On October 25 this year, four weeks after the world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, the Russian presentation of the Volvo V40 Cross Country took place as part of the opening of Fashion Week in Moscow. In Gostiny Dvor, those modifications of the new model were presented (and their prices were announced), which from February next year will be available at Volvo Cars dealerships.
Having conceived a cross-country vehicle of the “C” market segment, the Swedish designers did not fool their heads with complex technical solutions. Based on the Volvo V40 hatchback, the engineers simply increased its ground clearance and added rear-wheel drive using the familiar Haldex clutch. In exactly the same way, the Volvo V70 Cross Country station wagon, which appeared in 1997, was created. A simplified one is also provided, i.e. front-wheel drive, modification of the Volvo V40 Cross Country.
Other features of the V40 Cross Country include the Hill Descent Control system, which controls the speed of movement when descending, as well as the Hill Hold function, which facilitates the process of starting uphill. The first of the mentioned technologies is offered only for the all-wheel drive version of the Cross County.
The rest of the differences between a cross-country vehicle and a regular counterpart, such as bumper and body sills or vertically mounted daytime running lights, are, in my opinion, more decorative than functional.
Some difficulties arise with the determination of the ground clearance of new items. One of the independent sources calls the value 173 mm. The manufacturer only reports that the clearance of the V40 Cross Country is 40 mm more than that of a road car. But in this case, it becomes incomprehensible how the height of these cars can differ only by 13 mm, that is, be equal to 1458 and 1445 mm, respectively. The width and length for both models are the same - 4370 and 1802 mm. However, there are other inaccuracies in the factory specification, so I recommend being careful.
While the engineers at Volvo Cars didn't make things difficult for themselves, the marketing people took care not to overshadow life with the difficulties of choice for Russian buyers. Only two modifications of the Volvo V40 Cross Country are offered on our market - front-wheel drive, with a T4 gasoline engine, and an all-wheel drive version with a T5 gasoline engine, however, in three trim levels - Kinetic, Momentum and Summum. What is hidden behind these names is not yet clear. It is only known that the price of the front-wheel drive version starts from 1.189.000 rubles, and the T5 AWD modification starts from 1.279.000 rubles.
1984 cc T4 4-cylinder petrol engine with direct fuel injection and turbocharging develops 132 kW (180 hp) at 5000 rpm and 300 Nm of torque in a wide range - from 2700 to 5000 rpm.
The listed characteristics of the motor in combination with a 6-speed automatic transmission Geartronic allow the car with a curb weight of 1452 kg to reach a speed of 100 km / h in 8.7 seconds. Volvo does not name the value of the maximum speed in accordance with corporate rules.
The Volvo V40 Cross Country T4 version is very economical. It consumes 10.4 liters of fuel per 100 km - in the city, 5.8 liters - on the highway and 7.5 liters - in the combined cycle. CO2 emissions are 174 g/km.
But the modification of the Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 AWD is much faster. Up to 100 km per hour, a car equipped with a 5-cylinder gasoline engine with a volume of 2497 cubic meters. cm, with direct fuel injection and turbocharging, as well as Geartronic automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, manages to accelerate in 6.4 seconds.
Of course, a powerful engine, all-wheel drive transmission and increased by 60 kg weight of the car lead to increased appetite. 11.6 liters (city), 6.4 liters (highway) and 8.3 liters (combined) - these are the fuel consumption values for the T5 AWD modification.
In addition to what I said earlier, Cross Country differs from the road version of the Volvo V40 with the original mesh grille, anodized black frames framing all the windows of the car, black exterior mirror housings and roof rails. In addition, the car will be available with a panoramic glass roof and heated windshield.
Especially for the Volvo V40 Cross Country model, the designers of the Scandinavian company have developed GEMINUS (16-inch), LARENTA (17-inch), MEFITIS (18-inch) aluminum alloy wheels. All of them are offered in two color options - silver and gray. Black wheels are available as an accessory.
New body colors are also offered for the off-road vehicle: Raw Cooper metallic, Biarritz Blue metallic, Amazon Blue metallic, Misty Blue metallic, Nightshade Gray metallic. And for the seat upholstery, you can choose one of seven leather options, among which Volvo marketers highlight brown Espresso Brown. However, a two-tone interior trim is also provided.
In all other respects, the V40 Cross Country off-road vehicle is no different from the road version of the Volvo V40.
The V40 Cross Country, in particular, uses Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control (DSCT), which includes a number of technologies that improve both driving safety and driving quality. First, with the help of a body roll angle sensor, the system detects the tendency to skid the car at the time of its first signs. Thanks to this, the position of the machine is corrected with greater accuracy. Secondly, Corner Traction Control ensures that the Volvo V40 Cross Country handles corners quickly and confidently.
Of course, the Volvo V40 Cross Country has been designed with the IntelliSafe philosophy in mind and is therefore equipped with the latest in safety and driver support. In the list of new technologies, you can see, for example, an airbag for protecting the driver's knees and an airbag for protecting pedestrians, as well as a parking assist system plus a traffic sign recognition function. In addition, the Volvo V40 Cross Country is equipped with advanced pedestrian detection technology with full automatic braking and an updated City Safety system, which is now capable of preventing collisions at speeds up to 50 km/h. These innovations make it possible to call the Volvo V40 the most intelligent model in terms of safety in the history of the Swedish company.
It is impossible not to recall that the designers replaced the traditional instrument panel on the Volvo V40 with a liquid crystal display. Now the driver, in accordance with his preferences, can choose one of three options for displaying information. Such a dashboard is also convenient in that only the information necessary in a given situation is displayed on the screen. The experts who developed the new Volvo Sensus information system also sought to achieve this maximum simplicity. In this system, all information is displayed on a color monitor located at the top of the instrument panel. All Volvo Sensus functions can be controlled using the buttons located on the steering wheel, as well as via the controls located directly below the monitor. In addition, there is also a remote control. A mobile application allows the driver to maintain contact with his car in remote access mode.
Just as in the case of the road version of the Volvo V40, the designers of the V40 Cross Country did not forget about such a prosaic, but no less important task, as the convenient placement of cargo in the trunk. Numerous hooks, a storage box for small items, an additional floor, one of two suspension mesh options (soft or steel), as well as a “Luggage Compartment Optimization System”, which includes two floor rails, a partition for separating luggage and a belt for securing it.
As you can see, the differences between the regular and all-terrain versions of the Volvo V40 are minimal. Therefore, the decision of Volvo Cars to supply only the V40 Cross Country model to Russia is not at all surprising. Given the specific road conditions, it does not make sense to offer us a front-wheel drive car with limited ground clearance when there is a version with increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive transmission.
By and large, the Volvo V40 Cross Country is not even a crossover, much less an SUV. So what is it? It seems to me that due to its compact size, high engine power and improved cross-country ability, the V40 Cross Country is well suited for year-round operation in the metropolis, taking into account regular trips outside it. It's just a pity that the version with diesel engines will have to wait. However, in any case, I would call this model a little differently - Volvo V40 Cross City.
Photo by Volvo
Everything around, except for people, becomes 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. The new crossover Volvo V40 Cross Country is just one of these - it promises to deliver anywhere with complete relaxation and almost on autopilot.
To do this, you just need to order a car in 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. the overall impression of it will not change much. 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 offer, but how will the V40 Cross Country turn out in action?
Volvo V40 Cross Country attracts maximum attention on the road. From every second car, an interested look, once every two days, questions in the parking lot. Yes, and representatives of Volvo say that the novelty has caused quite a stir among customers, and a solid queue has already lined up behind it.
It is immediately evident that this car has a lot of original and beautiful details, both outside and inside. The artists did a good job of erasing the brand's retired image from the minds of buyers. Dual exhaust pipes, fast embossed sidewalls, a daring spoiler, an impudent hood, chrome roof rails. What is there to continue - look at the photos! The inside is also cool: the center console floats 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. How about finding a neatly hidden CD 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 a little high, and even with my height of 176 cm, the headroom with the chair lowered down is minimal. If you are a little taller and do not like to sit on the floor, then get ready to meet the top of your head with the eyeglass case and headlining 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 emerge when getting acquainted 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, as well as folding headrests. But in order to enjoy all this, you must first get there. This is where the difficulties begin: the rear door opening is narrow, and there is very little space 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 stain your trousers with pleasure.
A fully drawn chameleon tidy is available as part of the City package for 75,200 rubles. Such a 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 creators of Volvo: you can do almost everything with the instrument cluster that you do with your smartphone: first, change the subject by choosing from three available ones. Both the color scheme of devices and their style, as well as their relative position and display type will change. Want more contrast? Please rotate the corresponding menu item. And there is also no banal window of the on-board computer: you can refuse it completely or enter it in a couple of clicks into the existing instrument cluster with the display of certain data.
- Where to put your cell phone in the Volvo cabin? If not in the cup holder, then in a niche near the center console. But the latter, for the sake of design, is made floating, and the shelf is located behind it. Therefore, do not reach for the phone on the go. It's Volvo safety freaks - keep your hands open 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 SS for ourselves. Attention is drawn to the cunningly hidden light bulbs of soft interior lighting. 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 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, for this beautiful option you have to pay a little extra.
Like everything in this car, the remote control is “designer”. The transmission selector handle also pulls on a work of art of a local scale (and at the same time resembles a high-tech joystick of a Toyota Prius). And look at the rearview 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 turbocharger 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 that is possible. Let's check if the crossover has enough power. Yes, for the eyes! It's hard to imagine why there is an option to choose a 249-horsepower 2.5-liter T5 with 350 Nm of thrust. Starting from a standstill is not impressive, but picking 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 let you doubt it! The gearbox here is a quite nimble TF80-SD torque converter from Aisin. It has six gears and sports and manual modes are available. Both the one and the other are controlled only by the selector on the central tunnel - no stalk levers. It's just a little pity that the V40 Cross Country refuses to brake at all.
So what about corners? Here it is not all smooth sailing. In vain, the engineers did not consider it necessary to bring the electric booster (for an extra charge, it can have three feedback force settings) to the ideal: the steering wheel itself is quite elastic, sensitive and rather “short”, but the steering wheel becomes very empty in turns, and the driver’s connection with the steered wheels is lost. And it seems that the car is not the one to grumble on 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 small rolls.
Although the chassis also fails in some ways: you expect an unequivocally greater overall energy intensity of the suspension from an all-terrain vehicle! In addition to this, the settings of the front and rear suspensions are slightly mismatched: to understand this, you need to speed through a pair of speed bumps. The front wheels take the load within reason, working out the unevenness. But when it comes to the rear, the body is rocked by an unexpected uppercut with a few damped wobbles in its wake. The rear is very tight! 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 understated cars.
But is everything so sad with bad roads? Off-road driving the Volvo V40 CC is, at first glance, almost an oxymoron. Well, what can be the geometry with 145 mm of 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 geometry and even the presence of electronics that insure when descending a mountain. Let's check how it all works!
In the process of crawling even on light hills, the hanging of one of the rear wheels occurs immediately. Get to work, Haldex 5! But the car stands still and turns the wheel in the air. In order to go further, you need to turn on the sport mode of the stabilization system (although 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 trouble, but also does not completely immobilize the car.
Based on the results of a walk through the snow-covered gullies, the verdict became clear quite quickly: even a decently muddy road is unlikely to become a serious obstacle for the technologically advanced V40 CC drive, but it’s not worth sticking into ruts, slopes and other obstacles that require good geometry: modest ground clearance and the front bumper, behind which an eye and an eye, will cool your ardor very quickly. At the same time, very modest suspension moves are fully compensated by the skills of a well-tuned latest generation all-wheel drive. The Haldex GenV clutch, like its predecessor unit, distributes torque proactively based on signals from a mass of sensors. The design differences boil down to the fact that the assembly has become lighter and more compact due to the use of a special valve in the clutch pack drive instead of a solenoid with a separate battery.
By paying for Volvo's auxiliary electronics, the driver gets a cool and useful upgrade to his V40 Cross Country. While we have not yet created a full-fledged autopilot, we can enjoy adaptive cruise controls, circular radars and other car parking assistants that also make life a lot easier. The radar in the grille (note the solid plastic area) is responsible for feeling the road in front of the car, and the camera at the top of the windshield monitors the markings and signs. All this fraternity of "electronics" carefully monitors 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 road signs well, but you should not rely entirely on its work. In the city, she thinks that we are in Europe, and from somewhere she takes a limit of 50, skips some signs. But to be honest, it is a sin to scold electronics when you yourself do not always understand at what speed it is allowed to drive on our roads. But with 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 bumps under the wheels.
Another interesting toy is the adaptive cruise control system. Its functionality allows you not only to keep behind the car in front on the track, but also to push in traffic jams at ultra-low speeds. The car itself slows down and accelerates, unless there is a complete stop - then you have to start off by lightly touching the gas pedal or 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 capital's hustle and bustle. There is only one but: the margin that Volvo leaves in front allows especially daring drivers "in Moscow" to climb in front of you. There is also a full automatic braking system, 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 the promising prefix Cross Country in the name, is not a premiere model. Indeed, even at the Paris Automobile Forum, held in the fall of 2012, the Swedish brand presented a body in a similar 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 interior decoration.
It is worth noting that outwardly 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 distinguishing feature of the crossover will be its 17-inch rims.
Design
The expressive design of the car indicates a well-defined audience, which the model is intended for in the first place. We are talking about young motorists leading an active lifestyle.
The sloping hood with a pair of double stiffening ribs seems to flow into a voluminous radiator grille. The headlights have a smooth shape and stylish LED horizontal stripes that divide the headlights in half. The curved roofline and boomerang-shaped rear lights give the car a sporty and dynamic appearance. Organically complements the picture and an overestimated line of the side glazing of the body.
The length of the crossover was 4370 mm, its width is 1783 mm, the height of the V40 Cross Country does not exceed 1458 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, it is not worth driving off paved roads.
What's in the cabin?
In terms of its interior design, the Volvo V40 Cross Country exactly repeats the “regular” V40 model. Modern design, noble finishing materials and impeccable build quality of the cabin indicate the premium level of the car.
In addition to stylish design, the interior is distinguished by well-balanced ergonomics and a high level of comfort, which are provided to the driver and passengers. Cozy front seats have developed lateral support, an optimal profile of the backs and a good size of the pillows. The design of the front panel is typical for cars of the Swedish brand. Genuine leather, polished aluminum and even natural wood are used as finishing materials.
But with the presence of free space in the second row of seats there are questions. Despite the successful and comfortable molding of the sofa, designed for two passengers, people above average height will not be too comfortable here.
Not the strongest point of the presented model is also its luggage compartment. Cargo capacity of the car is 335 liters, which can be increased to 1,032 liters by folding down the rear seatbacks. 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 sound insulation of the cabin - at high speeds in the cabin you can talk 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 intended versions of the Volvo 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 connect the rear axle.
Petrol engines of the Volvo V40 crossover include T3, T4, and T5 turbocharged units. The base 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 gasoline engine has the same volume of 2.0 liters and, thanks to twin turbocharging, is capable of developing up to 245 hp. power.
Even the initial gasoline engine gives the car an excellent “acceleration” and a noticeable pickup after tapping the gas pedal when driving at medium speeds.
The least powerful engine is a diesel plant, which is equipped with modifications to the V40 Cross Country D2. This four-cylinder engine develops no more than 120 hp. and does not differ in incendiary dynamics. But the diesel version of Volvo will please with its economy. The declared consumption of D2 per 100 km of combined run is only 3.9 liters.
Depending on the chosen engine, a 6- or 8-speed automatic transmission is offered in pair with it.
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 numerous pluses of the model, critics call insufficient ground clearance for a crossover, an overly compact trunk and the inconvenience of the process of landing and disembarking on 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 with 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 you can safely write a plus on 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 - MINI Countryman and Subaru XV. Yes, the list of options for the Volvo V40 Cross Country includes an all-wheel drive transmission, a downhill assistant, wheels of a solid diameter and a protective body kit. But the 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 asphalt, the Drive-E family engines 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 solved in a win-win Scandinavian style: minimalism, bright design moves and expensive finishing materials.
SMALL YACHT
A high window sill, a coupe-shaped roof, wheel arch muscles, roof rails and exhaust pipes spaced along the edges of the bumper ...
The V40 Cross Country looks like a hot hatchback - the designers have shown foresight by betting on a youth audience. And a recent restyling has added solidity to the Swede: 2017 model year cars sport a mesh grille, a larger Volvo logo and new Thor's Hammer headlights - like the cars of the 90 series.
The interior design is decided in the style of the S60 and XC60. The electronic instrument panel offers great graphics and advanced functionality. And if desired, the driver can easily adjust the “tidy” for himself. You can't fault the quality of finishing materials. Without exaggeration, this is a premium level and sophisticated solutions. You can choose both discreet, "Scandinavian" and brighter colors.
Inside, the V40 Cross Country is cozy, but not without ergonomic miscalculations. The main complaint is to tightness, and in both rows. The branded "floating" center console hides space in the area of the knees of the front riders. Behind, tall passengers will not only press their knees on the backs of the first row seats, but also run the risk of propping their heads on the ceiling. Meanwhile, it's nice that the rear sofa can be equipped with heating for an extra charge.
The trunk volume also does not break records: only 324 liters, and the fifth door opening is narrow, and the threshold is high. These are the cons. If we talk about the pros, then the backs of the rear seats are folded in a ratio of 40:60, due to the additional raised floor panel (optional), a flat platform for luggage is obtained, various devices for attaching bags are provided.
I must say that after reystaling, the crossover interior did not look ultramodern. The architecture of the center console with a battery of buttons and toggle switches is like greetings from the past. The five-inch multimedia screen is small by today's standards. Want a 7-inch display? Order a multimedia system more expensive - with a rear view camera, navigation and better music.
In the arsenal of the Swedish crossover are assistants informing about road signs and driver fatigue, adaptive cruise control, as well as the City Safety system, which can stop the car on its own at speeds up to 50 km/h.
Be that as it may, a slight touch of retro does not detract from the richness of the electronic filling. At the bottom of the aforementioned console are buttons for controlling the rear-view camera, lane control systems, warning of dangerous proximity and car parking. The Swedish crossover's arsenal includes assistants that inform about road signs and driver fatigue, adaptive cruise control operating at speeds up to 200 km/h, and the City Safety system, which can stop the car on its own at speeds up to 50 km/h and recognize pedestrians. Finally, the branded app for smartphones Volvo On Call after restyling supports Apple Watch or Android Wear, as well as devices running Windows 10.
CHOOSE YOUR TASTE
Mechanical transmission for the Swedish model in our market is not provided. 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 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 compromises. The "Swede" is fully revealed with 2-liter gasoline 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 cheerfully and, traditionally for the Swedish brand, without any nervousness. A six-speed automatic Aisin does not allow any jerks or delays when switching, and a steering wheel with a distinct reactive force adds confidence when maneuvering. However, everything is known in 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 car consumes only 8.5 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle. The work of the 8-speed automatic is also worthy of compliments. The gears shift smoothly, and in case the driver wants maximum drive, a sport mode is provided.
The V40 Cross Country's 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 with the car. On asphalt waves, the car does not sway and is practically indifferent to rutting. Knocking 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 rigid. The chassis handles potholes of any caliber in the most detailed way, so if you drive on broken 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 not achieved by recalibrating the chassis, but by installing larger wheels. Geometric cross-country ability and all-wheel drive based on the fifth generation Haldex coupling will allow you to get to the cottage, but it’s better not to meddle on primers washed out by rain, and even more so on difficult off-road conditions: low ground clearance and light suspensions “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 if you 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 made it possible 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 a version with a 2-liter 150-horsepower gasoline engine and a CVT). And for the front-wheel drive MINI Countryman 1.6 AT (122 hp) they ask for 1,541,500. As you can see, the price advantage is on the Swede's side.
Another argument in favor of the Volvo crossover is the rich basic equipment. Standard equipment, 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, power driver's seat, mirrors and side windows, as well as "music »High performance. At the same time, branded security systems, if you buy them in a package, cost 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 petrol L4 Working volume, cu. 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 distinctive aluminum sills and overhangs front and rear is no exception. True, before the top version with a 249-horsepower engine, the two-liter 213-horsepower unit that I got. a little underwhelmed. But the rest did not yield. In some ways, this is for the better - it is not so voracious, taxes are lower, and there is enough power, and even in conditions of predominantly urban driving, 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 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, and healthy American high-tech pragmatism will flash . However, what the company from Gothenburg has always remained true to itself is the desire to make the car as safe as possible. It is not surprising that the Volvo V40, which debuted last year in Geneva, without a la SUV body kits and without Cross Country in the name, became the world's first car with a pedestrian airbag. When I spoke with Stefan Inerfeld, project leader of the V40, I was very upset by the news that such a humane machine 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 increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive, finally came. And I am very pleased that the pedestrian airbag was not thrown out of the options package. It is available in Russia and will cost 39 thousand rubles. How much philanthropy has not yet died out in us will be shown by the sales statistics, which are just beginning.
But it's time to get behind the wheel. Despite the compactness of the car, the driver, and even a very tall one, will have enough space in the Volvo V40 Cross Country (although it should be noted that the seat cushions are a bit short), but those sitting behind will have to crowd. 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 tight quarters, but not offended, besides, clinging to each other - warmer. They did not know that the rear seats also have tri-band heating.
That's what a car from Scandinavia means! Heating issues are given increased attention. The car also has pre-heating, a web of invisible electric heating threads has tightened the entire windshield, side mirrors and rear door glass have not been left without attention. 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 need to type the word Volvo. Through a smartphone, you can also control the location of the car, the state of a number of its parameters. But the “smart” car did not submit to completely fashionable gadgets, for example, with an insufficient level of gasoline in the V40 Cross Country tank, it will not allow it to be burned completely just for the sake of heat.
In a warm car, you can and even need to ride without outerwear. A coat or jacket restricts the driver's mobility, but also increases the risk of injury in a speeding crash. The Swedes fighting for the safety of the car proved this. 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 crossed the “hundred” mark. I confess, I did not expect such a frisky, in one breath acceleration from the Volvo V40 Cross Country, given the slush and snow under the wheels. That's when all-wheel drive is needed!
As I said, not all Volvo V40 Cross Country delivered to Russia are equipped with it. Cars with four-cylinder engines 180 hp they don't have it. But five-cylinder units of 213 and 249 forces - please. The drive is permanent and non-switchable. It is not possible to force only one axis to work. There are no downshifts or transfer cases. To “hundreds” my “black arrow” fired in 7.2 seconds, losing to the older “sister” some 0.5 seconds. "Hundred" submits to the 180-horsepower version at around 8.7 s, which is also impressive. And 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 indicators of "blind" zones in the A-pillars will prevent sloppy lane changes. By the way, these electronic devices, which are now flaunted by prestigious brands, first appeared on Volvo 7 years ago on the C30 model. Adaptive cruise control maintains a distance, up to a stop, from the car in front. And the trembling of the steering wheel will remind you of the involuntary intersection of marking lines. When maneuvering in reverse, the Volvo V40 Cross Country turns on the rear camera, it can be directed directly, or under the bumper to park tighter. Moreover, when reversing, the driver does not need to be afraid of traffic going across. In case of danger, the car will not only warn the driver, but also stop the car. In my opinion, driver care would be even more gentle if the large display in the center of the dash 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 buttons scattered on the console and almost unreadable from the driver's seat.
But the Volvo V40 Cross Country is able to park itself, “finding” enough space for this in a row of cars parked at the sidewalk. Definitely, this Volvo model is closer than other production cars to the threshold beyond which human intervention in the management of machinery is not required. This machine is able to recognize road signs. During the test, more than once I caught myself thinking that the car would follow the rules of the road more strictly than I did. In some places, he was reinsured, displaying a speed limit of 20 km / h on the speedometer. And with all that, the Volvo V40 Cross Country is a driver's car, it drives fast, obediently, confidently. The rigid suspension does not add comfort to passengers, but makes it comfortable to drive, including during high-speed maneuvering. In harmony with the accelerating dynamics and braking dynamics. The brakes have good feedback. The same can be said about the steering.
But what I didn’t like was the noisy studded tires (I do not exclude that insufficient sound insulation may be partly to blame for the sounds penetrating into the cabin) and a very limited view back through the salon mirror. The entire space is covered by three large head restraints, guarding passive safety. The limited visibility is compensated by the electronics. It compensates successfully, but we have not yet got used to trusting it so unconditionally. I see no reason to consider the Volvo V40 Cross Country a crossover. The Cross Country inscription embossed in the overlay under the rear bumper does not convince me of this. Well, what kind of crossover is it with a clearance of 14 cm, albeit equipped with an assistant when descending a mountain? Yes, a good balanced road car with a driving accent. Expensive, compact, safe.
