Road Test: Volvo V40 T5 R-Design

 The 40 series of Volvos has come a long way since the original 400 compact sedan, a disappointing and clunky venture by the Swedish carmaker into a smaller size than it was used to, writes Brian Byrne. Even the most diehard 200 series Volvo owner wouldn't have blamed the company if they had given up on the model.

But they persevered, and though the early generations of the S40 and V50 — that last the wagon version — they gained a buyer cohort which both liked, and came to respect, the car. It gave Volvo a space in the most important European segment, and gained traction amongst a buyer profile who wouldn't have ever considered the brand previously.

A couple of years ago, the saloon was dropped, and the much sleeker hatchback that took its place was named the V40, the V now becoming a designation for a versatile hatchback within the brand's nomenclature.

Though shorter than its predecessor, the V40 gained a longer wheelbase, the immediate result being more room especially for the rear seat passengers. The car also has more rear headroom than the S40, fixing what had been a serious issue for taller passengers. And the interior fittings and quality evolved into a level which befitted a car that considers itself a length ahead of its mainstream compact rivals. Like the Ford Focus — to which it remains related in a modified platform sense — and Volkswagen's Golf. The pricing reflects that ambition.

This review is of the current T5 R-Design variant, essentially the top of the V40 line. With R-Design comes a lot of goodies, including leather seats and trim, full climate control, some very sexy wheels, and external cladding to give it a sportier look. The whole internal feel is premium, perhaps let down just a little by the old-fashioned and small centre-dash screen. The instruments offer a number of 'themes', to give classic, eco or sport elements. All three are stylish, and refined, going right along with the overall ethos of the car.

The T5 is powered by a 2.0 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with 245hp on tap. There's buckets of torque, 350Nm coming in from a right low 1,500rpm. Along with the 8-speed automatic transmission, that offers one of the smoothest sprints of 6.3sec to 100km/h that I've experienced.

There's no apparent downside from the autobox, which shifts nice and swiftly, and with a rated B2 in CO2 terms, the €280 a year road tax isn't any problem.

Look, Volvo might like to consider this one their hot hatch, but it isn't. Not for any lack in performance, because there isn't, but because it has a much more upper class sense than your GTIs and STs. You're not trying to make an external statement here, either in sound or fury. This is an elegantly fast car.

It's a car that I enjoyed, that I liked the look of, that I took out from time to time just to drive it again, and I genuinely left it back with regret.

The V40 range begins at €27,295, so it's a car that you think about buying rather than going for price. For that you'll get a thrifty and refined small diesel, well adequate to most people's needs. The review T5 tops out at €37,995, for someone who thinks much longer and harder, but knows what he or she wants.

I could happily want one.