autoevolution
 

VOLVO V50 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2004
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
Body style: Wagon (station wagon, estate, combi, touring)
VOLVO V50 photo gallery

Volvo was still under Ford's management when it introduced the facelifted version for the V50 lineup in 2007, and while it brought minimal look changes, it improved the safety systems.

While in the U.S., the signs of the financial crisis already started to be seen by big companies. In Europe, everything was business as usual. Ford tried to transform Volvo into a money-making machine, and while it introduced the facelifted version, it didn't go over the fence with that. It improved what was needed.

With a slight change on the outside, the Swedish brand salesman had a hard time convincing the customers that there was a new V50 in town. There was a different grille at the front, black instead of silver, and a slightly modified bumper on the lower side. In the back, the vertically mounted taillights featured a smaller, reversing lights area. The big novelty was that the car was available with HID Xenon headlights instead of the halogen-type ones, which remained fitted as standard.

Inside, Volvo tried to improve the material's quality and worked on the fit and finish around the cabin. But since it was based on the same platform as the Ford Focus, its wheelbase remained the same, and it could hardly compete with other premium carmakers from the same segment.

Under the hood, the carmaker released more power for most of its engine versions but axed the 2.5-liter turbo-diesel version. Thus, the only AWD V50 on the lineup remained the 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline unit, which was unavailable on the non-facelifted version.

full description and technical specifications
VOLVO V50 photo gallery

Volvo introduced the second generation of the S40 in 2003, followed by the station version for it a year later with the name V50.

After Volvo was bought by Ford in 1999, the Swedish carmaker had to share its parts and underpinnings with the American carmaker. Thus, the V50 ended up using the same platform as the Ford Focus and the Mazda 3. It was an economic measure meant to lower the production costs of the vehicles, although as a premium carmaker, it couldn't sell for cheap.

Volvo had already ditched the former angular look and moved its design language into the curved panels and soft areas. Thus, the S40/V50 lineups featured a front fascia where the grille was more advanced than the headlights. The carmaker stated that this detail will resemble the former Viking boats, with a nose-in-the-air stance. In the long-roof version, this compact-sized vehicle featured a sports-wagon styling with an ascending beltline with narrower rear side windows. Moreover, at the back, the vertical-mounted taillights emphasized the car's rear end.

Inside, the front bucket seats benefited from an anti-diving technology, which allowed the occupants to remain planted in their seats in the event of a frontal crash. Later on, most cars on the market were fitted with that technology, but in the 2000s, that was an important innovation. At the back, the 60/40 split-folding bench allowed two passengers to comfortably sit there.

Under the hood, Volvo installed a choice of gasoline and turbo-diesel engines, depending on the market. Power went to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. For selected versions, an all-wheel drive system was available as an option.

full description and technical specifications