The New Volvo S40
Published: 26th August 2003
From the outside, the new Volvo S40 is unmistakably a Volvo with
its strong, stylish design features.
The interior is quite a revolution, with an ultra-slim centre console
that appears to be free-floating – the first of its kind in
the automotive world – creating extra storage space behind
it, and an aura of Scandinavian style, exclusivity and space.
"The centre console is a unique design icon for the new Volvo S40," says Henrik Otto, Design Director at Volvo Cars.
"We intend to pursue our position as innovators in the car design world, not looking at what our competitors are doing – but, more valuably, what they’re not doing," continues Henrik Otto.
Class-Leading Safety
In the new Volvo S40, Volvo continues its groundbreaking use of high-tensile steel. In the new frontal structure, four different grades of steel are used in a high-tech interplay to provide maximum safety for the car’s occupants.
"Naturally, our goal is that the new Volvo S40 should be the safest car in its class, offering precisely the same safety levels as our larger models but within more compact dimensions," says Hans-Olov Olsson.
