New Volvo V40: first for safety

Offering the ultimate in luxury, safety technology, driving dynamics and specification, the eagerly awaited V40 can now be test driven at TMS Coventry on London Road.

With a low and wide front look enhancing a bold, expressive grille and the option of a panoramic glass roof, V40 is the first model to be developed according to Volvo’s new human-centric, Designed Around You strategy.

Performance is delivered from a wide choice of both petrol and diesel engines ranging from the 115 hp 1.6-litre D2 diesel, with CO2 emissions of just 94 g/km with an accompanying fuel economy of 78.5 mpg*, placing this model in the lowest tax band, to 254 hp for the petrol turbo powered T5.

Much of the new V40’s design, specification and technology such as start-stop and braking energy regeneration have been developed with the company motorist in mind and company car users will further benefit from strong Benefit In Kind (BIK) figures. Company car drivers of a V40 D2 will pay a monthly BIK of just £43 and £85 for 20% and 40% tax payers respectively.

The V40 D2 offers class leading BIK figures for premium 5-door hatchbacks, beating the BMW 116d ED (£45 and £90) and the Audi A3 1.6 TDI (£48 and £97).

The luxury hatchback is available in ES, SE and SE LUX trim with Bluetooth, ECC (Electronic Climate Control), DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control), power windows, a leather steering wheel and gear knob fitted as standard. The SE model adds Textile/T-Tec upholstery, shimmer graphite inlays, cruise control, steering wheel remote controls and keyless start. The most luxurious version of the Volvo V40, the SE LUX offers leather-faced upholstery, 17in Mannan alloy wheels and LED day running lights as well as active bending xenon lights with a headlight cleaning system.

The all-new Volvo V40 is the most intelligent and safe car in its segment and Volvo aims to achieve a full five-star rating in the new, tougher 2012 Euro NCAP safety tests.

Its host of innovative features includes the world’s first pedestrian airbag fitted as standard; the next step towards the manufacturer’s target of no-one being killed or injured in a new Volvo by 2020. The system is active at speeds between 12 and 31 mph and with 75 per cent of all accidents involving pedestrians taking place at up to 24 mph, the technology is set to save lives.

Volvo’s City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system, which now operates at speeds up to 31 mph (currently 19mph on other models), keeps an eye on traffic in front and automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops - or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.

Other safety features also include Park Assist Pilot which makes parallel parking easy; Lane Keeping Aid helps the driver stay in the intended lane. Enhanced Blind Spot Information System monitors and alerts the driver to rapidly approaching vehicles and those in the blind spots on both sides of the car. Adaptive Cruise Control & Distance Alert automatically maintains a set time gap to the car in front; and Collision Warning and Auto Brake detects, alerts and automatically brakes if the car risks colliding with another vehicle in front.

Priced from £19,745 on-the-road, test drive bookings can be made by contacting TMS Coventry on 0844 662 6229 with first deliveries taking place in September.

*Fitted with 205 tyres / on the combined cycle