Volvo is continuing its design revival with its V40 hatchback, which has been given a refresh for 2016 inside and out. The updated car will debut at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, it's on sale now priced around the £20,000 mark with first deliveries expected in June this year. .
The redesign takes heavy inspiration from the Swedish brand’s new ’90 Series’ of cars, which includes the S90 saloon, recently-revealed V90 estate and our current Car of the Year, the XC90 SUV.
Naturally, the facelift includes Volvo’s ‘Thor’s Hammer’ running lights, which sweep across the light clusters, a larger Volvo 'Iron Mark' badge on the grille and a better-integrated radar sensor that’s used by the automatic braking system and adaptive cruise control. The Cross Country model is still equipped with black plastic cladding along the bottom edges and a taller ride height. Other design tweaks on both the hatchback and CC crossover are few and far between, so the car’s sweeping lines and neat rear end largely remain the same.
The V40 will be available in five colours – four of which are blue. Along with Mussel Blue, Bursting Blue and the Luminous Sand finishes seen on other Volvo cars, the V40 can also be had in Amazon Blue and Denim Blue. Eight alloy wheel choices will also be available between the standard V40, R-Design and Cross Country variants.
Inside, new seat upholstery called ‘City Weave’ can be had, along with new interior panel trims for the dashboard. R-Design versions feature the same chunky bodykit and sportier alloy wheels, and will feature new door sill tread plates inside. The V40 will also be treated to a top-of-the-range Inscription trim, just like the Volvo XC90, along with the brand’s Volvo On Call service.
Little detail is given regarding the updated V40’s engine range, so expect the same D2, D3 and D4 diesel engines and T2, T3 and T5 petrol offerings, too. It is worth noting that the most efficient diesel, the D2, now has emissions of 89g/km – 5g/km less than the outgoing version.
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