 Zoom In |
| Who says second impressions don't count? (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Over the past couple of years, Volvo has smartly used the V50 to knock down the stereotypical image of their station wagons. Aside from being boxy, durable and capable of hauling large quantities of people and luggage in absolute safety, they've never been the apple of most peoples' eyes. So, when Volvo first unveiled the V50 a few years back, it was with great surprise that it was a small station wagon that had as much emphasis on style and driving performance as it did on safety and practicality.
 Zoom In |
| Zaruk wheels may have a funny name, but they do look good. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
For its mid-life update, Volvo decided to separate the S40 and the V50 slightly by giving them different appearances. This of course also sets them apart from their other chassis mates, the C30 hatch and the C70 convertible, which carry through unchanged. What you'll find on the new V50 is more or less a new bumper and a more pronounced grille, turning those flat-ish front surface links into a more robust looking front valance. This creates a visual bridge that reflects the styling of the new 2008 V70 station wagon and its country cousin, the XC70. This is mildly different from the S40, which mimics the shape featured on the new S80. The slight nose end changes are followed through with new taillights featuring different lenses. As big as I'm making these changes to be, in reality they're very mild. Without being pointed out, it's quite possible for the latest V50 to pass by unnoticed.
 Zoom In |
| Spot the differences? Without help, it can be tricky. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Much the same story goes for the interior, where a lot of detail work has been done, again much of it subtle enough to pass by the untrained eye without notice. It's a bit sad, when you come to think of it. Some engineer or interior designer spent months and months perfecting the ergonomics or the design, only for it to be overlooked, as in the grand scheme of things big changes aren't popular within Volvo. Naturally, all eyes are drawn to the floating centre console, which is pretty much the only thing that's gone by untouched. But start poking around elsewhere and you'll start to find change. The area behind the console has been hollowed out for more room -- enough to store a small paperback novel -- and the door panels themselves have been redesigned to allow for more elbow room. Other changes include a redesigned handbrake, which takes up less space. Even the key has been reworked slightly, with new buttons, though the shape remains the same. Volvo has added a proximity sensing keyless start to the options list too.
