Volvo XC40

Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has streamlined its hybrid vehicle line-up, presenting the 2024 model year Volvo XC40.

A mild-hybrid version of the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the SUV underpins the same Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform (Volvo-Geely).

Locally-assembled (CKD - Shah Alam), the single variant (XC40 B5 Ultimate) offered is priced at MYR 268,888 (OTR, w/o insurance).

Included is a five-year/unlimited-mileage standard warranty, an eight-year/160,000 KM battery warranty, a five-year/100,000 KM free service package, and a five-year free roadside assistance.

Six exterior colours (Fjord Blue, Black Stone, Crystal White, Vapour Grey, Silver Dawn, Sage Green). 

The new XC40 B5 gets a tiered dashboard design, airy and practical with premium quality materials and craftsmanship.

A Black theme, accentuating the hard-panelled top section is a map-inspired backlit topography mid-section and a Charcoal finished bottom section.

Gloss Black trims are detailed around the air-conditioning vents and infotainment, and linked to the dash is a Gloss Black/Charcoal centre console with a Crystal gear shifter.

Overall, it is minimalist inspired, and the cockpit layout is user-friendly and driver-oriented, ensuring a better driving experience.

High-quality, the interior is in Connect Suede textile/Microtech fabric upholstery, finished in Charcoal with White stitching.

Fitted are Comfort Seats (front) with electronic-adjustments (multi-way, 4-way lumbar, driver-memory), seat cushion extensions (manual), and a centre armrest. 

The rear gets a bench (60:40 split-fold) with mechanical release full-flat folding, a central armrest, and power-fold headrests.

Completing the layout is a fixed panoramic glass sunroof (dark tint, UV protect), a Charcoal headliner, and Charcoal sport floor mats.

A fairly-sized five-seater, the SUV offers plenty of interior mobility, meaning front and rear occupants get ample space. Sufficient head-, shoulder-, and leg-room. 

Numerous storage areas. E.g., door and seat back pockets, centre console partitioned and caverned spaces (armrest storage), driver-dash card holder, and an extensible hook-integrated glove box.

Mounted is a three-spoke sport steering wheel, wrapped in upholstery-matching faux leather with Silver trimmings. 

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, Media, Vehicle settings), column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and a heating function. 

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Provided are four cup holders (two - front, rear), and four bottle holders (two - front, rear).

Accessing its powered-tailgate (contactless - remote/key fob) with height adjustment, opens up to 1,209-Litres (seats up) and 1,281-Litres (seats down) of load spaces. 

Tipping the scale at 1,875 KG, the new XC40 B5 stands at 4,425 MM in length, 1,873 MM in width, 1,658 MM in height, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,702 MM.

A recognisable outlook, it exudes an all-around angular exterior, emphasised by smoothly straight creases.

The front-end sees a Gloss Black grille with the Volvo insignia, compensated by a fairly stretched-out lower central intake.

Filling-in the outlook are lower body trims (front, sides, fenders) finished in Matte Charcoal/Gloss Black, and Gloss Black side window surrounds.

Angularly elegant, it boasts a sporty overall layout with symmetrical contours and equipment fitments.

The typical SUV roofline rear-end features a shark fin antenna, a roof-edge spoiler, and the ‘Volvo’ script (centre tailgate).

Filling-in the outlook are lower body trims (rear, skid plate, sides, fenders) finished in Matte Charcoal/Gloss Black, and Gloss Black side window surrounds. 

Projecting a focus outlook, the headlamps installed are Pixel LED units with Thor’s Hammer LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). 

Features are automatic On/Off, automatic high-beam control, and low-speed manoeuvre function. Also included is a set of LED fog lamps. 

Unique and striking, the wrapped-around tail lamps cover the top half of the rear, creating an inverted L-shaped frame. Fitted are LED combination units.

Black-capped (Gloss Black Stone), the side mirrors are electronically-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with turn- and blind spot-indicators, automatic-dimming, and memory.

Aerodynamically designed, mounted is a set of 19-Inch five-Y-spoke Matte Graphite Diamond Cut alloy rims, rubbered-up in 235/50 R19 (front, rear) Michelin e-Primacy tyres.

The new XC40 B5 gets the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are City Safety suite (collision avoidance & mitigation with intersection support for pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection with steering support and braking), front and rear collision warning and mitigation support, Driver Alert Control, Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Run-Off Road Mitigation with Road Edge Detection, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist, Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) with Autobrake, Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, Pilot Assist, Park Assist 360-degree camera, and Run-Off Road Protection.

Other standard systems include Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS), Brake Override System (BOS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Hill Descent Control (HDC), and Indirect Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (iTPMS).

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, front side, driver knee, front-rear curtain), Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with Dual Chamber SIPS Airbags, front seat Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), seatbelts (anchors, reminders, pre-tensioners), ISOFIX, parking sensors (six - front-rear), rear-view camera (dynamic guidelines), door ajar warning, tempered side windows, automatic headlamps (high-beam, cornering), automatic wipers (rain sensing), auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior), emergency brake signal, auto central locking door, and engine immobiliser with anti-theft.

Three selectable drive modes (Passive, Comfort, Drive).

Equipped is a 9-Inch portrait-mounted touchscreen infotainment, running on an Android Automotive Operating System (Android Auto OS). 

The system supports Google Automotive Services (Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play Store), and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless).

The new XC40 B5 harbours a mild-hybrid powertrain, fusing a petrol engine and an electric motor.

Featured is a 2.0-Litre four-cylinder turbocharged DOHC engine (252 HP at 5,500 to 5,800 RPM, 350 NM at 1,800 to 4,800 RPM), and an electric motor (Kinetic Energy Recovery braking system - KERS - 11 HP, 40 NM). 

Combined output reads at 263 HP at 5,500 RPM and 390 NM at 1,800 to 4,800 RPM.

Mated to the setup is an eight-speed Geartronic automatic transmission.

Power is sent to all four wheels, via an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 6.4 seconds.

Fuel consumption is 7.7-Litre for every 100 KM/H.

The new XC40 B5 gets these conveniences.

E.g., keyless entry (engine On/Off button), dual-zone Electronic Climate Control (ECC) (rear air vents, clean zone PM2.5 air purifier), electric cabin heater/cooler, humidity sensor, electronically-powered front seats (multi-way, lumbar, driver memory), steering wheel (multi-switches, column adjustments, EPS), automatic headlamps (On/Off, high-beam, cornering), automatic wipers (rain sensing), auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior), parking sensors (six - front-rear), rear-view camera (dynamic guidelines), 360-degree camera, powered-tailgate (contactless - remote/key fob, height adjust), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, wireless charger, interior lighting (ambient, foot, reading, boot), Google Automotive Services, fixed panoramic glass sunroof (dark tint, UV protect), and armrests (front, rear).

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. The cabin experience is refined and peaceful, courtesy of the fitted tempered glass (side windows).

The new Volvo XC40 B5 Ultimate exudes a sleek and energy filled outlook. Its smoothly angular and seamless body contours is strong in character.

Interior-wise, its shell envelopes a tech-savvy cockpit, featuring advanced connectivity, safety systems and creature comfort features.

Overall, the build quality is excellent, and with its distinctive outlook and energising powertrain, the new XC40 B5 is surely an SUV to consider.