New Volvo XC40 revealed 22 | 09 | 2017

    VOLVO HAS REVEALED its all-new XC40. The newcomer — which is set to go head-to-head with the likes of the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Jaguar’s imminent E-Pace — is available to order now from Scottish dealers priced from £27,905. First deliveries are expected early 2018. (Related: Scots giant plans new Volvo dealership)

    Not surprisingly, the XC40 builds on the styling cues of its larger XC60 and XC90 siblings. It is, however, more compact and boasts athletic lines.

    Carried over from the two larger XC models are the imposing front-end, with the trademark grille design and ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED lights. Same too with the clamshell bonnet. But while the shapely tailgate and C-shaped rear lights also appear, the coupe-like roofline is new. So too are the cut-outs in the doors and steeply rising rear window line.

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    While Volvo has yet to release dimensions of the car — expect it to be  considerably shorter than an XC60 — we know the XC40 is the first car to utilise Volvo’s CMA (Compact Modular Architecture) platform.

    From launch, three petrol and two diesel engines will be available, with power ranging from 150 to 250bhp. All these engines are 2.0-litre, four-cylinder units: there are 156bhp T3, 190bhp T4 and 247bhp T5 petrols, and 150bhp D3 and 190bhp D4 diesels.

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    The T3 is available exclusively with front-wheel drive, while the D3 is offered in front- or all-wheel-drive form. The T4, T5 and D4 come with all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox. An automatic gearbox is also available on D3 versions. Full technical details of these engines will be released at a later date, and the range will be further supplemented by addition powertrains.

    Entry-level Momentum versions include textile and vinyl interior upholstery and the option of a contrast-coloured white roof and door mirrors, along with white and black alloy wheels.

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    Momentum XC40s get Volvo's cutting-edge Sensus 9in touch screen that works in tandem with the sophisticated voice-activated control system. The class-leading connectivity features continue with sat-nav, which includes real-time traffic information and lifetime map updates, and three USB sockets. The Sensus system also allows access to a range of web apps, including Spotify, TuneIn, Google Local Search and Yelp.

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    The ground-breaking Volvo On Call smartphone app and emergency assistance package is also fitted to every XC40. This allows you to control various functions of your car remotely from your smartphone or smartwatch, such as locking and unlocking the doors, and, on automatic versions, even starting the engine in order to pre-heat or cool the cabin. It can also automatically alert the emergency services if your car is involved in an accident, and use the car's inbuilt GPS to direct them to your precise location.

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    Also standard are LED headlights, dual-zone climate control with Volvo's sophisticated 'CleanZone' air-filtration system, a 12.3in active TFT configurable driver's information display and rear parking sensors. Alloy wheels are 18in as standard, with up to 21in wheels available as an option.

    Sector-first standard safety equipment includes City Safety, Volvo's automatic emergency braking system that can detect pedestrians, cyclists and large animals, and Oncoming Lane Mitigation, which warns you if you move out of your lane into the path of an oncoming vehicle and provides steering assistance to guide you safely back into your lane.

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    R-Design versions add a host of sporty touches, including a gloss black front grille and front and rear lower bumper sections, a black roof and door mirrors, and dual integrated exhaust pipes. They also get uprated sports suspension and 18in diamond cut/matt black alloy wheels. On the inside, there's leather/nubuck upholstery, front seat cushion extensions, a perforated leather steering wheel and gear knob, and aluminium dashboard inlays.

    Inscription versions focus on luxury and come with leather-faced upholstery, a power-operated tailgate, front parking sensors, a powered driver's seat, driftwood interior inlays and chrome exterior highlights. Automatic versions also come with a crystal gear lever from Swedish crystal glassware maker Orrefors.

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    Every version of the XC40 is also available in highly specified Pro form. Highlights of the Momentum Pro include a powered driver's seat, heated front seats and a heated windscreen, and active bending headlights with adaptive shadow technology that block out part of the headlights' beam to avoid dazzling vehicles in front.

    R-Design Pro benefits from all this, along with 20in alloy, while Inscription Pro has 19in wheels and a powered passenger seat.

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    An optional Xenium package is available across the range and brings a powered tilt and slide panoramic glass sunroof, a 360o surround view parking camera system, and Park Assist Pilot, which includes automatic parallel and 90o parking.

    Pilot Assist, Volvo's innovative semi-autonomous drive feature, is an optional extra on every XC40. It assists with the steering (up to 80mph) and takes care of the acceleration and braking to keep the car within lane markings and at the desired speed or distance from any vehicle in front. Pilot Assist is another step towards fully autonomous driving.

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    Other options include wireless mobile phone charging, Smartphone Integration – which includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – and a Harman Kardon sound system that combines 13 speakers, advanced sound-processing software and an output of 1200W.

    The first XC40s in the UK will be the T5 and D4 First Editions, which are based on R-Design Pro versions but with even more equipment as standard. Highlights of the enhanced First Edition specification are the Xenium pack, Pilot Assist, a power-operated tailgate with handsfree opening and closing, heated rear seats, wireless mobile phone charging and the Harmon Kardon sound system.

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    The XC40 also introduces the innovative Care by Volvo package. For one monthly payment, this covers car rental, scheduled maintenance, insurance and roadside assistance, along with a range of concierge services that will expand over time. Care by Volvo will be available as an introductory offer on special T5 and D4 Momentum versions for just £629 per month for 24 months. Care by Volvo will be offered on other XC40 variants in due course.

    Related: Polestar boost for Volvo XC60

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    Jim McGill

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