The Volvo XC40 is now available in T3 guise in South Africa, bringing even more variety to the 2018 European Car of the Year line-up. The new powertrain is the first three-cylinder engine in the company's 91-year history.
The all-new 1.5 litre T3, three-cylinder, direct-injection petrol engine was developed in-house using the same modular design as the firm's four-cylinder Drive-E engines.
The three-cylinder powertrain comes with a six-speed manual transmission while an optional eight-speed transmission will follow at a later date.
115kW and 265Nm
Furthermore, the new three-cylinder powertrain has been deliberately designed for integration into Twin Engine plug-in hybrid cars. A hybridised as well as a pure electric powertrain option for the XC40 will be added later.
In South Africa, the XC40 T3 is now available in manual, with the T3 automatic due to follow later next year. With 115kW and 265Nm on tap.
Three trim levels
XC40 customers have plenty of choice in trim levels, including Momentum and R-Design, plus the luxurious new Inscription level.
The Inscription trim offers exterior styling choices with 18", 19" or 20" rims, unique skid plates, side window and grille mesh chrome, plus model-specific car colours. Inside, Inscription adds a newly designed crystal gear knob and the attractive Driftwood deco, which Volvo first introduced in its award-winning XC60 mid-size SUV.
XC40 customers can further express themselves with accessories like the 21" Black Diamond Cut alloy wheels, and the new accessory styling kit that offers brushed stainless steel skid plates and integrated dual tailpipes.
With the title of 2018 European Car of the Year already under its belt, Volvo's XC40 is quickly turning into a volume seller in the South African market. With the addition of the T3 engine, customers now have even more options when choosing the XC40 that perfectly suits their needs.
Image: Quickpic
A new evolution of Volvo's latest design language has resulted in an expressive and unique exterior, while a bespoke interior inherits all of Volvo's latest design elements, including the revered 22cm touch screen and digital instrument cluster.
New design elements like the optional contrasting white roof, white mirror caps and wheels, Oxide Red leather and 'Lava' carpets, which are made from 100% recycled materials.
Functional practicality has also been a major focus on the inside of the XC40, where smart features like a removable rubbish bin, a cubby hole hook, a dedicated smartphone storage area with wireless (inductive) charging, and a multi-adaptable boot floor, transform a typically cluttered and sometimes messy car interior into a place of serenity and organised efficiency.
XC40 Prices (including VAT, excluding C02 tax):
T3 Manual Momentum - R486 500
T3 Manual lnscription - R 518 200
T3 Manual R-Design - R525 300
D4 Geartronic AWD Momentum - R599 000
T5 Geartronic AWD Momentum - R605 300
D4 Geartronic AWD Inscription - R630 700
T5 Geartronic AWD Inscription - R637 000
D4 Geartronic AWD R-Design - R637 800
T5 Geartronic AWD R·Design - R644 100