Volvo XC40: Incomparable fusion of design and safety

First impressions of the Volvo XC40 has one intrigued. With a modern Scandinavian design based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the newest installment of the Volvo luxury car series boasts of a unique tail-lamp cluster and two-tone exteriors. A high ground clearance of 211mm and large wheels in addition to Volvo's signature SUV proportions give the XC40 a powerful stance. Furthermore, features such as T-shaped light signatures, and sculpted front bumper with skid plate only add to its robust posture.

The insides of the car are coated with black leather and lava orange faux-wool tones, a colour palette that the company believes expresses the youthful character of the XC40. At the same time, one has the option of choosing the classic all-black interiors as well. The cabin is also furnished with a nine-inch touchscreen – a feature that introduced in new generation Volvo cars that blend its beautiful design with accessibility.

"The XC40 is our first offering in the entry-level SUV segment and with this, Volvo completes its range across all luxury SUV segments – compact, mid-size and full-size," said Charles Frump, managing director, Volvo Car India, at the launch of the SUV. "It has an edgy design and a host of segment first intuitive technology that makes life less complicated."

Indeed, what makes the Volvo XC40 a fruitful investment is the maker's prioritisation of safety. Being the only compact luxury car to have radar-based active safety features, Volvo XC40 has inbuilt features such as City Safety, which identifies other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals ahead (even at night!) and warns the driver of a possible oncoming collision. If the driver doesn't react in time, the car brakes automatically to avoid an imminent accident. As a part of City Safety, makers have gone a step further to ensure driver and pedestrian safety with Intersection Braking that helps make an accident at a road junction less likely or less harmful. Run-off mitigation detects the car intentionally going off the road and uses steering input to guide it back on track. And Lane Keeping Aid sends signals in the form of a warning sound or gentle vibrations through the steering wheel to keep the car in its respective lane.

At the car's launch in New Delhi early in July, representatives from Volvo articulate their vision: by the year 2020, no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car – the courageous objective is inclusive in nature as Volvo's idea of safety is not limited to the driver and the passengers but also extends to pedestrians.

Volvo, it seems, is more than closer to fulfilling this with the latest SUV having passed, and even excelled, Euro NCAP tests with flying colours – five stars and top ratings. This test has added another accolade in XC40's hat – joining its larger siblings, the XC60 and XC90 as one of the safest cars on the roads in the world. "The 2018 Euro NCAP testing was the toughest ever with new and more demanding challenges on safety technology, including cyclist-detection with auto-brake and emergency lane keeping systems. Overall, the new XC40 received the highest safety score among all cars tested under the new regime," Volvo Cars said in their press statement.

These features make the Volvo XC40 an attractive vehicle. In March this year, the car was named the European Car of the Year becoming the first Volvo to win the recognition. Following this, the SUV has been Volvo's best seller in the country with showrooms sanctioning 200 bookings in the fortnight of the launch.

Safety First

• The Volvo XC40 is equipped with radar-based security features such as City Safety with Steering Assist, oncoming lane mitigation, Driver Alerts, Run-off Road protection and roll stability control 
• Other salient features of the car include a panoramic sunroof, induction charging for phones, and unique storage spaces