| Ford Motor Company's Volvo Cars Division has just | | | | the exhaust pipes, part of the vehicle's flowmaster |
| released the redesigned 2008 Volvo S40 and the new | | | | exhaust system. |
| Volvo V50 that will roll out in the entry-level luxury car | | | | Steve Harper, designer of the Volvo S40 and V50 |
| market segment and aims to draw the attention of | | | | commented: "The new, lower and more horizontal |
| young auto enthusiasts. | | | | appearance radiates smooth power. This impression is |
| "When the cars were introduced almost four years | | | | reinforced when the car is seen from the side. At the |
| ago, we emphasised that they gave buyers the | | | | rear, it is the shape of the new tail lamps and the new |
| properties of the larger Volvo models but in a more | | | | bumper that further boost the dynamic appearance". |
| compact format. Now we're taking this approach one | | | | "Here, we've created visual vertical elements in order |
| step further by increasing the 'grown-up' quality | | | | to further emphasise the new grille. The improved |
| perception even more. At the same time we are | | | | shape and position of the exhaust tailpipes is a good |
| accentuating the differences between the two models. | | | | example of how a little extra visual touch can create a |
| The new S40 moves closer to the Volvo S80 while | | | | highly potent impression." he added. |
| the new V50 is more like the new Volvo V70." said | | | | Inside, the Volvo S40 and V50 models are equipped |
| Fredrik Arp, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. | | | | with luxurious, comfortable, and refined interior with |
| "What is more, the reasons for choosing the S40 are | | | | larger and more intelligent centre console, new |
| much more emotional than before. Today's buyers | | | | upholstery and green highlight colour, sliding cover, and |
| speak enthusiastically of its sporty design and driving | | | | flexible armrest, and premium audio system with |
| pleasure. We're also increasingly winning the image and | | | | Dynaudio loudspeaker. Customers can also choose |
| prestige match against our toughest competitors. The | | | | between different interior trims like the new grained |
| design team exploited every available cubic centimetre | | | | leather. |
| in an intelligent way. The all-new design of the centre | | | | Harper commented about the vehicles' interior. He said: |
| console and the door inside panels, for instance, has | | | | "The criticism of the current models' limited storage |
| increased storage capacity and added even greater | | | | space served as high-octane fuel when the time |
| flexibility to the interior." Arp explained. | | | | came to sketch the new interior of the S40 and V50. |
| "The Volvo S40 and V50 not only account for | | | | We weren't entirely satisfied until we felt we had |
| one-third of our total sales volume in 2007; they also | | | | exploited every single available cubic centimetre in an |
| play a vital role in reinforcing the Volvo brand. The new | | | | efficient way. |
| models sharpen their competitiveness in every | | | | "We've even utilised the small spaces that are usually |
| important area and I am convinced that together with | | | | simply covered over when they're not housing controls |
| the new C30, they will attract even more new and | | | | for options or accessories. Now instead, the space |
| younger buyers." he added. | | | | has been converted into a handy compartment, for |
| Both the S40 and V50 models share the same | | | | instance for a mobile phone. After all, the phone is not |
| exterior design cues from the Swedish automaker. | | | | something we should be using while driving, anyway. |
| The vehicles now features a new grille with a larger | | | | The green upholstery is entirely in line with the |
| Volvo iron mark, new headlamps, lower air intake, | | | | increasing demand for personalised choices by our |
| bumper with integrated reflectors in the lower corners, | | | | customers. We started with blue and red upholstery in |
| optional active Bi-Xenon headlamps, and the new | | | | the new Volvo C30, and now we are introducing |
| black egg-crate grille design for the sporty Volvo V50. | | | | green in the new S40 and V50. I'm sure it's going to be |
| Moreover, the vehicles also feature horizontal lines on | | | | very popular." he further explained. |