“Volvo’s turbocharged
  149mph S40 T5 Sport
  flagship is fast, safe
  and not at all short on
  driver appeal…”

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE a traditional Volvo buyer to be attracted to Volvo's flagship S40 model — the turbocharged 220bhp T5 SE Sport. Good for 149mph, it scorches to the benchmark 62mph in 6.8 seconds and is therefore placed comfortably in the sports saloon category. Not quite your everyday Volvo, then! It is interestingly to note that Volvo expects S40 customers not to have 'bought Volvo' before. Instead, they are targeting those who are either upgrading to a premium brand from a compact hatchback or downsizing from larger mainstream saloons.

Volvo sees the S40 as a premium compact class saloon for people who like the practicality afforded by a four-door saloon, but who also like their motoring served up with a strong helping of style, comfort and refinement.

Enter the S40 T5. All S40 models share the same good-looking body. It is instantly identifiable as a Volvo — not only by the distinctive black egg-crate grille and V-shaped bonnet, but primarily by the heavily-emphasised trademark shoulder line that flows strongly from the cut-away headlamps to the distinctive 'Volvo' tail lights. Stand back to appreciate the S40's muscular stance, emphasised at the front by a grille that thrusts proud of the swept back light units. Viewed from the side, there's an air of 'just waiting to be unleashed' about it.

Our test S40 T5 was the top-spec SE Sport and as such came riding on a superb-looking set of wheels — 5-arm split-rim 18-inch alloys running 215/45 Pirelli P Zero Rosso rubber — that really set off the S40's no-nonsense body style. Like the XC90 that Volvo used so successfully to penetrate the established 4x4 market not so long ago, the S40 looks more than able to take care of itself in the compact executive class.

Inside, there's even less doubt that the S40 T5 is a player. Volvo really has pulled out all the stops with a cabin that is impressively assembled from high quality materials that are definitely up there with the Germans. The showpiece of the S40's interior is undoubtedly the tall vertical ultra-slim central instrument console that makes you realise just how cluttered other modern dashes look by comparison. The attractively curved one-piece panel appears almost to float free in space as — unspoilt by any visible seams or joins — it stretches from the facia down to the gearshift. Mounted neatly on this thin, shapely, polished aluminium band is the major switchgear for the hi-fi, climate control, integrated telephone and the satellite navigation.

Of considerable merit is the feel and operation of these controls, with an especially neat function built into the single dual-zone temperature control knob. Simply press the left or right side of the switch to select the respective side of the cabin, then twist to adjust the temperature up or down. Alternatively — and this is really clever — you can adjust both together with just one action. For example, if you are currently running the passenger side at 17 degrees and the driver's at 22 degrees, you can dial the temperature up or down to automatically adjust both by the same amount: 17 becomes 21 while 22 becomes 26.

Furthermore, all controls are very intuitive. As we test a lot of cars, you would naturally expect us to get used to all the different systems. But believe it when we say you still need to read the increasingly thick handbooks to fully understand some vehicles. The T5's controls and switchgear are easy to work out without even a glance at the manual. And in an already over-complicated driver's world that's very good news indeed.

Volvo says it's a reflection of their Scandinavian design heritage. And once you've seen it, you'd have to agree. But there's much more to the S40's classily minimalist cabin than just a clever — albeit very stylish — centre stack. Fine, sporty-looking, tall-backed front seats offering plenty of shoulder and thigh support quickly prove to be eminently comfortable and the quick-to-warm, two-stage seat heating is likewise very satisfying.

Drivers will immediately feel at home and appreciate the wide range of height/reach steering column adjustment. A full range of electric seat adjustment ensures that every driver will quickly be able to find their ideal driving position sitting square to the controls. And apart from the sturdy column stalks, everything the driver needs to know or control is served easily by just one small screen, four knobs and a handful of buttons. At night, subtle 'theatre style' lighting bathes the cabin in a diffused light that's very relaxing. Once you're settled in either the front or rear seats, there's a comforting sense of security imparted by the high-ish door line

An elegant 160mph speedometer and rev-counter red-lined at 6,600rpm are arranged side-by-side dead ahead of the driver and there's a simple-to-use menu system accessed via the multi-function screen to personalise settings for locking, audio, etc. A knurled 'wheel' in the left-hand stalk accesses range and average mpg, etc, which are displayed on the small digital screen between the two major dials. There's also a button at the end of the stalk to read driver information messages and trip mileage data.

Standard equipment is good with electric windows, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, tinted glass, power driver's seat with memory, cruise control, audio and cruise control switches on the nicely grippy, three-spoke leather-covered steering wheel, a driver's information centre, exterior temperature gauge, dual-zone electronic climate control with an air quality system and pollen filter, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a high-quality sound system with 8 speakers, a 4 x 40watt amplifier and a six-disc CD/Radio. You'll also get four lovely 18-inch alloys, rain-sensing wipers and, of course, a very comprehensive set of safety equipment. The S40 T5 might be scorchingly fast, but it's still a Volvo!

There's certainly no lack of space and the S40 offers comfortable accommodation for four adults. It will take five — there are three rear headrests and three 3-point belts — but as with all 2+3 configured five-seater saloons, no adult really wants to be stuck in the middle. Volvo's Interior Air Quality System guarantees that the air you breathe inside the car is cleaner than the air outside, while a cabin air filter removes dust, pollen and exhaust particles. All interior trim materials are allergen-free. Further enhancing journey comfort is the good view out from all seats — even those in the back — and the T5's high-end sound system, which delivers crystal-clear reproduction.

With the rear seatback in place there's a decent-sized — 404 litres — boot. That's a good beginning, but fold the split backrest forwards and you have a completely flat load floor which can be further maximised by the fold-flat front passenger seat to create a long, flat load-platform that allows items up to three metres to be carried easily. There's also a good array of storage compartments, including a nifty little hidey-hole behind the 'floating' centre stack, that's accessible from both sides, and a damped case for your sunglasses above the driver's door.

The SatNav DVD unit is installed in the back of the slim, lit and lockable glovebox. Also out of sight until required is the compact pop-up SatNav screen. Touch a switch and the unit rises up out of the top centre
of the dash, where it's perfectly visible and completely undistracting. Fingertip operation is via a mini-joystick and two fingerpad buttons inset into the steering wheel boss just behind the right-hand thumb-grip.

The T5 version we tested is without doubt a quick car, and out on the road demonstrates real pace. The source of the T5's power is an all-alloy in-line five-pot 2.5-litre unit with four valves per cylinder, twin overhead camshafts featuring CVVT variable camshaft control and a light-pressure turbo to generate 220bhp at 5,000rpm and thumping 236lb ft of torque. Most of the maximum torque is readily available from 1,500 to 4,800rpm, which ensures impressive flexibility and brawny mid-range punch.

Turbo boost arrives with such politeness that passengers can be forgiven for assuming that there's a larger capacity normally-aspirated engine under the bonnet. It's actually very easy to think this way, especially as the T5 has a tendency to emit a straight-six-like growl over 3,000rpm. Throttle response is good and getting the power down through the front wheels via a positive six-speed manual 'box is not a problem. A well-positioned gear lever and a shapely gear knob that fits naturally into the palm of your hand make changing gear an enjoyable part of the driving experience.

There's no lack of grip and only minimal body roll, and the T5 can be punted round twisty back roads with confidence. From behind the wheel, it feels compact and wieldy. However, it's the ease with which the T5's power is delivered that points to its real forte — cruising, when it feels unerringly stable and controlled and is more than a match for some of its smartly-badged rivals. Seventy miles per hour requires an easy 2,200rpm in sixth gear and, where permitted, 90mph only calls for a further 600rpm. Even dropping down two gears to 4th at the legal limit only lifts the revs to 3,200rpm — still smack bang in the middle of the torque peak band, so there's immediate urge available for decisive overtaking. At the other end of the scale, 40mph in 3rd comes up at 2,400rpm. Floor it then and the T5 really lets rip.

Under cruising conditions, the T5 isn't the gas-guzzler you might imagine given its power outputs and performance. Official fuel consum-ption figures are 22.6, 32.5 and 44.1mpg respectively for urban, combined and touring. Our 'hard-driven' overall test figure worked out to 27.7mpg. Inside the cabin it's also audibly refined with well-suppressed road and wind noise while engine noise, even when working hard, is negligible. The electro-hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering provides good turn-in. Although a tad on the light side, it is nonethe-less accurate and the ride is composed and supple enough to absorb bumps and road imperfections well.

When it comes to safety you know you're in good hands. Volvo enjoys a well-earned reputation for a serious approach to passive and active safety and not just because it sells more cars. So you won't be surprised to find the S40's intrinsic chassis safety backed up with Volvo's extremely capable ABS is standard, along with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution that varies the braking performance between the front and rear wheels to minimise stopping distances, and Emergency Brake Assist which automatically applies maximum braking performance during an emergency stop.

The S40 is also a five-star rated Euro NCAP car, and in addition it comes with dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, a side impact protection system with side airbags and inflatable curtain airbags for front and rear passengers plus a whiplash protection system for the front seats. Other helpful safety kit includes Follow-Me-Home and also Approach lighting. The remote control unit operates the Approach Lighting system that illuminates the car and surrounding area as the driver approaches. Likewise, a tweak of the headlight stalk activates the Follow-Me-Home function, which then switches on the headlamps for up to 90 seconds after the vehicle has been vacated and locked. Also worthy of commendation are the excellent bi-xenon headlamps.

The stability/traction control is switchable, but even if you turn if off it will keep an eye on what's happening and automatically intervene if it thinks you're going too far. Some drivers will no doubt consider this yet another example of 'Big Brother is watching' although most will be reassured that whatever they do there's a safety net in place. Braking is by ventilated discs all-round — and very effective they are too, with a nice progressive feel to the pedal that makes for snatch-free braking in stop/start traffic. Full-on emergency stops are accomplished without drama.

The T5 is undeniably a smart, extremely well built and compact executive car with the ability to show a clean set of heels to a number of palpably more sporting competitors. That makes it more than good enough for many to see it as a genuine same-class rival to the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

Volvo S40 T5 SE Sport | £25,468 Maximum speed: 149mph | 0-62mph: 6.8 seconds Test MPG: 27.7mpg | Power: 220bhp | Torque: 236lb ft Visit Volvo's website