By Manny N. de los Reyes
RESURGENT Volvo, enjoying unprecedented growth in both the local and global automotive markets, has yet another surefire hit on its hands. It’s the Swedish car maker’s smallest-ever SUV, and it’s called the XC40.
The premium car maker from Goteborg brings a new standard of safety and user experience to the small SUV premium segment with the official launch of the Volvo XC40 in the Philippines, held at the Sunset Bar of Sofitel Philippine Plaza late last month.
Developed around the challenges of modern city living, the XC40 aims to make the daily urban commute less stressful and more enjoyable, as drivers in the segment can now rely on the award-winning safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies known from Volvo’s acclaimed XC60 and XC90 SUVs.
“The XC40 is our first car in this rapidly growing segment and has a clear focus on navigating today’s hectic city environments. Building on Volvo’s heritage as the leader in safety, the new XC40 will offer the best possible safety standards combined with an easy-to-use interface and convenient connected services,” said Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo cars president and chief executive.
The new XC40 is Volvo’s first car out on its new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) and includes a range of groundbreaking technologies first introduced in its 60- and 90 Series siblings based on Volvo’s larger Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).
Volvo’s approach to safety and user experience builds on a philosophy it calls the Circle of Life: a constant improvement of standards and technologies, based on consumer insights and real life data.
Smart safety and driver assistance features offered on the XC40 include Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake, and the 360-degree camera that helps drivers maneuver their car into tight parking spaces. These and other technologies make the XC40 one of the best-equipped premium SUVs.
“Modern city life presents complex challenges for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. With the XC40, we aim to reduce the so-called cognitive load on the driver. While our safety and driver assistance systems actively identify and mitigate potential conflicts, you as a driver can relax more and therefore enjoy city driving,” said Malin Ekholm, Vice-President Volvo Cars Safety Center.
While the starting point for each new Volvo is the most advanced safety and driver assistance systems, the new XC40 also benefits from the high levels of safety and infotainment found in its larger stablemates.
“We built a confident, easy-to-use, and convenient everyday user experience based on real-life interaction and research, starting from our foundation of leading safety. The XC40 is a car for a generation of consumers that expect full connectivity. All screens have been optimized for a safe, easy, and efficient interaction, to support active city driving,” said Ödgärd Andersson, Vice-President Vehicle Software & Electronics at Volvo Cars.
“Like the larger XC60 and XC90 SUVs, the XC40 features Volvo’s connected Sensus infotainment system, centered around the now familiar large, portrait-oriented touchscreen. Easy to use and intuitive, the Sensus interface allows drivers to access a host of functions and services,” concluded Mr. Andersson.
The new XC40 comes in three variants: the XC40 D3 Momentum at P3,350,000; the XC40 D3 R-Design at P3,495,000; and the top-of-the-line XC40 T5 AWD R-Design at P3,895,000.
Available colors are Bursting Blue, Onyx Black, Crystal White, Bright Silver, Osmium Gray, and Fusion Red.
