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The Volvo S40 is a small family car marketed and produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1995 to 2012 across two generations. The first generation (1995–2004) was introduced in 1995 with the S40 (S from saloon) and V40 (V from versatility, estate) cars. The second generation (2004–2012) was released in 2004, and the estate variant's name changed to V50. The range was replaced by the Volvo V40 five-door hatchback in 2012. == First generation (1995–2004) == During August 1995, Volvo released its new series, with the intention of calling the cars S4/F4. However, as Audi had already reserved the "S4" name, Volvo opted to name the range S40 (saloon), and V40 (estate). These cars were manufactured at the Nedcar factory in the Netherlands (a pre-Ford joint venture between Volvo and Mitsubishi Motors) and based on a common platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma. The V40, with an drag coefficient of 0.32,〔(【引用サイトリンク】 publisher = Volvo Cars )〕 was the first whole model to be introduced under the direction of the British designer Peter Horbury, Volvo’s design director,〔 and was marketed in Australia, South America and the Far East.〔 The V40 was named the ‘Most Beautiful Estate Car in the World’ at an Italian award ceremony.〔 The official première was at the Frankfurt Motor Show, in September 1995, with the V40 premièring in December 1995, at the Bologna Motor Show.〔(【引用サイトリンク】publisher=1990 - 1999: A historical review )〕 In 2000, Volvo updated the 40 Series ("Phase II"), implementing a number of technical improvements, including improved engine management, diesel direct fuel injection, extra safety features, larger brake discs, new front suspension and steering, revised rear suspension, larger tyres and a wider track. A minor facelift gave larger headlights, more streamlining and larger rear light clusters as well as minor instruments and fascia re-design. The "Phase II" 40 series finally went on sale on the North American market for the model year 2000. The 40 Series cars were equipped with four-cylinder engines, such as a 1.9 turbo diesel or 1.6 (1588 cc), 1.8 (1731 cc, later increased to 1783cc), 2.0T (1948 cc), 1.9 T4 (1855 cc, later increased to 1948cc) or 2.0 (1948 cc) fuel-injected gasoline engines all of which are derivatives of the modular whiteblock engine series that started life in the Volvo 960 and carried in both 5 and 6 cyl formats in Volvo's bigger FWD cars. There was also a 1.8 L (1834 cc) petrol direct injection engine provided by Mitsubishi as part of the platform sharing between the 40 series and the Carisma. The Volvo S40/V40 series was a completely new car from the ground up, only one engine - the 1.9 turbo diesel - carried over from the old 400 series. The low (2.0T) and high (1.9 T4) pressure turbo variants were positioned at the top of the motor range. The 2.0T was rounded down and badged as 1.9T and was the only engine available in North America. The 5-speed manual transmission, widely available in Europe, was not certified in North American S40s, with the 5-speed automatic as the only option. No electric CVT transmission was planned, unlike the 440 HTA / High Tech Auto CVT that had been released before the 400 series was completely phased out. In the United Kingdom, trim levels were S, XS, SE and CD. Later on, trim levels offered were supplemented with SE Lux and Sport Lux trim designations. A limited edition 'Xi' trim level was also offered for a short run on Phase 1 and Phase 1.5 cars, often painted yellow with black-bezel headlamps. A racing version (S40) was introduced in the British Touring Car Championship in 1997 and in 1998 the car, with Rickard Rydell, won the championship. It was also used in the Swedish Touring Car Championship and the 2003 Norwegian Touring Car Championship season The Volvo S40 was the first car to earn a four star Euro-NCAP safety rating. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Volvo S40」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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