The introduction today of the all-new Volvo S40 sedan and new V50 wagon to Australia is an important step forward for Volvo Car Australia. The dynamic duo gives Volvo Car Australia a refreshed and a formidable presence in the luxury compact market.

The driving force of the all-new Volvo S40 sedan, which officially goes on sale at the Melbourne motor show, can be expressed in a single word +óGé¼GÇ£ performance. Not just performance in terms of the 125kW 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine and quicker acceleration, but outright performance as defined by the new S40's refinement and overall abilities.

The S40 binds together those iconic core values at Volvo Car of superior occupant protection, quality and functional design with the on-road pleasure of a luxury compact sedan offering the poise of an athletically tuned chassis and choice of two potent five-cylinder engines.

Volvo Car Australia will offer the new S40 with a 125kW 2.4-litre engine as standard. Compared to its competitors, the S40 sets the power benchmark for a European luxury brand.

For those wanting more under the right foot, there's the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 162kW in the S40 T5.

Volvo Car Australia forecasts sales for new S40 and V50 for 2004 at around 650 cars. The anticipated sales split favours S40 at 70 percent.

The 2004 S40 is an encompassing new vehicle from the ground up. Its driving character improved and heightened to appeal to the next generation of Volvo buyers who consciously recognise its attributes.

The S40's exterior styling visually reinforces a car that is stronger, more refined and well built. The S40 body structure is 68 percent stiffer torsionally than its predecessor, providing a stable platform that allowed Volvo to develop the S40's driving character far more refined and comfortable than that of its predecessor's.

The all-new S40, measuring 4.47 metres in overall length, is the smallest of Volvos. However, the S40 has been engineered to equal or to exceed the performance of Volvo's large cars in occupant protection.

Achieving big-car occupant protection from the compact S40 required advanced body engineering and manufacturing. To control impact forces, the S40 and V50 are manufactured using four specific grades of steel to produce specific deformation zones.

The low-speed deformation zone absorbs forces generated in a low-speed impact without damage to the rest of the body structure. The high-speed deformation zone is comprised of high-strength steel optimised for high-energy absorption. During a major impact, this zone accounts for most deformation.

The back-up zone is extremely rigid made of extra high-strength steel and is designed to protect the occupant space.

As compared to its predecessor, the new S40 is actually 48mm shorter overall but is wider and taller. The track and wheelbase have been extended. A wheelbase now 78mm longer means the S40 offers better interior space. Much of the additional length is realised in rear seat passenger legroom +óGé¼GÇ£ 874mm in total +óGé¼GÇ£ an increase of 43mm.

The new S40's measurements are:

Length: 4468mm (-48mm shorter)
Width: 1770mm (+54mm wider)
Height: 1452mm (+44mm taller)
Wheelbase: 2640mm (+78mm longer)
Track front: 1535mm (+63mm wider)
Track rear: 1531mm (+57mm wider)

The interior, specifically the centre console, is a revolution in automotive design. The curved Floating Centre Console is approximately 20mm thick and holds the controls for most of the S40's luxury interior features: climate control and ventilation settings, tuning controls for performance sound system with CD player, front seat heat controls (optional), integrated telephone (optional) and rear window demister.

The unique Floating Centre Console is open at the back for stowage of small items such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, a wallet or the like.

An inline five-cylinder 2.4-litre engine is now standard in the new S40 and V50 for the Australian market. The naturally aspirated engine raises the S40's power by 25kW (25 percent) and torque lifts by 40Nm (21 percent). Better driveability and better in-gear acceleration result.

To put these power and torque gains into perspective, the new S40 comfortably out muscles the outgoing 2.0T low-pressure turbocharged engine. As a result, the new S40 is quicker (zero to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds) than the 2.0T.

Performance of the all-new S40 is exceptional. The new S40's 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine posts a slight increase (0.4l/100km) in combined fuel consumption over the outgoing S40 (with nat-atmo 100kW engine).

The 162kW S40 T5 with turbocharged 2.5-litre engine will simply change the conservative view of Volvo. Highly equipped with luxury and safety features, the brute reality of the S40 T5 is quickly realised from the driver's seat. Acceleration of zero-100km/h in less than seven seconds is no figment of the imagination. The reality is remarkable.

Volvo Car Australia dealers will begin taking orders for the new S40 and V50 range today. The new S40 2.4, S40 2.4 SE and S40 T5 will arrive in dealership in June alongside the new V50 2.4, V50 2.4 SE and V50 T5.

Volvo Car Corporation manufactures the new S40 and V50 in Ghent, Belgium. Volvo Car Corporation recently invested approximately $560million in the high-tech Ghent production line. The previous S40/V40 was manufactured in Born, The Netherlands.

For further information please contact:
Todd Hallenbeck
Public Affairs Manager
Volvo Car Australia
Phone: 02-9020 1613
Mobile: 0412 259 635
Fax: 02-9020 1597
Email: thallen2@volvocars.com

PRICING
S40 five-speed manual +óGé¼GÇ£ $45,950
S40 five-speed automatic +óGé¼GÇ£ $47,950
S40 SE five-speed manual +óGé¼GÇ£ $49,950
S40 SE five-speed automatic +óGé¼GÇ£ $49,950
S40 T5 six-speed manual +óGé¼GÇ£ $59,950
S40 T5 five-speed automatic +óGé¼GÇ£ $59,950

EXTERIOR COLOURS
Deep Blue +óGé¼GÇ£ solid
Ice White +óGé¼GÇ£ solid
Silver +óGé¼GÇ£ metallic
Black Sapphire +óGé¼GÇ£ metallic
Ruby Red +óGé¼GÇ£ metallic
Titanium Grey +óGé¼GÇ£ metallic
Flint Grey +óGé¼GÇ£ metallic (launch colour)
Safari Green +óGé¼GÇ£ metallic (launch colour)

INTERIOR MATERIALS
Dala T-Tec +óGé¼GÇ£ S40 2.4
Leather +óGé¼GÇ£ S40 2.4 SE and S40 T5

INTERIOR INLAYS
Bauxite Grey +óGé¼GÇ£ S40 2.4
Wood Effect +óGé¼GÇ£ S40 2.4 SE
Aluminium +óGé¼GÇ£ S40 T5
Iced Aqua +óGé¼GÇ£ optional

VOLVO S40 2.4 SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL
Volvo S40 2.4 sedan

STANDARD FEATURES
Dala T-Tec upholstery
Climate control air conditioning
Integrated rear seat child booster cushions
Split folding rear seat (1/3 to 2/3)
Cabin pollen filter
Electronically adjustable door mirrors
Electronically operated door windows
Cruise control
16x6.5-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
Performance sound system (6 speakers) single CD
Audio & cruise controls on steering wheel
Electronic immobilizer
Approach lighting
Home safe lighting
Childproof door locks
Foglights in front spoiler
Puddle lights (under door mirrors)

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES

ABS anti-locking brakes with EBD
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbags
Inflatable Curtain (IC) front and rear passengers
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS)
SIPS bags, front seats, protect head and chest
Front safety belts, automatic height adjustment and belt tensioner
Three-point inertia reel safety belts, head restraints and anti-submarining on all seats
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)
Stability Traction Control (STC)
IDIS +óGé¼GÇ£ Intelligent Driver Information System (debut technology)
Collapsible pedals
Seatbelt warning for rear passengers (display on instrument panel)

NOTABLE OPTIONS
17x7-inch alloy wheels w/ 205-50 tyres +óGé¼GÇ£ $1500
Metallic paint +óGé¼GÇ£ $1350
Leather seats, steering wheel, gear knob +óGé¼GÇ£ $3600
Wood-effect interior inlay +óGé¼GÇ£ $345
Aluminium interior inlay +óGé¼GÇ£ $545
Iced Aqua interior inlay +óGé¼GÇ£ $645
Cabin Air Quality System +óGé¼GÇ£ $250
Front seat, electronically adjustable, driver +óGé¼GÇ£ $1950
Trip computer +óGé¼GÇ£ $555
High performance sound (8 speakers) +óGé¼GÇ£ $1350
Premium performance sound (12 speakers) +óGé¼GÇ£ $2250
Six-stacker CD +óGé¼GÇ£ $795
Sunroof, glass, electronically operated +óGé¼GÇ£ $2150
Bi-Xenon headlights +óGé¼GÇ£ $2250
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) +óGé¼GÇ£ $2190
Laminated side windows +óGé¼GÇ£ $850
Rain-sensor wipers +óGé¼GÇ£ $250
Heated front seats +óGé¼GÇ£ $315

VOLVO S40 2.4 SE SPECIFICATIONS
Volvo S40 2.4 SE sedan

MECHANICAL SPEC
Same as S40 2.4
Kerb weight: 1423kg

STANDARD FEATURES (above S40 2.4) Five-speed automatic transmission
'Caligo' 16x6.5-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
Leather seats, steering wheels, gear knob
Wood-effect interior inlays
Front seat, electrically adjustable, driver
Trip computer
Floor mats

Features' value of SE upgrade: $8575\*
Includes $2000 for five-speed automatic transmission

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES (same as S40 2.4 & V50 2.4)
ABS anti-locking brakes with EBD
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbags
Inflatable Curtain (IC) front and rear seats
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS)
SIPS bags, front seats, head and chest
Front safety belts, automatic height adjustment and belt tensioner
Three-point inertia reel safety belts, head restraints and anti-submarining on all seats
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)
Stability Traction Control (STC)
Collapsible pedals
Seatbelt warning for rear passengers (display on instrument panel)

NOTABLE OPTIONS
17x7-inch aluminium-alloy wheels w/ 205-50 tyres +óGé¼GÇ£ $1500
Metallic paint +óGé¼GÇ£ $1350
Aluminium interior inlay +óGé¼GÇ£ $245
Iced Aqua interior inlay +óGé¼GÇ£ $345
Cabin Air Quality System +óGé¼GÇ£ $250
Front seat, electronically adjustable, passenger +óGé¼GÇ£ $1950
High performance sound (8 speakers) +óGé¼GÇ£ $1350
Premium performance sound (12 speakers) +óGé¼GÇ£ $2280
Six-stacker CD +óGé¼GÇ£ $795
Sunroof, glass, electronically operated +óGé¼GÇ£ $2150
Bi-Xenon headlights +óGé¼GÇ£ $2250
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) +óGé¼GÇ£ $2190
Laminated side windows +óGé¼GÇ£ $850
Rain-sensor wipers +óGé¼GÇ£ $250
Heated front seats +óGé¼GÇ£ $315

VOLVO S40 T5 SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL
Volvo S40 T5 sedan

STANDARD FEATURES (same as V50 T5)
Five-speed automatic transmission
Aluminium interior inlay
Leather seats, steering wheels, gear knob
Cabin Air Quality System
Front seat, electronically adjustable, driver
Trip computer
High performance sound (8 speakers) CD player
Bi-Xenon headlights including headlight wash system
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)
'Stylla' 17x7-inch aluminium-alloy wheels

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES
ABS anti-locking brakes with EBD
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbags
Inflatable Curtain (IC) front and rear seats
Side Impact Protection System (SIPS)
SIPS bags, front seats, head and chest
Front safety belts, automatic height adjustment and belt tensioner
Three-point inertia reel safety belts, head restraints and anti-submarining on all seats
Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)
Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC)
IDIS +óGé¼GÇ£ Intelligent Driver Information System (debut technology)
Collapsible pedals
Seatbelt warning for rear passengers (display on instrument panel)

NOTABLE OPTIONS
Integrated rear seat child booster cushions +óGé¼GÇ£ $550
Front seats, electronically adjustable, passenger +óGé¼GÇ£ $1950
Sunroof glass, electronically operated +óGé¼GÇ£ $2150
Premium performance sound (12 speakers) +óGé¼GÇ£ $930
Six-stacker CD +óGé¼GÇ£ $795
Iced Aqua interior inlay +óGé¼GÇ£ $345
Metallic paint +óGé¼GÇ£ $1350
Laminated side windows +óGé¼GÇ£ $850
Rain-sensor wipers +óGé¼GÇ£ $250
Heated front seats +óGé¼GÇ£ $315