volvo v40 - Motorlux

Reprinted from
Issue 1,246
Interior
Driving
Safety
Stylish, minimalist design
and comfortable seats are
familiar Volvo touches. Build
quality is better than Merc’s.
v40 is relaxed rather than fun to
drive, soaking up bumps well,
and is a more settled cruiser
than the A-Class. Plus, powerful
engine is smoother.
THE V40 was awarded the
highest score ever seen in Euro
NCAP crash tests, due to its
suite of unique safety tech,
including a pedestrian airbag.
hhhHH
hhhh
hhhhH
Road test verdict
Volvo v40 beats
Mercedes A-Class
“Sleek looks to match the Mercedes and a luxurious and
welcoming interior are the V40’s big strengths...”
Road test
Mercedes
A200 CDI
BlueEfficiency Sport
Price: £24,720
Engine: 1.8-litre 4cyl, 134bhp
0-60mph: 8.0 seconds
Test economy: 41.3mpg/6.8mpl
CO2: 114g/km
Annual road tax: £30
Why? The A-Class disappointed
in its first test, but now the diesel
version promises to deliver a
softer and smoother ride.
Mercedes A-Class vs Volvo V40
Mercedes A-Class vs Volvo V40
Road test
Pictures: Pete Gibson
Location: Longcross Proving
Ground, Chobham, Surrey
Volvo V40
D3 SE Lux
Price: £24,845
Engine: 2.0-litre 5cyl, 148bhp
0-60mph: 8.5 seconds
Test economy: 38.7mpg/7.3mpl
CO2: 114g/km
Annual road tax: £30
Why? Like the new Mercedes, the
V40 is aimed at style-conscious
buyers who want to be noticed. As
a result, the powerful five-cylinder
D3 version should be a tough rival.
Ahead
by
design?
equally
Stunning new A-Class diesel takes on
Mercedes will be hoping the new A-Class
can make a quick recovery. The hot petrolengined A250 AMG model suffered a heavy
defeat at the hands of key class rivals from Audi
and BMW in the A-Class’ first test in Issue 1,239.
Although we loved the modern exterior and
the smart design on the inside, the car was let
down by its rock-hard ride, indecisive gearbox
2
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and disappointing handling. So, can the diesel
A-Class succeed where the petrol model failed?
The £24,720 A200 CDI Sport rides on
standard suspension, rather than a firm
sports set-up, and promises a better balance
of ride and handling. Facing the Mercedes
is the sleek Volvo V40. Like the A-Class,
it trades on its style and upmarket appeal,
stylish Volvo
and the V40 came close to beating the
BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 in Issue 1,236.
That makes it a stern test for any newcomer.
The V40 SE Lux we tested is loaded with
equipment, and its unique five-cylinder
engine outguns the A-Class for power,
but matches its low emissions –
so the final result should be close.
3
Road test
DESPITE marking its road test debut
with a humiliating defeat to its closest
rivals from Audi and BMW, the latest A-Class
is proving popular with buyers – Mercedes
has a healthy order book, with interest stirred
up by the catwalk looks. But can this diesel
model offer up more substance than the
pricey petrol car that lost out last time?
Fortunately for those attracted to its looks,
the A200 CDI is every bit as desirable as the
hot hatch-rivalling A250 AMG Sport. Even
with smaller 17-inch alloys and slender air
intakes, the stunning design hasn’t been
diluted, and the squat, low stance and SL-style
headlight clusters mean it really turns heads.
If customers want to give the styling even
more bite, they can opt for the £1,290 Night
pack, which adds bigger wheels and gloss black
inserts on the grille and door mirrors, plus
brighter xenon lamps and dark privacy glass.
The A-Class is shorter and lower than
the Volvo V40, and looks more purposeful
up close. Mercedes’ styling verve spills over
into the interior, too, with some modern
touches setting the car apart inside.
The fixed, tablet-style display is smart
and easily controlled via a wheel on the
centre console, while the three-spoke sports
steering wheel is trimmed in attractive
perforated leather. This Sport model gets
silver-painted dials that are much easier
to read than the bland standard items, but
the dot-matrix display between them looks
dated compared to the TFT dials in the V40.
Some of the plastics also trail the Volvo’s
on quality, and the cup-holders in particular
feel flimsy. The firm seats and fixed headrests
are meant to look sporty – but in reality, they
make it harder for drivers to get comfortable.
The combination of black rooflining and
a high dash means the A-Class feels cramped,
while small windows and thick C-pillars make
Mercedes A-Class vs Volvo V40
Mercedes A-Class vs Volvo V40
Slick auto gearbox and
close ratios make A200
quick in a straight line
sts
ing co
Runn(on
test) £71 fill-up
41.3mpg
Cabin looks modern, although quality is mixed bag. Curved tail-lights limit access to boot
mance
Perfor
h
secs Top speed 130mp
0-60 8.0
Does high-spec diesel model
show new A-Class in better light?
Mercedes A200 CDI
Styling
Interior
Driving
Costs
Practicality
Safety
hhhhH
hhh
hhh
hhh
hhh
hhhh
SNUB-nosed and compact
A-Class looks great in Sport
trim thanks to alloy wheels
and rising chrome beltline.
Modern cabin gets neat
touches such as iPad-style
display and silver dials, but
material quality is mixed.
while rough roads still
expose harsh ride, Merc
grips well on smooth roads
and is quick off the line.
STRONG residuals and low
running costs ensure CDI
is attractive as a company
car. But options are pricey.
CONTOURED shape means
boot is small, although
there’s more headroom
than you get in the Volvo.
A-CLASS hasn’t yet been
tested by Euro NCAP, but
with seven airbags and
ESP, it should score well.
Large alloys and firm seats with
fixed headrests look sporty, but it’s
hard for driver to get comfortable
Rear is more spacious
than Volvo’s, yet tall front
seats make it claustrophobic
4
Road test
matters worse. Plus, blind spots are a real issue
at junctions, due to the narrow rear screen.
Despite its restrictive design, the Mercedes
is slightly roomier than the Volvo. The 341-litre
boot is only six litres bigger than the V40’s, and
the curved rear lights intrude on the load bay,
but rear passengers will appreciate the A-Class’
extra headroom, even if the high-backed front
seats create a claustrophobic environment. Our
car came with a £170 optional storage pack
that includes luggage nets in the front seats,
hidden cubbies and a sunglasses holder, but
you might expect these to feature as standard.
On paper, the Mercedes should trail the
Volvo, as its 1.8-litre engine (a slimmed-down
version of the 2.1-litre diesel in the A220 CDI)
produces less power and torque.However,
thanks to its seven-speed automatic box and
wider tyres, the A-Class was faster off the line
than the V40 and also reacted more quickly
in-gear, due to its close ratios. Yet the way it
delivers its performance leaves a lot to be
www.autoexpress.co.uk
“Sluggish throttle and
grumbling engine
make A200 tiresome
on longer journeys”
Go od
One look at the stylish
A-Class could be enough
to tempt you away from
its much blander rivals.
not so go od
With smaller wheels and
softer springs, we hoped
A200 would ride better,
but it’s still really harsh.
ality Boot
Practicwn
) 341/1,157 lts
(seats up/do
Stiff suspension means
firm ride, but great
handling, too
desired. A sluggish throttle response and
grumbling engine note make it tiresome
on longer trips, while the dual-clutch auto
is often slow to react, even in manual mode.
Previously, we criticised the A-Class for
its firm suspension but, because it was fitted
with the Comfort set-up, our test car felt less
crashy than the A250 – although it’s still much
firmer than its closest rivals. The advantages
are strong cornering and virtually no body
roll, yet the A-Class can be wearing to drive
as it thumps and crashes over potholes.
One area where this CDI did impress was
at the pumps – it returned 41.3mpg on a mixed
route and beat the heavier Volvo. Do the sums
and there’s more good news for the Mercedes,
as it should hold its price better and will cost
fleet buyers less to tax. You can also save
£1,500 by opting for the six-speed manual box.
But the car does without a lot of the luxury kit
and cutting-edge safety features the V40 has as
standard, and the options list is long and pricey.
www.autoexpress.co.uk
5
Road test
mance h
Perfor
secs Top speed 130mp
Spec
0-60 8.5
Sheet
On the road price/total as tested
Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000)
Depreciation
Annual tax liability std/higher rate
Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles)
Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost
Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service
Volvo V40 D3
The A-Class isn’t the only all-new
contender in the premium hatchback
class. The Volvo V40 is another stylish-looking
five-door, and it has the right credentials to be
a strong alternative to the sporty Mercedes.
On the outside, the V40 matches the A200
CDI for style. The bold nose and distinctive
lines are neat, and a longer body means it
looks sleeker than the squat Mercedes. The
large black tailgate emulates the ageing C30
three-door, but even with twin exhausts it
doesn’t look quite as neat as the A-Class. And
the small wheels featured on the SE-spec
car in our pictures don’t fill the arches.
Still, the interior can’t be faulted for its
smart design. It looks modern, with Volvo’s
familiar circular controls, keypad and climate
control switches logically laid out on the
slender centre console. Our car came with
the optional TFT digital dials and illuminated
gearlever (£350), which look smart.
Comfort is another highlight. The plush
leather seats are supportive and, while rear
legroom is tighter than in the A-Class, larger
rear windows and light headlining mean it
feels more airy. Heated seats, rain-sensing
wipers and bi-xenon headlights are standard
on SE Lux models, as is keyless entry.
Boot space is tight, with only 335 litres
available – although both cars lag well behind
the class-leading VW Golf and BMW 1 Series
for capacity. Folding the rear seats raises this
to 1,032 litres, which is 125 litres behind the
A-Class, but useful touches include a folding
boot floor, bag hooks and under-floor storage.
Also, the V40’s rear loading hatch has a wider
opening than the narrow Mercedes.
The 2.0-litre D3 diesel is powerful, and
marked out by its distinctive five-cylinder
soundtrack. However, our SE test car was held
back by its skinny tyres, and was five-tenths
slower than the A-Class from 0-60mph at the
test track, with a time of 8.5 seconds. Despite
having a useful 50Nm more torque, it also
trailed in our in-gear tests. In the real world,
the difference is barely perceptible, while the
Classy interior and
generous kit make
Volvo a contender
Styling hhhh
Distinctive design gives the
A-Class a run for its money,
although V40 looks better
in bolder colours than our
Biarritz Blue test model.
Interior hhhHH
Stylish, minimalist design
and comfortable seats are
familiar Volvo touches. Build
quality is better than Merc’s.
Driving hhhh
v40 is relaxed rather than fun
to drive, soaking up bumps
well, and is a more settled
cruiser than the A-Class. Plus,
powerful engine is smoother.
Costs hhh
our £24,845 SE Lux is pricier
than the Sport-spec Mercedes
and won’t keep its value as
well. Yet SE spec has similar
equipment for £2,000 less.
Practicality
hhh
boot trails on space here,
but has some neat touches.
Rear seats feel roomier thanks
to the larger rear windows.
Cabin is roomy,
comfortable,
attractive and
well laid out
6 xx Xxxxxxxxxx 2012
Safety hhhhH
sts
ing co
Runn(on
test) £85 fill-up
38.7mpg
THE V40 was awarded the
highest score ever seen in
Euro NCAP crash tests, due to
its suite of unique safety tech,
including a pedestrian airbag.
ality Bootlts
Practicwn
) 335/1,032
(seats up/do
“Boot space is tight,
but V40 has a wider
opening than the
narrow Mercedes”
smooth and refined D3 diesel engine is less
intrusive than the A-Class on the motorway.
Our model’s smaller wheels boosted comfort
further, but we’d expected a bigger difference
over the A-Class, with rough surfaces exposing
a lack of composure in both cars. The V40 is also
less planted in corners, with more body roll and
steering that lacks weight and feedback. Plus, it
trailed on economy, returning a disappointing
38.7mpg – well short of the claimed figures.
Our £24,845 D3 SE Lux is £125 more
than the A200 CDI Sport, but even the lesser
SE has more kit and undercuts the A-Class –
although a six-speed automatic box is a £1,485
option on both models. Overall, the Volvo is a
compelling package that takes a very different
approach to the Mercedes. Is it a winner?
www.autoexpress.co.uk
Length/wheelbase
Height/width
Engine
Peak power/revs
Peak torque/revs
Transmission
Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel
Boot capacity (seats up/down)
Kerbweight/payload/towing weight
Turning circle/drag coefficient
Basic warranty (miles)/recovery
Service intervals/UK dealers
Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos.
Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars
0-60/30-70mph
30-50mph in 3rd/4th
50-70mph in 5th/6th/7th
Top speed/rpm at 70mph
Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph
Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range
Noise outside/idle/30/70mph
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined
Govt urban/extra-urban/combined
Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket
Airbags/Isofix/rear parking sensors
Automatic box/stability/cruise control
Climate control/leather/heated seats
Metallic paint/xenons/keyless go
Sat-nav/USB/DAB/Bluetooth
mercedes
a200 cdi
volvo V40
d3 se lux
£24,720/£32,735
£24,845/£26,945
£11,198/45.3%
£9,491/38.2%
£13,522
£15,354
£789/£1,579
£793/£1,587
£1,874/£3,124
£2,000/£3,334
21/£589/C/£30
23/£408/C/£30
£175/£440/£175
£315/£400/£315
4,292/2,699mm
4,369/2,647mm
1,433/1,780mm
1,445/1,802mm
4cyl in-line/1,796cc 5cyl in-line/1,984cc
134/3,600 bhp/rpm 148/3,500 bhp/rpm
300/1,600 Nm/rpm 350/1,600 Nm/rpm
7-spd auto/fwd
6-spd manual/fwd
50 litres/foam
60 litres/foam
341/1,157 litres
335/1,032 litres
1,475/525/1,400kg 1,484/536/1,500kg
11.0m/0.27Cd
10.8m/0.29Cd
3yrs (unltd)/4yrs
3yrs (60k)/3yrs
Variable/136
18,000 (1yr)/136
8th/10th
10th/14th
N/A
98/75/88/5
8.0/7.8 secs
8.5/8.3 secs
3.1/4.0 secs
3.4/5.1 secs
5.8/7.7/10.2 secs
6.6/8.5 secs/N/A
130mph/1,800rpm 130mph/1,800rpm
48.2/34.5/9.1m
49.1/35.0/9.8m
70/46/63/70dB
66/47/63/70dB
41.3/6.8/454 miles 38.7/7.3/511 miles
56.5/70.6/65.7mpg 53.3/74.3/65.7mpg
12.4/15.5/14.5mpl 11.7/16.3/14.5mpl
Seven/yes/£690*
Eight/yes/£325
Yes/yes/yes
£1,485/yes/yes
£530/£1,480*/£300 Yes/yes/yes
£570/£1,430*/no
£550/yes/yes
£495/yes/£420/yes £1,200*/y/£325/y
James SAYS: Personally, I think the Volvo
has one of the best interiors in this class. The
luxurious seats and minimalist design add to
the car’s soothing feel. The forthcoming R-Design
model should also give the V40 a sportier edge
and help it to tackle sharper-driving rivals from
Mercedes
James Disdale
and BMW.
James_Disdale@dennis.co.uk
owen SAYS: While the A-Class CDI feels better to
drive than the wayward petrol model, it still falls
well short of being a cosseting family hatchback.
Even in Comfort spec, the ride is unrelentingly
firm. If you plan to carry passengers regularly,
you might be better off considering a softer
alternative, such
Owen Mildenhall
as the VW Golf.
Owen_Mildenhall@dennis.co.uk
What do you think?
Tell us about your car
2013
www.autoexpress.co.uk
ets
ange secr
R
d to know
Buying facts you nee
CLeanest A-Class?
ONLY one model in the new A-Class range
dips below the magic 100g/km CO2 barrier
– the A180 CDI with a manual gearbox.
This features a 109bhp 1.5-litre engine
which emits 98g/km of CO2 and returns
an official economy figure of 74.3mpg.
FOur-Door Model?
YES, a saloon version of the A-Class is on
the way as part of a range of new models
based on the same platform – which will
even stretch to a small SUV. The four-door,
called the CLA, is due late next year, and
will get the same bold styling and ‘chrome
matrix’ grille as the CSC styling concept
seen at April’s Beijing Motor Show.
183/114g/km/16% 196/114g/km/16%
Testers’ notes
Your views on your cars
*Part of pack. Bold = equipment fitted to our test car. Insurance quotes from AA (Tel 0800 107 0680 or www.theAA.com) for a male, aged 42, living in Banbury, Oxon, with three penalty points.
Mercedes A-Class vs Volvo V40
www.autoexpress.co.uk/driverpower
SPORTIER VOLVO?
ALTHOUGH we tested the V40 in SE Lux
trim, the aggressive R-Design version is
available to order now. Racy styling tweaks
include a lower air intake and chunkier
bumpers, while the flagship T5 petrol
version delivers 247bhp. Race specialist
Polestar has tuned the suspension and
the R-Design is available in Rebel Blue.
ioyounrsa-class
ptooimppt
To
ve
ro
ras
ext
nN
ight
Package £1,290
Comprises 18-inch wheels, dark glass,
xenons, gloss black trim to lift styling.
nD
AB
radio tuner £420
Crystal-clear digital radio system
offers a huge range of stations.
Road test
Verdict
THIS was a chance for the new A-Class to redeem
itself and justify the intense showroom interest. Yet
while this A200 CDI has more to offer then the petrol
car we tested first, it remains flawed as a family hatch.
We love its sharp styling and contemporary
design inside and out, but the unforgiving dynamic
set-up and claustrophobic cabin make far too many
sacrifices to passenger comfort. Add in a gruff diesel
engine, plus intrusive wind and road noise, and the
A-Class falls well short of the standards set by rivals.
If the Comfort suspension offered some relief
from the stiffly sprung chassis, the A200 CDI would
be much easier to recommend. The car is efficient
and surprisingly quick, and company buyers will
be tempted by its low running costs.
In contrast, the shapely V40 is better equipped
and far more relaxing to drive. The five-cylinder D3
engine injects the Volvo with more character and
performance than the D2 that lost out last time we
tested the V40. While it lacks the Mercedes’ grip and
composure at speed, the car is more relaxing in town
and on motorways. It’s easier to live with as a result.
Both cars compromise a certain amount of
practicality for the sake of exterior style, but
the A-Class goes one step further than the well
rounded V40 – and pays a high price for it.
Winner
Volvo V40
D3 se lux
HHHHH
SLEEK looks to match the Mercedes and a luxurious
and welcoming interior are the V40’s big strengths
– yet the characterful five-cylinder engine mixes
punchy performance and low running costs, too. The
relaxed driving experience doesn’t offer the same
level of driver engagement as rivals, but the Volvo
is a better equipped and more rounded family car.
nH
eated
front seats £300
Three-stage electric heated seats
will keep you warm in the winter.
2nd
Mercedes
A200 CDi
nB
ecker
sat-nav £495
HHHHH
Neat plug-in module turns standard
audio system into navigation unit.
nS
torage
Pack
£170
Brings handy luggage nets for the
seatbacks and footwells, and hidden
storage boxes under front seats.
THE A-Class put up a better fight in this test, and the
margin of victory was narrow. But there’s no excusing
the bone-shaking ride and claustrophobic interior,
and all its rivals offer more performance for similar or
less money. The diesels are the pick of the range, but
despite those looks, the A-Class is hard to recommend.
7
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