Volvo V40 Receives Drive-E Powertrain

Proliferation of the new Drive-E powertrains continues across Volvo’s vehicle line-up, with the V40 being the latest model to migrate over to the new engine family. Effectively immediately, the V40 line-up in Malaysia is consolidated to only one variant, namely the V40 T5, with the previous V40 T4 and V40 Cross Country discontinued for the moment.

Ditching the previous 5-cylinder powertrain, the new Volvo V40 T5 is now powered by the increasingly familiar 2.0-litre 4-cylinder setup that is shared with other models of the family. The 245hp/350Nm configuration seen here is, in the Malaysian market, shared with the XC60 T5 and represents an improvement of 32hp and 50Nm over the preceding engine.

Paired with an Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission, the new V40 T5 Drive-E powers from 0 to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and tops out at 240 km/h. Official fuel consumption is rated at 6.1 litres/100km in the European test cycle, corresponding to carbon dioxide emissions at 143 g/km.

All figures represent significant improvements from the 5-cylinder model, which registered 6.9 seconds, 7.5 litres/100km, and 174 g/km. The new one is also more maneuverable; its turning circle contracting from 11.7 metres kerb-to-kerb to just 11.1 metres – in parking lots, that’s can be the width of a pillar.

Outwardly, the updated fascia that grafts Volvo’s new corporate look into the V40’s nose complete with the distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ daytime running lights have not been made available for our market yet. So, updated engine aside, the new V40 T5 Drive-E retains the existing appearance with a change in rim colour from silver to space grey becoming the only external alteration for now.

As before, the V40 continues to offer a best-in-class levels of safety with autonomous emergency braking (City Safety), Blind Spot Information System, and Cross Traffic Alert being standard fit equipment along with active parallel parking assist.

Despite offering a new and improved engine, Volvo has commendably resisted the temptation to raise the V40 T5’s asking price, keeping it unchanged at RM192,888 on-the-road without insurance but inclusive of GST. Aftersales is covered by a 5-year warranty complete with 5-year Volvo-on-Call Roadside Assist.