The Geely-owned Swedish manufacturer, Volvo has unveiled their bottom-of-the-line SUV, the XC40 at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. The smallest and cheapest SUV from the brand, will be arriving in India by mid-2018.
The 5-seater SUV will be initially built at the brand's Belgium factory, and the first examples will be delivered to over 300 US showrooms by early 2018. The Volvo XC40 rivals the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA. All the variants will be AWD too.
The XC40 uses Volvo's new ‘Compact Modular Architecture (CMA)' - A platform that will be used for all ‘40' models in the future, including EVs. The car will be available for booking online, backed up by the brand's ‘Care By Volvo' plan. The plan aims at negotiation-free subscription services alongside their purchase and lease options.
What is a Volvo without Safety! The car comes equipped with Obstruction Detection with Automatic Emergency Braking. Pilot Assist, 360-degree Park Assist (optional) and Run-off Road Mitigation are also available in the car.
Infotainment comes via a 9" Sensus Connect touchscreen, with integrated speech recognition.
The XC40 will come with two engine options - A 2-litre four-cylinder Turbo Petrol and a 2-litre four-cylinder Turbo Diesel. The D4 Diesel version gives 190bhp @ 4000rpm and 400Nm @ 1750rpm, while the T5 Petrol gives 247bhp @ 5500rpm and 350Nm @ 1800rpm. Hybrid versions are expected to follow soon.
India is likely to get only the Diesel variant. Volvo currently sells the XC90 as well as the XC60 in India. A new XC60 is also coming soon.
Volvo claims they've integrated some smart storage features all around the car's interior and the entire SUV is similarly sized to a Jeep Compass. The rear tailgate iselectrically-powered and is actuated via your foot, when shown under the rear bumper.
The XC40 is likely to gain the title, ‘Value For Money' since it will offer all these at around Rs. 35 lakh ex showroom (Delhi).
DriveSpark Thinks!
Volvo has been pioneering safety ever since they were in the Automotive scene. They invented the 3-point seatbelt which everyone uses today. Volvo's aim is to prevent all serious injury and fatality in their models, by 2020. The XC40 will be a brilliant offering to those who look for a premium experience for their family, without having to worry about safety.
