Volvo debuts new S40

08 September 2003: Volvo tonight gave a pre-show reveal of its new 40-series car. The new S40 shares a platform with the upcoming new Ford Focus and the Mazda 3, and strongly resembles in style the larger S60 Volvo.

The new car is shorter than its predecessor, but wider and taller and with a pronounced cab-forward profile. Track and wheelbase have been extended, and there's less overhang than the outgoing car.

The body is 68 per cent stiffer than the older car and the powertrain options include 2.4- and 2.5-litre 5-cylinder petrol engines, as well as a 136hp 4-cylinder diesel.

The S40 is part of The Ford C1 Technologies programme and is the first Volvo to use a Ford platform.

The outgoing car shared a platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma.

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