Segment: Entry Premium
Production years: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
Since the launch of the 1992 Volvo 850, it was clear that Volvo entered into a new era, where front-wheel-drive and rounded shapes replaced the rear-wheel-drive systems and the boxy bodyworks.
Volvo needed a new platform and a factory inside the EEC (Economic European Community) to avoid customs taxes. The answer came from Mitsubishi, who was looking for a partner to build its Carisma mid-size range in Europe and invest in a new front-wheel-drive platform. The Swedish and Japanese carmakers joined their forces and produced the Volvo S40/V40 and the Carisma, respectively. And that's why the S/V40 had a 4x114.3 pattern for its wheels (PCD).
The 1996 S40 looked like no other Volvo before. At the front, the bumper featured a lower apron where the carmaker integrated the fog lights. Its horizontal headlights featured smoothed corners on the upper side, flanking the chromed grille with vertical slats. The greenhouse extended behind the rear doors, and the carmaker added a third, small side window between the rear doors and the C-pillars. A flat trunk lid with rounded corners and a set of corner-mounted taillights wearing a clear middle line completed the car's image.
Inside, the carmaker installed a dashboard with smooth lines and a center stack that hosted the HVAC controls on the upper side and the radio cassette player at the bottom. Volvo used a green light illumination in the instrument cluster, showing the speedometer in the middle and the tachometer on the left. Its five-seat cabin offered good room for the front passengers and adequate for the rear ones.
Under the hood, the Swedish carmaker installed a wide engine choice either built by Volvo or Mitsubishi (the 1.8-liter direct-injected gasoline unit) or Renault (the 1.9-liter turbo-diesel).
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 5MT FWD (105 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1588 cm3 |
Power: | 77 KW @ 5500 RPM 105 HP @ 5500 RPM 103 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 106 lb-ft @ 4200 RPM 143 Nm @ 4200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 114.9 mph (185 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/55 HR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 55.51 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.08/57.87 in (1,450/1,470 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.39 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2733.7 lbs (1240 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3858.1 lbs (1750 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.9 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 36.2 mpg US (6.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.7 mpg US (8.5 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8i 5MT FWD (125 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1834 cm3 |
Power: | 92 KW @ 5500 RPM 125 HP @ 5500 RPM 123 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 128 lb-ft @ 3750 RPM 174 Nm @ 3750 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 124.3 mph (200 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/55 VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 55.51 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.08/57.87 in (1,450/1,470 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.39 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2844 lbs (1290 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3924.2 lbs (1780 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 25.8 mpg US (9.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 41.3 mpg US (5.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 34.1 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 164 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 5MT FWD (115 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1731 cm3 |
Power: | 85 KW @ 5500 RPM 115 HP @ 5500 RPM 114 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 4100 RPM 165 Nm @ 4100 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 121.2 mph (195 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/55 HR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 55.51 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.08/57.87 in (1,450/1,470 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.39 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2744.8 lbs (1245 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3858.1 lbs (1750 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.6 mpg US (12 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.1 mpg US (6.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0 T 5MT FWD (160 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1948 cm3 |
Power: | 118 KW @ 5100 RPM 160 HP @ 5100 RPM 158 BHP @ 5100 RPM |
Torque: | 170 lb-ft @ 1800 RPM 230 Nm @ 1800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 133.6 mph (215 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/55 VR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 55.51 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.08/57.87 in (1,450/1,470 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.39 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2832.9 lbs (1285 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3924.2 lbs (1780 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 19.1 mpg US (12.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.6 mpg US (6.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 26.4 mpg US (8.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 209 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT FWD (140 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1948 cm3 |
Power: | 103 KW @ 6000 RPM 140 HP @ 6000 RPM 138 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 135 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 183 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 127.4 mph (205 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 9.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/55HR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 55.51 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.08/57.87 in (1,450/1,470 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.39 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2744.6 lbs (1245 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3858.1 lbs (1750 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18.4 mpg US (12.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 34.6 mpg US (6.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - T4 5MT FWD (200 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1855 cm3 |
Power: | 147 KW @ 5500 RPM 200 HP @ 5500 RPM 197 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 221 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM 300 Nm @ 2400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 146 mph (235 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.3 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 205/50 ZR16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 55.51 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.08/57.87 in (1,450/1,470 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.39 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2832.9 lbs (1285 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3924.2 lbs (1780 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 16.9 mpg US (13.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.6 mpg US (9.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 221 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.9L D 5MT FWD (95 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1870 cm3 |
Power: | 70 KW @ 4000 RPM 95 HP @ 4000 RPM 94 BHP @ 4000 RPM |
Torque: | 140 lb-ft @ 2000 RPM 190 Nm @ 2000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 15.9 gallons (60.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 111.8 mph (180 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 195/55 HR15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 176.37 in (4480 mm) |
Width: | 67.71 in (1720 mm) |
Height: | 55.51 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 57.08/57.87 in (1,450/1,470 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 100.39 in (2550 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 16.6 cuFT (470 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2810.9 lbs (1275 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3924.2 lbs (1780 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 51.1 mpg US (4.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 42 mpg US (5.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 148 g/km |