Model Overview: 2005 Volvo V50

Model Overview: 2005 Volvo V50

The all-new Volvo V50 is the exciting 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 last year.

The all-new Volvo V50 replaces the previous V40, which was launched in the United States in 1999. Sales of the all-new V50 sportswagon will begin in the U.S. in summer, 2004 as a 2005 model.

Exhilarating design for those who live life to the fullest

From the outside, the all-new V50 is unmistakably a Volvo, a modern evolution of the sportswagon design language that began with the V70 family wagon.The all-new Volvo V50 is a totally new five-door model with aggressive lines, intelligent design solutions and a flexible interior.

”The all-new V50 is the result of a consistent design strategy, in which the Volvo character has been developed for each new model,” says Henrik Otto, Volvo Cars’ Design Director. ”Our new sportswagon is indisputably a genuine Volvo but, at the same time, it has its own, totally individual and distinct profile – with characteristics from classics such as the Volvo 1800 ES, Volvo 480 and its most recent predecessor, the V40."

The interior is a revolution, with an ultra-slim center console – the first of its kind in the automotive world – creating an aura of exclusivity, simplicity and space. “The center console is a design icon for the all-new Volvo V50 and S40 sport sedan,” says Otto. “What sets the all-new V50 apart is the ability for the car to carry both people and all the important stuff that allows them to live their lives to the fullest. It is truly a car with a large capacity for life!"

Class-leading safety featuring Volvo's Intelligent Vehicle Architecture (VIVA)

In the all-new Volvo V50, Volvo Cars continues its innovative use of steel. In the new, patented front structure, four different grades of steel are used in an intelligent interplay to provide maximum safety for the car’s occupants. “Naturally, our goal is that the all-new Volvo V50 should be the safest car in its class,” says Volvo Cars President Hans-Olov Olsson.

Side impact protection is addressed by the use of extremely rigid cross members that form a three-way attachment between the leading edge of the A-pillar and the base of the B-pillar. Similar cross members are found in the rear doors as well.

This system of energy absorption, along with the new slim-design 5-cylinder engines is called Volvo's Intelligent Vehicle Architecture (VIVA), and represents a new approach to vehicle safety design.

New Volvo Performance

The all-new Volvo V50 is being introduced with a choice of innovative 5-cylinder engines: a normally aspirated 2.4-liter unit producing 168-horsepower, and a 2.5-liter 218-horsepower light-pressure turbocharged T5 engine. Those who crave an even more dynamic driving experience may equip their car with electronically controlled all-wheel drive.

Performance is further accentuated through the available Dynamic Trim Package, which enhances the aggressive lines of the car through specially designed spoilers on the front; sides and rear, along with larger wheels and dual exhaust tips.

Appealing to younger buyers

“With the all-new Volvo V50, we now offer our customers the benefits and utility of the V70 in a sporting, exciting design with exceptional road manners. Once again, Volvo is setting the standard in the wagon segment,” comments Olsson.

Expanding the brand to appeal to a broader age range is an important part of Volvo Cars’ strategy – it is particularly important that this new model appeal to young buyers. "We want to attract customers into the Volvo family as early as possible, and the new Volvo V50 will definitely appeal to younger buyers,” said Olsson.

Produced in Ghent, Belgium

Like the all-new Volvo S40, the Volvo V50 will be built at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium. Volvo’s production operations in Born in the Netherlands 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.

The all-new V50 is the second in a range of new Volvo models sharing common technology with Ford and Mazda.