[toggle title_open=”Car specifications” title_closed=”Car specifications” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]Price: $64,990
Engine: 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo, 187kW/360Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel economy: 8.1 litres/100km
Emissions: 189gr/km (Euro4)
Equipment: Includes Bluetooth wireless
Safety: Five-star crash rating
Factory warranty: Three year/100,000km[/toggle]
The T5-R is the go-fast variant in Volvo’s V40 hatchback range. The V40 scored the highest ever result in the Euro NCAP crash testing regime with a near-perfect five-star rating, thanks in part to the world’s first pedestrian airbag and an improved City Safety system that automatically brakes the car to avoid rear-end collisions at speeds up to 50km/h. There are cheaper and more engaging hot hatches around, such as the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus ST, but they don’t have Volvo’s bank-vault safety credentials. Inside, the seats are excellent, so too the basic ergonomics, topped by Volvo’s floating centre console. Boot space is just adequate; so too rear headroom. The T5 R-Design is good fun on a well-sealed winding road, helped by a gearbox that channels a linear supply of power to a chassis that blends a soft and firm ride. But step on the power away from a good surface and things change. The ride continues to cope reasonably well but the numb electric steering is caught short by the front wheels often scrambling for direction under throttle-induced torque steer. The similarly powered Megane RS and Focus ST have sharper helms.
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Good features
Styling, punchy engine, snappy cabin, good ride compromise
Not so good
Numb steering, unwieldy turning circle, lacks all-round character of rivals.
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[box type=”tick” size=”large” style=”rounded”] Rating 6.5/10[/box]