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By Stephen Worthy
First Drives
03 February 2009 10:45
It wouldn’t matter if Brad and Angelie bought a garagefull or they became the centrepoint of a new Tate Modern display – Volvos have always struggled with their image. But the eye-catching new XC60 shows they’re nearly there and this (deep breath) Volvo V50 2.0D R-Design SE Sport (and exhale) has a certain rugged Nordic charm.
Well, if five-and-a-bit years is ‘getting on a bit’, then it certainly is. But the truth is that this estate version of the S40 saloon is still a fine-looking motor car. R-Design, Volvo’s milder take on BMW’s M Sport kit, has already sprinkled its automotive pixie dust across some of Volvo’s range. And now it’s made its way to the V50. But more of that later, because the real headline news here is that you can opt for the Ford Group’s much-vaunted 2.0-litre turbodiesel Powershift powertrain for your new 2.0D.
Not unlike VW’s Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). In other words, it’s a twin-clutch auto box that aims to marry the ease of use of a fully automatic transmission with the qualities of a manual gearbox. The 2.0-litre Powershift is also currently seen in the Volvo S60 as well the Ford Focus, C-Max and Mondeo, where it has been greeted with some acclaim. It’s more of the same here, with a slight caveat.
The gearbox is creamier than a tub of Häagen-Dazs, with smooth gearchanges up and down the 'box at an almost imperceptible rate. Without getting out the blackboard and donning the cape and mortar for a physics lesson, the aim of the Powershift unit is to get rid of the torque loss that normal auto boxes suffer from.
That said, while the V50 2.0D Powershift is adept at both urban pootling and motorway cruising, there’s a slight lack of oomph in the mid range. The sprint to 60mph from standstill takes 9.2 seconds. Merely brisk, but more than enough for most. It’s highly unlikely that many of this car’s customers will flick the gear lever across and use it as an up and down shift, but it helps show off the diesel's macho engine rumble.
Powershift costs £1400, a not inconsiderable sum, meaning this car, as driven, will cost you £24,055. And no, it doesn’t have flappy paddles. Sorry about that.>> Click 'Next' below to read our verdict on the Volvo V50 Powershift
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Volvo V50 2.0D Powershift (2009) CAR review
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Devilsfan3212 says
RE: Volvo V50 2.0D Powershift (2009) CAR review
the V50 was created primarily for the US market
07 October 2010 20:31
volvofan says
Re: Volvo V50 2.0D Powershift (2009) CAR review
I've never known quite why Volvo launched the V50 estate; the V40 was bigger and its design was successfully "inspired" by Jaguar eventually for their old X type estate. A Focus estate is so much worth the money even though compared to the V50 the rear seats don't fold down flat. Such a compromise is something I was prepared to make, particularly when the Focus has a heated front screen, a patent of which Volvo should have been allowed to put in their own cars. Volvo should have just had a 5 door S40 hatchback in the form of what the 440 represented, then buyers could have chosen the S60 if they wanted something a bit bigger and retain the conservative core market. Its almost as if Volvo wanted to echo what the old PV544 / Duett estate and the bigger V70 that's ironically smaller than the old 700/900 series. Yes whilst it drives better than the V40 its not bigger and that is the V50's worst aspect over the high price. Flip paddles in my experience are unsafe and don't sit well with the larger dermographic of people unless they're young and used to high technology.
I've never known quite why Volvo launched the V50 estate; the V40 was bigger and its design was successfully "inspired" by Jaguar eventually for their old X type estate. A Focus estate is so much worth the money even though compared to the V50 the rear seats don't fold down flat. Such a compromise is something I was prepared to make, particularly when the Focus has a heated front screen, a patent of which Volvo should have been allowed to put in their own cars. Volvo should have just had a 5 door S40 hatchback in the form of what the 440 represented, then buyers could have chosen the S60 if they wanted something a bit bigger and retain the conservative core market. Its almost as if Volvo wanted to echo what the old PV544 / Duett estate and the bigger V70 that's ironically smaller than the old 700/900 series. Yes whilst it drives better than the V40 its not bigger and that is the V50's worst aspect over the high price.
Flip paddles in my experience are unsafe and don't sit well with the larger dermographic of people unless they're young and used to high technology.
24 July 2009 13:45
PamelaS says
I cant believe that Volvo jumped onto the twin clutch gearbox bandwagon and couldn't be bothered with fitting flappy paddles! Why not - it's not as if they are expensive, they could even be a chargeable option. As for the car itself, that bodykit does seem to lift the otherwise bland Volvo V50 a bit, but they are going to need some new models in the range sooner rather than later.
I cant believe that Volvo jumped onto the twin clutch gearbox bandwagon and couldn't be bothered with fitting flappy paddles! Why not - it's not as if they are expensive, they could even be a chargeable option.
As for the car itself, that bodykit does seem to lift the otherwise bland Volvo V50 a bit, but they are going to need some new models in the range sooner rather than later.
17 June 2009 15:38
a t o m i c says
Surely a Diesel car that can't crack 40mpg in the real world is a complete waste of time?
05 February 2009 14:39
DorianGray says
Imagine the embarassment when someone who knows you own a Volvo estate asks you to move a sofa for them & you turn up with this thing & it's paltry loadspace. Sorry, but Volvo estates are all about space & practicality (tho' the current V70 actually begins to look ok as well).
04 February 2009 12:21
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