Volvo V40 R-Design

The Volvo V40 R-Design has been revealed ahead of its official unveiling at the 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of this month. The hot-blooded R-Design variant of the new Volvo V40 is due to reach South African shores early next year, after the standard V40 arrives next month. The unique R-Design features a silk-metal framed high-gloss grille, diffuser, silk-metal finished details and twin exhaust tailpipes. The five-spoke 18-inch diamond-cut wheels complete dynamic look. The Volvo V40 R-Design also comes with the choice of five other exterior colours.

The interactive dashboard has the possibility to switch between three layouts with different configurations and functionality: Elegance, Eco and Performance. Customers will have the choice of Nubuk textile or full leather seats, crowned by an embroidered R-design logo with a blue “R”. Full leather seats are also available as an option. The interior includes a specially designed steering wheel, gear shifter, handbrake and sport pedals. The R-Design is enhanced by a combination of new aluminium inlays with a perforated look, black leather, matching stitching and a black headliner.

Engine wise, the Volvo V40 R-Design will be available with two engine derivatives: The V40 D3 Geartronic (110 kW and 350 Nm) and the T5 turbocharged petrol with 187 kW and 350 Nm of torque. The sports chassis has been developed in co-operation with Swedish racing driver Robert Dahlgren from the Volvo Polestar Black R team. The Sport chassis is lowered by 10 mm compared with the Dynamic chassis. Springs and shock absorbers have a firmer setting than standard.

The front McPherson struts have 25 mm piston rods. The extra stiffness enables the structure to better absorb lateral loads. At the rear the V40 has monotube dampers, featuring compression and return damping via the same valve. This gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which in turn means that the damper responds quicker. Anti-roll bars with an increased diameter also contribute to the sporty drive.

“The Sport chassis offers the enthusiastic driver a feeling of total control. You get both the connected response that makes a winding country road so much fun as well as the precise, nimble moves it takes to stay on top of busy urban traffic,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo expects that around 10% of all V40 buyers will choose the R-Design version. Initially, Volvo will be launching with the all-new V40 in T3 manual, T4 manual, D2 manual and D3 Geartronic derivatives. The Volvo V40 R-Design, will be available from February 2013.

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