The New Volvo S40
Published: 26th August 2003
Class-leading ride and handling combine with a choice of five-cylinder petrol engines, with a 220 bhp T5 model topping the range, as well as a four-cylinder, 136 bhp turbodiesel. Other, smaller four-cylinder petrol engines will join the range during 2004.
Production and Investment
The new Volvo S40 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium, which has been redesigned at a cost of 340 million Euros. Production starts in late 2003, with the first models expected in UK showrooms in late February, 2004. Meanwhile, the current S40 continues in production at Born in the Netherlands until mid-2004 to provide a full range of small Volvo saloons until the full new Volvo S40 range is available.
The sales target for new Volvo S40 in 2004 is 70,000 cars globally. The USA is expected to be the largest single market with at least 20,000 cars per annum, followed by the UK with approximately 8,000 cars a year.
The Future
The all-new Volvo S40 is the first in a new range of compact models
developed by Volvo sharing common technology. Next in line is the
Volvo V50, a premium, compact sportswagon that will follow in spring
2004.
