Ms Skinnyfat

C: I was having fun playing with the bluetooth function which wirelessly connects my phone to the car, allowing me to play my favorite tunes and also receive and make calls without compromising on road safety. A USB port also allows for charging of my electrical devices, perfect for us digital natives. 

C: The leather interior was also very luxurious. I love the feel of fresh leather on my skin and couldn't stop touching the seat and panels. I was also glad to find out that the glove compartment doubles as a chiller for cold drinks! 

C: I'm used to being driven around and thus it was a little nerve wrecking for me to drive the car. However, i found the V40 easy to maneuver with its small turning radius. 

S: Having driven several Volvos, namely the S80 and the V60, i am happy to report that the signature volvo drive and feel is still intact, even in this compact package that is the V40.

S: The ride quality was firm and the steering assuring, though it bordered on being a little too light during low speed maneuvering. The digital display worked best in the Performance mode, with the speedometer rapidly racking up the digits under hard acceleration. The smallish boot was also able to swallow a full sized samsonite suitcase for an airport run.
S: We have also experienced the city safety system firsthand. This system is active at speeds up to 50km/h, allowing the car to brake automatically should the driver fail to react in time. I must emphasize that we were not in any real danger of a collision! Rather, the safety system kicked in when we were exiting an ERP gantry car park, and as the barrier failed to lift as we approached it at a low speed, the car ground to an abrupt halt. It is certainly good to know that the car has your back covered. :) Our overall impression of the V40 would be that of a reliable, safe (Five star Euro NCAP rating) and sporty little hatchback.

Thank you Volvo Singapore for the weekend ride! 

For more information on the V40 R Design, check out the Volvo website or head on down to your nearest showroom to give it a test drive. 

Here is a quick summary on our ride. 

Model: Volvo V40 T4 R-Design (Polestar)

Specs: 1,596cc In-line 4 cylinder with direct injection turbo, 200bhp

Speed: We managed a 0-100kph sprint in 8.2 seconds.
Fuel consumption: Volvo claims a combined consumption of 6.1L/100km for both city and highway driving.
Price: S$174,999 with COE (UP: S$200,000)
Alternatives BMW 1-series Hatchback, Audi A3 Sportback