Objectively speaking, the Volvo V40 hatchback, which received the promising prefix in the name Cross 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 design format and with the same name.
The 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. Another distinctive feature of the crossover will be its 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. Arched roofline and taillights in the form of boomerangs give the appearance of the car sportiness and dynamics. 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 ground clearance, you shouldn't leave asphalt roads.
What's in the salon?
The interior design of 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 the 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 dashboard 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 in the cabin you can talk without raising your voice, but understand that the car's engine is running on Idling, will only succeed by glancing at the tachometer.
Specifications
For Russian dealers are intended Volvo versions V40 Cross Country, 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.
The petrol engines of the Volvo V40 crossover include turbocharged units T3, T4, and T5 in their list. 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 excellent "throttle response" and a tangible pickup after pressing the gas pedal while driving at medium speeds.
The least powerful engine is the diesel unit, which is equipped with 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.
Other technical features of the crossover include the presence of an electric power steering, ventilated disc brakes on the front axle, as well as a fully independent suspension.
Outcome
With the numerous advantages of the model, critics call insufficient clearance for a crossover, an overly compact trunk and the inconvenience of the process of getting in and out of the second row of seats as controversial points.
Judging by the price of 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 for front wheel drive... However, Volvo is already a premium product, and against the background of 2 million for the starting Mercedes GLA the price of the 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 to asphalt, the Drive-E family motors 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 exterior, 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 added solidity to the Swede: the 2017 model year cars sport a mesh radiator grille, a larger Volvo logo and new headlights "Thor's Hammer" - like the cars of the 90 series.
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 as restrained, "Scandinavian" and brighter colors.
The interior of the V40 Cross Country is cozy, but not 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 panel of the raised floor (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.
The arsenal of the Swedish crossover includes 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, warnings 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 an operating Windows system 10.
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 coupled with a 6-speed robot. Both options are optimal not only in terms of price, but also due to the moderate appetite of the power units: fuel consumption in the combined cycle will be 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 petrol engines (190 and 245 hp). 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. Wherein four-wheel drive vehicle consumes only 8.5 liters per 100 km on 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 cornering at the highest possible speeds and a sense of connection with 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, we are not talking about adapting the suspension to Russian realities. The chassis is frankly stiff. Chassis it works out pits 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 the wheels bigger size... Geometric cross-country ability and all-wheel drive based on the fifth generation Haldex clutch will allow you to get to the dacha, but on dirt-washed primers, and even more so heavy off-road, it is better not to meddle: small ground clearance and passenger 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. The introduction of the initial front-wheel drive version with a 1.5-liter 152-horsepower gasoline unit into the lineup allowed keeping the price tag at the level of 1,399,000 rubles. For comparison: Subaru model XV, which is offered only in all-wheel drive version, costs a minimum of 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 provides seven airbags (including a knee airbag for the driver), cruise control, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, electric driver's seat, mirrors and side windows, and music High Performance. At the same time, branded security systems, if you buy them in a package, cost quite a reasonable price. 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 Volume fuel tank, 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
HaveVolvoholiday - new compact crossoverXC 40 became the Car of the Year in Europe. Moreover, they promise to bring the novelty to Russia now. Dealers rub their hands and prepare for sales, including offering unprecedented discounts on their current mock off-road hatchback V40 Cross Country... Should you fall for Swedish tricks? Let's try to answer together withSubaru Xv, another interesting novelty, actively promoted in the same class and price range.
Why did we not take for the test, for example, Mercedes GLA or newest bmw X2? Just because of the cost - both are at least half a million more expensive. Moreover, it is with these "Germans" that the XC40 will have to compete. In addition, both Volvo and Subaru still have certain nuances with image positioning - if the Swedes are pursuing an active policy of fully introducing the brand into the luxury segment, then Subaru is still between heaven and earth - to the Japanese mass market like how not to be attributed, but it will not work to call it premium.
One way or another, but both fall within the framework of up to two million. And both are in well-equipped versions - with 2.0-liter engines, automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive. The only difference is that the Subaru XV is brand new, and the Volvo V40 CC, produced for the sixth year, has undergone a slight restyling.
The fact that we have a completely new generation XV before us is quite difficult to believe: even specialists have to look for external differences from the previous version with a magnifying glass. Freshness and youth are given by new headlights, a radiator grill and not even new, but slightly newly decorated bumpers. Why is this a new generation? Because the technical stuffing has been completely updated - the platform, the power structure of the body and the engine are new in the car. True, the new ones, so to speak, in Japanese.
The chassis layout has remained the same, the body frame has hardly changed externally - only the technological and component basis is different. The famous FB20 engine received three quarters of new components, including a new cylinder block. The Lineartronic variator has also been redesigned, which has become lighter and received new characteristics that provide greater efficiency and better engine thrust.
Subaru has a bright color scheme for a reason. XV is in steady demand among the beautiful half of humanity. Actually, the Swedish competitor plays in the same field. You rarely see men driving a V40 Cross Country
The Volvo update outside affected only the headlights in general, but how! Now they shine with the trademark "hammer of Thor", so it will not be difficult to distinguish the current version from the pre-reform one. All other changes should be looked for inside, and they relate mainly to the introduction of electronic assistants.
Stylistically, the already attractive Volvo V40 Cross Country does not seek to win the hearts of avid jeepers. Unlike the "lifted" Subaru, the ground clearance of the "Swedes" was left intact. An off-road body kit is nothing more than a fashion accessory, especially when it is not pragmatic black, but, on the contrary, is additionally decorated with silver inserts and diffusers.
Both test takers have grown thanks to a little tweak from conventional hatchbacks: the XV from the five-door Impreza, Volvo from the V40. All-terrain performances instantly ousted their "civil" donors from the market, and XV also disowned itself on behalf of the legendary, but completely lost popularity in Russia model
Bah! Is this really a Subaru interior ?! Probably, I have never been so pleasantly surprised, sitting down in the passenger compartment of the Pleiades Constellation car. Over the years, the critics of the Japanese have heeded the pleas and made the interior decoration able to compete with representatives of the best European schools. The interior is now in leather with elegant stitching and piano lacquer inserts. Combinations of decorative overlays look interesting and stylish, and there are even small decorations on the window regulator buttons. The picture is crowned by the central tower of a large touchscreen multimedia station, which is covered from above by a second display with service readings. All together it looks modern and expensive, but the tactile perception still requires improvement: the applied plastics are harsh and in some places squeak when driving.
The multimedia station exhibits nice graphics with high resolution, good sensitivity and fast responses. The functionality of connecting gadgets is complete. Navigation is based on the system of a well-known company Tom Tom, but, alas, does not know how to show traffic jams and requires getting used to, in particular, to the way of entering the address
Moving from Subaru to Volvo is like stepping back from a modern study to your living room. If the XV's interior is trying to look expensive, then the V40 Cross Country's interior is - the quality of the finishing materials and the overall build level are clearly above Japanese. The leather-like texture of the front panel surpasses other natural ingredients. The moral obsolescence of the interior is compensated for by the ornate Swedish style, the selection of interesting textures and the elegant branded LCD instrument panel. And don't be the center display so small and recessed into the front panel, Volvo interior for more than one year I would please with Scandinavian comfort.
Opinions were divided on convenience. The "Japanese" is definitely more spacious and lighter, the fit is higher, and the ergonomics are clearer and more familiar. Lush chairs are in fact harsh and a little wide.
In a Volvo, landing is like in your sports car. You sit low, but tight and tenacious. In the hands of a plump "steering wheel", small windows around the perimeter, surrounded by dim light from the dark ceiling. Management of secondary functionality requires habit - the specifics of the location of individual buttons and adjustments, as well as the menu on-board computer teaches owners exactly to the Volvo architecture. It takes a while to find the functions you need quickly.
The back is more comfortable in Subaru - and again due to the spaciousness. In the V40, the sofa is, in fact, two separate armchairs, over which a sloping ceiling hangs end-to-end. The amount of additional benefits in both vehicles is the minimum required.
Trunks in both cars are small, especially inSubaru - 310 liters versus 324 yV40 Cross Country, given that both are equipped with "dock". Such family tasks may not be able to cope with. A pair of sports bags or one travel suitcase with a pair of bags is all that will fit here.
Both Subaru and Volvo are equipped with 2.0-liter petrol engines. True, the V40 SS has a head start in the form of a turbocharger, which allows you to remove 190 hp from the engine. with., and in top-end versions - and all 245. XV cannot boast of such power: 150 "horses" and slow 10.6 seconds in acceleration to 100 km / h.
In ordinary life, such indicators are enough: the XV is agile and easy to accelerate thanks to the good return of the motor in the first half of the tachometer and the smooth but agile actions of the variator. It is only necessary to more actively squeeze the air gas pedal, which has a small empty reserve. However, with the increase in speed, the Japanese "horses" have to be ahead of the curve, giving the box an opportunity to get into the peak torque in advance. Theoretically, the gearbox can be spurred on with the paddles on the steering wheel, imitating seven gear shifting, but in reality you quickly abandon this, choosing a more measured pace of movement. The box would definitely benefit from a Sport mode.
Volvo is different in character. The potential of a more powerful engine has a clear limit - about 2000 rpm. Until this moment, the V40 CC does not give out its true characteristics in any way. On the contrary, the tight accelerator and baritone of the T4 engine with diesel notes slow down the driver's urges. But it is worth the drawn tachometer arrow to rush to the zenith, like numbers electronic speedometer literally jump over the 120 km / h mark at a falling rate of speed. Under the hood, there is 300 Nm of thrust, which allows the pretty Swedish creation to accelerate to 100 km / h in 7.4 seconds. And these are the indicators of hot hatches.
In terms of handling, both cars are good. Despite the increased center of gravity, the new "bogie" Subaru clearly benefited: a fairly sharp steering wheel with measured effort and precise trajectory follow you can feel confident in any situation. The all-wheel drive system and the tenacious Nokian friction clutch help to drive boldly on a snowy road - even with deliberate provocations, the car quickly and safely stabilizes.
Volvo's "steering wheel" is even richer, and the speed of cornering is higher - the car seems to stick to the road, while communication with the driver is clearer not only due to the "tight" steering wheel, but more accurate responses to the pedals. One but: on Volvo, electronic "collars" are noticeably stricter - where the XV gives a little kick, pulling the car with gas, the V40 nips everything in the bud by "strangling" the engine.
ANDSubaru, andVolvo equipped with a full range of virtual "eyes" that control the flow around the car, control the position in the lane, radar cruise control and the proximity system. Particularly pleasing is the active "cruise", which turns any out-of-town trips into relaxation. But the lane keeping system works on Subarumalfunctioning - the "eyes" very often cannot clearly define the markup, which is whyXvregularly leaves the strip. Whose fault is there more is an open question.Volvoalso equipped with a proprietary systemOn Callcapable of remotely controlling part of the car's functions
The suspensions also deserve laudatory reviews. At Subaru, it is "airy" - the XV rides along small and medium potholes, as if slightly touching the asphalt. But with an increase in the size of the pits, the predominance of energy intensity becomes obvious: the shock absorbers hold the blow, but in the cabin it already shakes. V40 Cross Country, on the contrary, protects passengers to the last - if flip flops and muffled knocks reach the passenger compartment, then the driver identifies them exclusively by ear.
The exit from the highway to light off-road immediately changes the participants' places: 220 mm ground clearance, very good geometry, the proprietary X-mode system makes the XV an obvious winner in this discipline. By disabling ESP, the Subarik can walk fairly confidently on virgin soil.
Volvo's main off-road problem is its civilian ground clearance of 145 mm and a low "nose". In addition, disabling the safety electronics requires intervention in the on-board computer. With the system activated, it desperately stifles any slippage and does not allow the movement to overcome deep snow. The V40 Cross Country can only be driven on light off-road terrain when absolutely necessary.
Updated Subaru engine XV proved to be economical. On the highway, the car fits into 7-7.5 liters of gasoline, and the consumption in the city does not exceed ten. Turbocharged Volvo is more voracious: with regular use of engine power, you need to count on 13-15 liters in the city
What's the bottom line?
Two very worthy rivals who, after the test, easily divided the spheres of influence.
Subaru XV- it is a "station wagon" in the sense that the car is suitable for most of the tasks. Elegant outside and inside, spacious, bright and modern car found a compromise between very good driving characteristics both on and off asphalt. But it is not without its drawbacks: the economic component is let down by the useless trunk, the driver's ardor is not cooled by the most powerful engine, and the queue to the car dealership is reduced by the considerable price for such a small car. If the "Japanese" had given up a little pride, the sales would have been clearly better.
Volvo V40 Cross Country T4- a car with a twist, which, given the widespread enthusiasm for crossovers, not everyone will be able to see. Despite the pseudo off-road camouflage, the Swedes got a real hot-hatch, which as an additional option offers a cozy interior and the ability to ride in comfort. Honestly, this car would have looked much better with the sporty body kit of the court studio Polestar and anatomical "buckets" in the cabin, especially since the laurels of an off-road compact will definitely be selected by the new XC40. Volvo could think about repositioning the V40, given that compact lighters on Russian market can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
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 valid 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 does the V40 Cross Country go?
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 difficulty begins: the opening rear doors a bit 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 hand-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 Jaguar XJ executive limousine 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 yet there is no trivial window of the on-board computer: you can refuse it altogether or enter it into the existing instrument cluster with the display of certain data with a couple of clicks.
- 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 the 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 local-scale work of art (and at the same time resembles the high-tech joystick of Toyota's Prius). And look at the rear-view mirror - it looks like 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 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 pick up 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 shame 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 front and rear suspension settings are slightly mismatched: to understand this, you need to slip through a couple of speed bumps. The front wheels rigidly take the load within reason, working out the unevenness. But when it comes to the rear ones, the body jumps out with an unexpected uppercut, followed by several 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 a 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 a wheel in the air. In order to go further, you need to turn on the sports mode 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 quite confidently gets out of the ambush. Full diagonal hanging is a little more hassle, but also doesn't immobilize the car completely.
Based on the results of a walk on snow-covered gullies, the verdict became clear quickly enough: even a decently muddy road is unlikely to become a serious obstacle for the technologically advanced V40 CC drive, but you should not meddle in 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. The design differences boil down 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 accumulator.
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 much easier. The radar in the radiator grille (note the solid plastic area) is responsible for feeling the road in front of the car, and the camera at the top windshield keeps track of 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 is performing better than expected and is quite applicable in the midst of the crowded metropolitan area. There is only one but: the stock that Volvo leaves in front allows especially impudent Moscow-style drivers to climb 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.
Increased ground clearance by 40 mm.
Special "off-road" plastic body kit that gives the car an attractive appearance, thanks to which he became more like a full-fledged SUV.
Enlarged bumpers.
Unique safety thresholds.
Chrome roof rails and panoramic roof.
Increased dimensions. The length of the SUV is 4380 mm, the width is 1784 (including the exterior mirrors - 2040 mm) and the height is 1460 mm.
It is easy to guess that the updated crossover has become more impressive and "brutal", and also acquired special distinctive features. All of these changes have given the car a more aggressive look. Looking at the V40 Cross Country, it seems that it is ready to storm the most difficult routes at any time.
Interior
The interior of the V40 Cross Country is made very solidly and from the highest quality materials. The salon has not undergone significant changes, with the exception of two innovations. A copper insert appeared on the center console and the stitching of the seat upholstery was changed. Apart from that, it can be said that the interior is exactly the same as that of the standard V40.
Elements on both consoles are very conveniently grouped, so that nothing interferes with access to any element. Passenger seats very comfortable as they have several adjustment modes, which will allow even people of impressive height to feel comfortable. They are soft so that even long trips will not become a pain. The back row seats are no less comfortable.
The back sofa will comfortably accommodate two passengers, but the three of them will already be cramped. The soundproofing of the car hides the rumble of the engine and the howling of air, and only a slight noise from the rolling of rubber in the area of \ u200b \ u200bthe arches reminds of the movement of a cross country.
Externally, the Volvo 40 cross country looks like a real SUV, capable of storming broken country roads and complete off-road, to a large extent, impressive bumpers and protective sills contribute to this. Through the efforts of designers, the opinion about the model as a car for retirees has changed, now it is hard not to notice it in the city traffic.
Double exhaust pipes, swift sidewalls, panoramic roof, spoiler and hood, chrome roof rails have updated the image of the car, now it looks youthful and daring.
The installed navigation devices are organically inscribed with the exterior of the car and are located very well. The radar is inscribed in the radiator grille, a camera that reads markings and road signs is installed in the upper part of the windshield, and the camera reverse almost impossible to stain in any weather.
The developers paid special attention to security. Everything here is thought out to the smallest detail. In addition to ultra-reliable safety belts, the car is equipped with seven airbags in the passenger compartment and even one outside (for pedestrians).
In the cabin, a large number of beautiful details and a center console, as if floating in the air, immediately catch the eye. The materials used in the decoration are of very high quality and correspond to the class of the car.
Specifications
Considering the technical Volvo characteristics V40 Cross Country, it should be said that two different modifications will be supplied to Russia, which differ installed engine and the type of drive.
The front-wheel drive version is equipped with a five-cylinder gasoline engine T4, with a volume of 2 liters. The power unit was equipped with an automatic fuel injection system. Engine power is 180 "horses", which is reached at 5 thousand rpm. The torque is 300 Nm (at a torque of 2700 rpm). One hundred kilometers on the speedometer can be seen in 8.7 seconds of acceleration. Average fuel consumption is 7.5 liters per 100 km. On the highway, it will be 5.8 liters, and when driving on city roads, just over 10 liters. Carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere are 174 g / km.
The AWD version will be delivered to Russia with a T5 engine. This is a five-cylinder turbine power unit which runs exclusively on gasoline. Its volume is also 2 liters, but at the same time its power is higher and amounts to 213 hp. It is reached at 6000 rpm. Torque is in line with the front wheel drive version. The T5 engine has the same fuel injection system as its counterpart. But, as you know, you have to pay for more power. The average fuel consumption of this version is slightly higher and amounts to 8.1 liters (11.3 liters on a city highway, and 6.3 liters on a suburban highway).
The range of these cars will be limited to these versions. In the future, it is planned to deliver to our country modified versions with a T5 engine, with an increased volume of up to 2.5 liters and a capacity of about 250 hp. Such a car can accelerate to a hundred in just 6.4 seconds. Naturally, such modifications increase fuel consumption. On the city highway, it will be 11.6 liters, and 6.4 liters on the suburban highway.
All three basic versions will be equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The most powerful can be equipped with "mechanics" as an option.
The six-speed, torque converter TF80-SD gearbox is very agile, making the right gear selection without hesitation. The box can work in both sports and manual operation. However, it will not be possible to perform engine braking with the gear engaged. The car is equipped with an adaptive cruise control system, allowing you to independently keep in the stream not only on the highway, but also in city traffic jams at low speeds. Electronics itself brakes and accelerates to a complete stop.
The distribution of torque is performed by the Haldex GenV clutch, which distributes the torque between the axles proportionally based on the signals from the sensors. The assembly itself has become structurally lighter and a little more compact, the designers decided to install a clutch pack instead of solenoids with batteries. Stuffed with reliable electronics, the car moves very confidently even on a muddy road, but even small ruts and slopes can become an insurmountable obstacle. Low ground clearance and a very long front overhang for a crossover made these obstacles simply insurmountable.
Car suspension
The Volvo V40 Cross Country is fully equipped independent suspension... The front of the car is equipped with McPherson struts and a stabilizer lateral stability... The wheels are equipped with ventilated disc brakes. To ensure good handling, the car is equipped with an extensive range of different electronic systems... Among all, it is worth highlighting the City Safety automatic braking system, the automatic parking system, and the vehicle detection system with a potentially dangerous location.
The suspension of the volvo v40 cross country is very tight, which provides good handling and slight roll. But it should be admitted that the overall energy consumption of the suspension for an off-road vehicle is still insufficient. The solution in terms of the settings of the front and rear suspensions of the car is also unclear, they are noticeably mismatched. The front suspension rigidly dampens vibrations when working out irregularities, and the rear does this after several damped vibrations. As it turned out, when tested on dirt roads, the travel of the cross country suspension itself is very small and insufficient in off-road conditions. The designers tried to fix some of the deficiencies of the suspension with the help of electronics. The crossover was equipped with the latest generation Haldex all-wheel drive system and electronics that provide insurance when descending from the mountain.
A small ground clearance (173 mm) and a long front of the car when driving on gullies lead to instant hanging of one of the wheels. And here smart automation comes to the rescue, for which the transmission should be switched to sport mode and the engine speed should be added.
The activated differential lock and the clutch that redistributed the torque will help the car to continue driving. With full (diagonal) suspension of the suspension, the electronics in this case is less effective, but still does not allow the complete immobilization of the crossover.
Steering with electric power steering during straight-line movement is very elastic, moderately responsive provides an ideal connection with the road. But when cornering wheel noticeably empties, and the connection with the steering wheels disappears in proportion to the speed.
Disadvantages of Volvo V40 Cross Country
The significant drawbacks of the car include the long front overhang, which does not allow to fully open off-road qualities this Volvo representative.
To no less than to declare itself in the class of crossovers, even a small ground clearance will not allow, with ground clearance at 173 mm it is very difficult to feel confident outside the asphalt.
Despite the large number of adjustments, it will not be easy for a tall person to get behind the wheel, his head will rest against the headliner, this problem can only be solved by abandoning the panoramic roof.
No less criticism is caused by the rear doorway, getting to the rear seats is very problematic for people of solid build.
Advantages of the car
The owners of the cross country note the elaborate appearance and interior design, the precise operation of the transmission and excellent road performance, the design that meets modern requirements. High-quality interior trim pleases many owners of this car. Dashboard in the top versions it is controlled like a smartphone, delighting the owners with its information content.
Price
The start of sales of the Volvo V40 Cross Country in our country is scheduled for March this year. As reported official dealers, version with front wheel drive and T4 engine in basic configuration will cost 1,190,000 rubles. The all-wheel drive model will cost more and will cost customers 1,270 thousand rubles. The cost of the most powerful model has not been disclosed at the moment.
conclusions
The Swedish automotive concern does not bring new models to the market as often as, for example, its Japanese counterparts. Perhaps for this reason, almost all cars of this brand receive the highest marks. Making a conclusion about the Volvo V40 Cross Country, it is worth highlighting its advantages:
A large number of different systems that provide excellent handling and comfort.
Everything related to safety has been thought out to the smallest detail.
Refined appearance.
Convenient dashboard.
Low fuel consumption.
The only one negative point is the fact that the car does not cope very well with its direct duties of an SUV. It is hardly possible to go on it to conquer unexplored tracks, despite its very brutal appearance. However, as practice shows, in most cases, SUVs are not used for their intended purpose. If you are going to move exclusively on city roads, then you should definitely buy the Volvo V40 Cross Country, because it does an excellent job of "urban SUV".
Options and prices Volvo V40 Cross Country 2013 in Russia
| Equipment | Price, rub | Engine | Transmission | type of drive | Acceleration to 100 km / h, s |
Consumption city / highway, l |
Maximum speed, km / h |
| 2.0 T5 AWD automatic transmission Kinetic | 1 279 000 | gasoline 2.0l (213 HP) | machine | full | 7,2 | 11,3 / 6,3 | 220 |
| 2.0 T5 AWD automatic transmission Momentum | 1 339 000 | gasoline 2.0l (213 HP) | machine | full | 7,2 | 11,3 / 6,3 | 220 |
| 2.0 T5 AWD automatic transmission Summum | 1 449 000 | gasoline 2.0l (213 HP) | machine | full | 7,2 | 11,3 / 6,3 | 220 |
| T4 automatic transmission Kinetic | 1 189 000 | gasoline 2.0L (180 HP) | machine | front | 8,7 | 10,4 / 5,8 | 215 |
| T4 automatic transmission Momentum | 1 249 000 | gasoline 2.0L (180 HP) | machine | front | 8,7 | 10,4 / 5,8 | 215 |
| T4 automatic transmission Summum | 1 359 000 | gasoline 2.0L (180 HP) | machine | front | 8,7 | 10,4 / 5,8 | 215 |
| 2.5 T5 AWD automatic transmission Kinetic | 1 449 000 | gasoline 2.5L (249 HP) | machine | full | 6,4 | 11,6 / 6,4 | 235 |
| 2.5 T5 AWD automatic transmission Momentum | 1 509 000 | gasoline 2.5L (249 HP) | machine | full | 6,4 | 11,6 / 6,4 | 235 |
| 2.5 T5 AWD automatic transmission Summum | 1 619 000 | gasoline 2.5L (249 HP) | machine | full | 6,4 | 11,6 / 6,4 | 235 |
