New Car Review Areas


General Car Topics

Volvo V50 Review

December 2005
Filed under: VOLVO Car News | VOLVO Headlines

Latest VOLVO Headlines

The new Volvo V50 shares the same philosophy and virtues as previous sportswagons from Volvo. The Volvo V50 is the perfect car for people who want a youthful, cool look. And it comes with a valuable “bonus” – the practical details and extra loading space.
The design language and the equipment level in the new Volvo V50 are also taking a step upwards – towards the larger estate model, the Volvo V70.
The new Volvo V50 is a genuine premium car, with properties that appeal directly to young families on the move. They have one or two children. They are active people looking for a premium car.

The ultimate design icon of the new Volvo V50

The most distinctive feature inside the new Volvo V50 is the unique, super-slim, free-floating centre stack that elegantly links the tunnel console with the instrument panel.
The controls in the new centre stack have an ergonomic, functional design. Most of them are used for several functions, in a logical and convenient way. The top half of the control panel is used to operate the audio system, integrated phone and navigation system, while the lower half controls the climate system.
Behind the centre stack, there is a practical storage compartment for personal items, easily accessible from both sides. Like the other panels in the car, the centre stack can be specified with different decor panels. The most spectacular is the transparent plastic, “IcedAqua”. It creates a high-tech impression, as parts of the electronics and technology can be seen through it.
A modern sportswagon

The rear of the Volvo V50 has a softer, more sports-oriented design than the very typical estate model, the V70. The combination of rounded roof lines and extremely abrupt tail is designed to create a modern, flair-filled impression.
This impression is reinforced by the softly rounded nose, the short bonnet and the marked cab-forward design. The track and wheelbase have been extended, virtually putting a wheel at each corner. This also contributes to the sporty appearance, as well as giving the car stable on-the-road behaviour.

New, patented frontal structure with several crumple zones

The new Volvo V50 has very high safety levels – both protective and preventive. Volvo’s aim was to attain the same high safety level as in the Volvo S80.
The frontal body structure of the Volvo V50 is divided into several zones, each with a different task in the deformation process. The outer zones are responsible for most of the deformation. The closer the collision forces get to the passenger compartment, the less the materials used deform.

Compact engines contribute to crash safety

Efficient packaging has enabled the five-cylinder engines in the new Volvo V50 to be made 200 mm slimmer. As the engines are installed transversely, the reduced width creates greater space between engine and passenger compartment. In a collision, the engine can be pushed no less than 150 mm rearwards before the crankshaft is stopped by the cross-member near the bulkhead.

Unique Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS)

The new Volvo V50 is equipped with IDIS – the Intelligent Driver Information System.
IDIS is a car industry innovation, first shown in the all-new Volvo S40. It is influenced by fighter aircraft technology. The system helps the driver to avoid being distracted while driving. In demanding situations, such as overtaking or braking, signals from the integrated GSM telephone and certain peripheral information are delayed until the situation is calmer. IDIS is standard in all versions of the new Volvo V50, irrespective of whether or not the car is fitted with an integrated phone.

Powerful engines for silky-smooth progress

The new Volvo V50 has transverse, five-cylinder, in-line engines. Most of the external engine components have been designed and packaged so that the installation takes exceptionally little space. The result is an engine that is 200 mm slimmer and 25 mm shorter than that found in the larger Volvo models. This compact format makes the engine lighter. Combined with Volvo’s architecture – transverse engine installation – it also contributes to high crash safety.

The new five-cylinder, in-line engines have a displacement of 2.4 and 2.5 litres respectively. The five cylinders and large displacement provide high torque from low engine revs – along with swift acceleration.

The most powerful engine, the T5, offers a maximum of 220 hp and 320 Nm of torque. It can be combined with the same type of electronically-controlled All Wheel Drive as other Volvo models.

When it is launched, the new Volvo V50 will also be available with a choice of two five-cylinder, normally-aspirated engines (170 hp and 140 hp) – and an entirely new four-cylinder diesel engine (136 hp).

Latest Car News

All images courtesy of and copyright their respective manufacturers, unless otherwise indicated. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any way without the express written permission of their respective owners. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Model news and specifications are presented as provided by manufacturer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DIGIADS. No warranty is made by DIGIADS with respect to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.