The Volvo S40 is a compact executive car in the C/D segment, produced by the Swedish automaker Volvo Car Corporation. It succeeded the Volvo 440 and 460 models and was first introduced in 1995. Production took place at the NedCar plant in Born, the Netherlands. The S40 (sedan) and V40 (estate) were developed through a joint venture between Volvo and the Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi, sharing a platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma. Both models utilized the same floorpan and several mechanical components.
The introduction of the S40 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from boxy styling to a more modern, aerodynamic look. The model also featured multi-link rear suspension and newly developed powertrains. In 1999, Volvo implemented a series of updates, including a wider wheelbase, reinforced suspension, direct fuel injection for diesel engines, and larger brake discs. The engine lineup was expanded to include Common Rail diesel engines sourced from Renault. Design enhancements included wider bumpers, extended side marker lights, and redesigned rear lights. These updates led to the release of the S40 Phase II. Notably, the S40 was the first vehicle to earn four stars in Euro NCAP safety tests.
The second generation of the Volvo S40 debuted in 2004. Its estate counterpart is the Volvo V50. Both models are built on the Ford P1 platform and are manufactured at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium. The S40 and V50 share the same engine options, which include a range of petrol and diesel variants:
- Petrol engines: 1.6 (100 hp), 1.8 (125 hp), 2.0 (145 hp), 2.4 (140 or 170 hp), and 2.5 T5 (210 or 230 hp)
- Diesel engines: 1.6 D (109 hp), 1.6 D2 (115 hp), 2.0 D (136 hp), 2.0 D3 (150 hp), 2.0 D4 (177 hp), and 2.4 D5 (180 hp)
Factory tyre sizes for the Volvo S40 include: 195/55 R15, 195/60 R15, 195/65 R15, and 205/55 R16.
Optional tyre sizes that can be fitted are: 205/50 R16, 205/55 R15, 205/50 R17, 215/45 R17, and 215/45 R18.