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2013 Volvo V40 R-Design is swift safety in high style

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Volvo, Design/Style

As if we weren't already jealous enough about Europe getting one of the safest and most stylish Volvo cars ever made, the Swedish automaker goes and drops the R-Design treatment on its new hatchback/wagon. Unlike some other R-Design models, the 2013 Volvo V40 R-Design doesn't get any additional power under the hood, but it does come with a more aggressive styling and a lower, firmer suspension setup.

Looking like the world's edgiest Smurf, the V40 R-Design receives restyled fascias, some slick five-spoke alloy wheels and this exclusive paint color, Rebel Blue - although this model is also available in six other colors. Opting for the Sport chassis gives the five door an even sportier look and feel with a suspension that has been lowered by 10 millimeters. Volvo has made sure to give the V40 R-Design a cabin design that fits the upgraded exterior styling with features like embossed seats with a blue R-Design logo, blue background on the interactive gauge cluster, unique aluminum dash inlays and a black headliner. All of the black leather throughout the cabin is also accented with contrasting white stitching.

The V40 R-Design does carry over the same engine outputs compared to the regular V40 models, but this isn't exactly a bad thing about the car. Buyers can still get the car with the efficient 115-horsepower diesel engine or they can choose the 254-hp turbocharged inline-five. For improved handling, the springs, shocks and sway bars have all been tuned specifically for the V40 R-Design in cooperation with the Volvo Polestar Black R race team.

With the V40 already targeting younger buyers, Volvo expects this sporty new R-Design model to account for about 10 percent of the model's sales.

Scroll down to view Volvo's official press release.

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2013 Volvo V40 R-Design is swift safety in high style originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four-door Volvo C30 spotted... call it V30?

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Volvo

Don't let this test vehicle's proportions deceive you - there's stretched Volvo C30 architecture under all of that cladding. Yes, Volvo is working on expanding its C30 range with the addition of this, the upcoming V30, set to rival the Audi A3 and recently redone BMW 1 Series hatchback in Europe. There's also a high-riding crossover variant, tentatively dubbed XC30 (go figure) in the cards.

The V30 will launch along side or shortly after the next-generation C30 hatch, and this prototype previews the new 30 family's design. In front, we can see smaller, more angular headlamps that better mimic what we see on the S60, and around back, we can see a more shapely taillamp design, still incorporating Volvo's signature all-the-way-up-the-D-pillar lighting scheme.

Look for the V30 to officially debut in late 2012 or early 2013.

Four-door Volvo C30 spotted... call it V30? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Volvo plans XC30 CUV to join V30 wagon and C30 hatch

John Neff — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:24:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Volvo

We recently got confirmation from a Volvo PR person that the Swedish automaker's new C30 hatchback will soon be joined by a V30 five-door wagon. Just-Auto.com is going one step further by reporting that Volvo will also add a new XC CUV model to its lineup based on the C30 hatch to be called, not unsurprisingly, the XC30. Presumably it will also be a five-door model with all-wheel-drive that's jacked up off the ground a bit.

The burgeoning of Volvo's 30 series of cars will come at the expense of the S40 sedan, which will be merged with the larger S60 eventually creating a common mid-size sedan likely to retain the S60 name. The new S60 won't get a V-named wagon counterpart, however, which would be too close in concept to Volvo's standalone V70 and XC70 models. Do expect, however, an XC60 CUV model to be based on the XC60 Concept that debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit last January.

Finally, as we recently reported, rumors of the larger XC90's demise have been exaggerated and Volvo's largest SUV is expected to get a refresh soon and a full-on replacement eventually. Clearly, however, Volvo sees future profits by filling out its small car lineup with versions of the C30 hatchback that will sell well all over the world, and not just the U.S.

[Source: Just-Auto.com]

Gallery: Volvo C30 T5

REPORT: Volvo plans XC30 CUV to join V30 wagon and C30 hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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