804 000 rub.

Dimensions (Length x Width x Height), mm 4370 × 1783 × 1458 Curb weight, kg 1450 Trunk volume, l 324 Fuel tank volume, l 57

Engine type gasoline L4 Working volume, cubic meters cm 1969 Engine power, h.p. 245 Acceleration time, 0-100 km / h, s 6,1 Maximum speed, km / h 210 Fuel consumption, l / 100 km (mixed) 6.4 l / 100 km

As always, journalists are offered cars in rich trim levels. The black Volvo V40 Cross Country with striking aluminum sills and overhangs at the front and rear is no exception. True, before the top version with a 249-horsepower engine, the two-liter unit of 213 hp I inherited. a little undersized. But the rest was not inferior. In some ways, this is for the better - it is not so gluttonous, taxes are less, and power, and even in conditions of predominantly city driving, is enough for the eyes. After all, whatever one may say, the machine is not the biggest, the same Ford Focus.

I note that the comparison with the Focus is quite appropriate, since the model was being developed at a time when Volvo was part of the friendly family of the Detroit auto giant, and therefore, along with the impeccable Scandinavian design in the Volvo V40 Cross Country, no, no, yes, and healthy American high-tech pragmatism will flash ... However, where the company from Gothenburg has always remained true to itself, it is in an effort to make the car as safe as possible. Unsurprisingly, the Volvo V40, which debuted last year in Geneva, has become the world's first car with a pedestrian airbag, even without an SUV body kit and without the Cross Country in its name. When I spoke with Stefan Inerfeld, the project manager of the V40, I was very saddened by the news that such a humane car would not be sold here.

As the company explained to me, the V40 did not reach Russia due to the expected low demand for compact station wagons, but its more brutal version, with an increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive is finally granted. And I am very pleased that the pedestrian airbag has not been thrown out of the package of options. It is available in Russia and will cost 39 thousand rubles. To what extent philanthropy has not yet extinguished in us, the statistics of sales that are just beginning will show.

But it's time to drive. With all the compactness of the car, the driver, and even very tall, will have enough space in the Volvo V40 Cross Country (however, it should be noted that the seat cushions are short), but those sitting in the back will have to squeeze. This applies to legroom and especially to the head. The three passengers in winter clothes in the back seat were sad to look at. The guys joked optimistically, they say, in cramped quarters, but not in offense, besides, hugging each other - it was warmer. They did not know that the rear seats have triple heating.

That's what a car from Scandinavia means! Increased attention is paid to heating issues. The car also has pre-heating, the web of invisible electric heating threads tightened everything windshield, did not go unnoticed side mirrors and rear door glass. You can start warming up the engine and interior remotely from an iPhone, there is a corresponding free program in the App-applications, you just have to type the word Volvo. You can also control the location of the car and the status of a number of its parameters via a smartphone. But the "smart" car did not submit to completely fashionable gadgets, for example, when insufficient level gasoline in the V40 Cross Country tank will not allow it to be burned all for the sake of heat.

V warm car you can and even need to ride without outerwear. A coat or jacket limits the driver's mobility, but also increases the risk of injury in a speed crash. The Swedes fighting for the safety of the car have proved it. It turns out that the few centimeters that separate the body from the seat belt are enough in a collision to cause serious injury. I remembered this when I saw the speedometer needle that had passed over a hundred. I confess, I did not expect from the Volvo V40 Cross Country such a high-spirited, one-breath acceleration, given the slush and snow under the wheels. That's when all-wheel drive is needed!

As I already said, not all Volvo V40 Cross Country supplied to Russia are equipped with it. Cars with 180 hp four-cylinder engines do not have it. But five-cylinder units 213 and 249 forces - please. The drive is permanent and non-disconnectable. It is not possible to force only one axis to work. There are no crawler gears and handouts. Before the “hundred”, my “black arrow” fired in 7.2 seconds, losing to the older “sister” by some 0.5 seconds. "Hundred" obeys 180-strong version at around 8.7 s, which is also impressive. And there is no talk about Volvo cars and their drivers!

From the first kilometers traveled, you feel the care of the driver. It is especially evident in dense city traffic. Side blind spot indicators in the A-pillars will help prevent inaccurate lane changes. By the way, these electronic devices the cars of prestigious brands today flaunt, first appeared on Volvo 7 years ago on the C30. Adaptive cruise control keeps the distance, up to a stop, from the vehicle in front. And the shaking of the steering wheel will remind you of the involuntary crossing of the marking lines. During maneuvers reverse Volvo V40 Cross Country includes rear camera, you can direct it directly, or you can under the bumper to park more tightly. Moreover, when driving in reverse, the driver does not need to be afraid of vehicles crossing the path. In case of danger, the car will not only warn the driver, but also stop the car. In my opinion, the concern for the driver would be even more gentle if the large display in the center of the dashboard had a tactile screen. And so you have to turn the knob endlessly in search of the desired letter ... The presence of a tactile screen would also simplify the search for the necessary functions hidden under the icons of the buttons scattered on the console and practically unreadable from the driver's seat.

But Volvo V40 Cross Country is able to park itself, "finding" enough space for this in a row of cars parked on the sidewalk. Definitely, this Volvo model is closer than others. production vehicles approached the threshold beyond which human intervention in the management of equipment is not required. This machine is capable of recognizing road signs. During the test, more than once I caught myself thinking that the car would follow the traffic rules more rigorously than myself. In some places, he reinsured himself by putting a speed limit of 20 km / h on the speedometer. And for all that, the Volvo V40 Cross Country is a driver's car, it goes fast, obediently, confidently. The stiff suspension does not add comfort to passengers, but makes it comfortable to control, including during high-speed maneuvering. In harmony with acceleration dynamics and braking dynamics. The brakes have good feedback. I will say the same about steering.

But what I didn’t like was the noisy studded tires (I don’t exclude that insufficient sound insulation may be partly to blame for the sounds penetrating the interior) and a very limited view back through salon mirror... The entire space is covered by three large head restraints that guard the passive safety. The electronics compensate for the limited visibility. It compensates successfully, but we are not yet accustomed to believing it so unconditionally. I see no reason to consider the Volvo V40 Cross Country a crossover. I am not convinced of this by the Cross Country lettering embossed in the lining under the rear bumper. Well, what kind of crossover is it with a ground clearance of 14 cm, albeit equipped with an assistant when descending from the mountain? Yes, well balanced road car with a driver's accent. Expensive, compact, safe.