New Volvo V40 will be revealed at Geneva Motor Show

Volvo hopes the V40 will be able to be viable competitor in the Premium Hatchback segment. It has sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos but obviously in a smaller and sleeker package.

"The all-new V40 is the first new model that is fully developed according to our human-centric, Designed Around You strategy. Charged with an outstanding set of high-tech features it definitely will give our toughest competitors a headache," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo V40 is a modern, expressive car includes the Scandinavian luxury look and feel. It has the high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail that Volvo is known for. The new, fully graphic instrument cluster with personalized layout and information enhances the intuitive and uncomplicated driver experience.

"Thanks to input from customers all over the world our most compact V-range model features an outstanding blend of design, safety and versatility. The car is loaded with features that buyers of modern luxury cars want," explains Stefan Jacoby.

The chassis is designed to offer the agile and connected experience that creates a more sustained feeling with the road. Volvo is saying the the V40 will have class-leading driving dynamics. They put a lot into a few key vital areas for the V40.

The engine range will include Volvo's first diesel with CO2 emissions of just 94 g/km. A turbocharged gas engine will have 254 horsepower and be able to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. Not bad for wagon, or don't say that... I mean hatchback! All engines will feature start-stop technology, so the engine turns of when not in motion automatically. As well cars will be fitted with braking regeneration. Both features will be on all V40's no matter whether they are fitted with a manual or automatic gearbox.

"The all-new V40 wraps you in a super-comfortable cockpit with outstanding ergonomics and technology that make you feel informed, focused and relaxed. This driver-centric approach is what modern Volvos are all about," says Stefan Jacoby.

It is not surprising that the all-new Volvo V40 will feature class-leading safety, as that is what Volvo is known for. This includes a driver support package along with Volvo's groundbreaking Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake and several other new features.

Among the new features are a world-first pedestrian airbag, Lane Keeping Aid with haptic auto steering, and an ingenious Park Assist Pilot that makes parallel parking easy.

The City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system has been further developed and it now operates at speeds up to 31 mph. (On other vehicles it currently works on speeds up to 19mph.)

"The all-new V40 is the most intelligent and safe Volvo model so far. All its features are designed around the driver, helping him or her stay alert and well informed to avoid collisions and dangerous situations," says Håkan Abrahamsson, Vehicle Line Director C Cars & V40 Vehicle Program Manager.

Volvo is hopeful to sell at least 90,000 V40 vehicles per year. A doable sales goal for the luxury Swedish automaker. An estimated 85 percent of the V40 hatchbacks will go to customers in Europe. (North America, we got to be buying more V40 hatchbacks!)

The car will be revealed at a press conference at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6th, 2012. Production of the all-new Volvo V40 will begin in May 2012. The car will be built in Volvo's vehicle plant in Ghent, Belgium.