2005 Volvo V50

Volvo Car has released the first details of the new V50 making its debut at the Bologna Motor Show today. The all-new Volvo V50 is the five-door active lifestyle sportswagon that follows the introduction of the all-new S40 sport sedan, which made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year. Sales of the all-new V50 sportswagon will begin in the U.S. in summer 2004 as a 2005 model.

The Volvo V50 is 1.8" longer than the S40 and slightly shorter than its predecessor, the V40, but it is larger in every other respect. The track and wheelbase have each been been extended nearly 3", pushing the wheels out to each corner for improved balance and stability. The long wheelbase also makes it possible to fit conveniently wide rear doors for ease of access.

The cab-forward design, long wheelbase and Volvo's Intelligent Vehicle Architecture of transverse engine installation (VIVA) combine to give the all-new V50 a spacious cabin that may be rearranged in the same flexible manner as the Volvo V70. The rear seat splits into two sections and the backrests fold down. The front passenger seat is equipped with a fold-flat backrest. With the seats folded, the load floor is completely flat from the rear lift gate to the glove compartment, making the V50 perfect for hauling long, often cumbersome loads.

"The luggage compartment is not simply spacious, it is also practical and easy to load, thanks to the vertical side windows and the totally flat load floor. It meets the demands of today's customers with 'a large capacity for life.'"

Henrik Otto, Volvo Car's Design Director.

The all-new Volvo V50 is being introduced with a choice of innovative 5-cylinder engines also offered in the new S40: a normally aspirated 2.4 liter unit producing 168 hp, and a 2.5 liter 218 hp light-pressure turbocharged T5 engine. While the S40 is also available either a 5- or 6-speed manual transmissions, the V50 will only be offered with a 5-speed automatic in the US market. As with the S40 sport sedan, the V50 T5 is also available with Volvo's Haldex electronically-controlled awd.

Like the all-new Volvo S40, the Volvo V50 will be built at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium. Volvo production at Nedcar in Born will cease with the phasing out of the previous Volvo S40 and V40 models. The Ghent Plant, when fully extended, will be the company's largest production unit with an annual capacity of 270,000 cars. Volvo Cars of North America, LLC expects to sell 6,500 units annually in the U.S.