Volvo is looking to expand its product range in India and the company will be launching an entry-level premium hatchback to take on the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1-Series.
Swedish manufacturer Volvo has some of the best-looking cars in its line-up. The company is readying some new models that will be hitting the markets in 2015. While our 2015 Volvo XC90 review is coming up soon, the automaker is also gearing up to launch the V40 hatchback in India. As of now, Volvo sells the V40 Cross Country, S60 sedan, XC60 SUV, S80 sedan and current generation XC90 in the country. The Volvo V40 shares most of its parts and underpinnings with the V40 Cross Country but it comes with a more premium appeal rather than the rugged look that the latter gets.
The V40 hatchback gets different front and rear bumpers than the Cross Country. It also misses out on skid plates, roof rails and body-cladding. The DRLs come with a new design now. So overall, the front looks clean and sober. From the side, the V40 again looks simple with minimal lines and somehow its silhouette resembles the Mercedes A-Class. From the rear, again it looks similar to the V40 Cross Country with similar tail lights and tail gate but features a different bumper. The interiors look very good and contemporary and just like other Volvos, we expect the V40 to also come with a lot of safety features and other tech.
Initially, Volvo will launch the V40 hatchback with the D3 diesel engine which is a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit churning out 152 PS of power and 360 Nm of torque. With an ARAI certified fuel efficiency of 16.8 km/l (for the Cross Country), we think the hatchback will deliver even better mileage. The V40 will also get a petrol engine at a slightly later stage. The vehicle will be brought down via the CBU route so expect it to be not-so-cheap. Volvo is targeting the Mercedes A-Class and the BMW 1-Series with the V40 so it’ll be priced between Rs. 25-30 lakhs (ex-showroom). But RTO charges on CBU models is higher than that on CKDs and locally made vehicles.
