Volvo Auto India formally launched the new V40 Cross Country compact crossover in Pune, India at a price which sees it taking on both sides of the competition in the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 as well as the Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class.
The new V40 CC D3, the sole available variant, is priced at Rs 28.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). It packs a 2.0-litre, inline-5 turbo-diesel engine making 150 PS and 350 Nm of torque, with the 6-speed Geartronic automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The new car promises all-round enjoyable performance with good acceleration, smooth gear shifts and commendable fuel economy of 16 km/l overall.
The V40 CC is the fifth model in the company’s India line-up and is also their smallest offering yet. The styling is nothing short of attractive, with the trademark front grille giving it a sharper appearance, the streamlined side profile accentuating its curves and the glass roof and hatch adding a sparkle to the overall package. The LED running lights and tail lamp cluster look stunning after dark and make it unmistakeably Volvo. Compared to the Volvo models available so far, the insides have been given a completely different treatment.
Yes, the soft leather upholstery is still there, as are the high quality, soft-touch plastics and dashboard; but look closely, and you see an LED digital information console and an illuminated gear shift lever. Volvo has introduced mood lighting in the V40 CC, which changes the appearance of the dials to match the mode chosen – Elegance, Eco or Performance. Elegance is the default setting, while Eco adds loads of green to the display with a speedometer taking up the central dial, indicating the fuel-saving nature of the drive. Performance mode turns everything red, with the central dial dominated by a big rev counter and digital speedo in the centre. Exciting! There are other little bits which are new as well, particularly in the rear. The V40 CC is essentially a four-seater. A fifth passenger is possible, but it will be a tight fit. Although, you may not really want a fifth person inside on account of the rear centre seat having an in-built cup-holder with the seat back opening out into an arm-rest. The outer sides of the rear seat also offer more storage space. Comfortable it certainly is then. The fixed glass roof looks fantastic and adds an airiness to the cabin. The retractable sun curtain is a nice touch for sunny days and a much needed part of the Indian configuration. Safety, as always, is a little over top notch too. City Safety, the company’s pioneer laser-assisted auto-brake system is standard, but now works up to 50 km/h, as opposed to 30 km/h when the system was launched back in 2010 in India on the XC60. The full complement of airbags is present, with a driver knee airbag being included for the first time as well.
The boot space isn’t as large as the XC60 or even the S60 for that matter, but for a smaller car, that is to be expected. However, the load area is wide and you can pretty much fit big bags whichever way you please. The V40 Cross Country, as the name suggests, is a model aimed at the active family. Yes, it is a sensible Volvo and probably even affordable to many looking for a premium all-rounder. The ground clearance of 145mm and 17-inch Larenta alloy wheels shod with 225/50 tyres may speak otherwise, but as we’ve come to see, the Swede cars have coped well with our roads. Nothing to worry about at all, then.
Speaking at the launch, Tomas Ernberg, Managing Director of Volvo Auto India, said, “Indian volumes for luxury cars are going up significantly and Volvo aims to grow as well. The company sold 400 units last year, and now the target is 1100-1200 units annually. The company hopes to sell 20,000 units per annum by the year 2020 with an aim for 15% share of the luxury car market. There are no plans for CKD operations as of now, because though fully imported, Volvo has managed to price the cars competitively in their respective segments.”
Ernberg added, “There are 12 dealers at present and the company is in the process of setting up 3 more. It’s not just about finding someone with available funds, they need to share the vision and commitment that Volvo has and pass that on to the customer for the best experience possible.”
He also said that as far as customer events go, Volvo Auto India will soon introduce activities like ‘Volvo XC Weekends’ where car owners and enthusiasts can explore the limits of their vehicles and take a deeper look at what Volvo’s values are and all that their cars have to offer. Another exciting statement was that Polestar, the company’s performance partner, would also arrive in the coming quarter. The high-performance models in their signature Rebel Blue shade will become available to driving enthusiasts looking for a dynamic package with a seemingly affordable price tag.
It certainly looks like an exciting year ahead for the Scandinavian company and we also hope to see more numbers of their distinctively styled cars on Indian roads.
