Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design India First Drive Review

On the road, the XC40 is quick to accelerate, with a good chunk of grunt available throughout the rev-range, starting low — the 400 Nm of torque peaks from 1,750 rpm and stays strong through the most used part of the rev-band. The revs pile reasonably quick and the gearing makes the best of the power-band. In Eco, it’s relaxed and shifts up fairly quickly, even before 2,500 rpm, while in Dynamic, it holds the revs all the way to 4,000 rpm. We even got to try out the Off-road mode, thanks to the many quarries around.

The road leading up to the quarries is plain dirt and undulating, mostly tackled only by heavy trucks. However, the XC40 make quick work of the surface, thanks to its 211-mm ground clearance and speeds that were far from slow. In Off-road mode — which lasts only up to about 35 km/h, before switching to the previous drive mode — the XC40 gives added confidence. Even with ESC in sport mode, accessible via the tablet interface, it behaves well and feels enjoyable letting loose in the mud. The torque distribution is reassuring indeed, and made for quick changes in direction even on the loose dirt.

Overall, the XC40 is built to be an all-rounder. Like I’ve said before, car companies are making now making cars for people who don’t know what they want, yet want everything possible, and in one form. This gives rise to ridiculous-looking contraptions that don’t do anything 100 per cent and just improvise in every way imaginable. However, when it comes to owning a compact car that shares more than genes and a badge with its more expensive siblings, with a lot more equipment than just a faux leather interior, a sunroof and a chromed badge on the steering wheel, the XC40 truly stands out head, shoulders and roof-rails over the competition. This is a serious car and not an exercise in badge-engineering for those with lofty ambitions but pockets not deep enough. It is aimed at the millennial buyer, who will, in all probability, face all sorts of road conditions, some rough-road conditions, ice, snow, mud, some steep slopes, and want something to tackle it all with aplomb, without having their bank balance take a hit or face the possibility of an incapable car lacking in essential safety features. Volvo have delivered yet again. The new XC40 may be small when it comes to size, but it’s big on everything else.

SAFETY FIRST

The Volvo XC40 may be late to the compact luxury SUV party but it comes packing some serious ammo, enough to annihilate its existing opposition on paper, on the road, and off the road as well. What’s really path-breaking? Here is the list of the features that you won’t find in any competitor car, or even several other cars this side of Rs 60 lakh.

Adaptive Cruise Control
This cruise control is radar-based and lets you set the speed and distance. The XC40 will follow the car in front, automatically slow down, brake, and speed up depending on traffic ahead. It can also be stationary and accelerate again in stop-and-go traffic. The system works from standstill to high triple-digit speeds.

Lane-keeping Aid
So long as there are lines on the road, the XC40 will actively keep itself between the lane-markings, should the driver, on their part, fail to do so.

Collision Mitigation
A part of the evolution of the first-generation City Safety with auto brake and audio-visual warning, the collision mitigation system prevents an imminent crash should the driver fail to respond in time. The system works from parking speeds to triple-digits, braking as much as possible within as little distance to minimize damage from the impact, if any.

Oncoming Collision Mitigation
Another world-first, as with lane-keeping aid, the XC40 will actively steer out of the way should it detect an oncoming vehicle in its path.

Active Bending Lights
Full-LED headlamps that change direction with the steering wheel to provide significantly better illumination around bends or in corners.

Need to Know – Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design

Price: Rs 40 lakh (estimated, ex-showroom)

Engine: 1,969 cc, in-line four, turbo-diesel
Max Power: 190 PS at 4,000 rpm
Max Torque: 400 Nm at 1,750-2,500 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed, automatic, all-wheel drive
Weight: 1,740 kg (approx)

Tags: car, compact suv, diesel, family car, india, luxury, New, safety, swedish, volvo xc40