[MichelR]

I wanted to see the XC40 in real life soon so when I saw on Facebook that Volvo Germany where organizing reveal shows in several cities i Germany.
I decided to give it a try and see if I could get a invite. And I did for the XC40 reveal show in Cologne. 3,5 hour drive from my home in the Netherlands.

Currently on vacation so had the time so I made a day of it with night in hotel.

Here in the Netherlands we get such reveal shows in November/December but liked to see it sooner.. :wink
Also get a invite to see the here in the Netherlands on the 4th of November.. So will be able too see things I missed at the reveal last wednesday in Cologne.

So about the event in Cologne.. Very big show, life music, free swedish style food and free drinks.
Guess around 200 people or more.. And a very mixed crowd from young till old.. So nice to see.

When they opened the curtain and we get the first look of the XC40 it was impressive.
Especially for me the Crystal White with black roof R-Design. Very nice front look with the glossy black grill.
I already knew that I wanted a XC40 but after seeing it in real life even more.. And even more after sitting behind the wheel. :smile

A quick save lost the text after finishing it so playing safe now.

 

[MichelR]

Rest of the photo's

More photo's on Instagram just look at the tag #xcitenight

 

[MichelR]

Time to continue could not continue the text so made the rest in Word and pasted it in.
So here we go again for the third time.

There were 3 XC40’s on display.
1x Crystal White Pearl with black roof R-Design with black interior.
1x Crystal White Pearl with black roof R-Design with lava orange interior which looks nice
1x Fusion Red Momentum with black interior
1x Amazon Blue with white rood and blond seats and blond interior which is also nice and light.

So there was off course a rush to see the car and sit behind the wheel.
And when you were able to sit behind the wheel you got not sit long because of the large cue of other people waiting.. I did stay till late and most of the people where gone and you had some more time to sit behind the wheel .

Well first impression of the R-Design version is very good. Nice same digital dashboard as the new XC60 and others. Same big touchscreen which looks great and works also great.

The Momentum is also very nice with aluminium inlays. And the momentum is off course available in other colour seats and light roof liner.

The seating position is nice and high.. The XC40 is off course the same height as the new XC60.
But off course a bit less width and length.

You can see in the centre console that the XC40 is a less expansive version of the XC60.
No nice sliding covers or turning start knob and so on.. Also the materials are a bit less luxurious then in the XC60.
But that was off course already stated in the reveal of the Concept 40.1 with the shoes comparison.
XC40 been sneakers.
But overall the build quality is good and you can compare it with the XC60.

Panoramic roof gives a very airy and light feel in the car.. And if opens off course.
Head room is good even in the back seats. Also lots of leg room in rear.

When you have small children then the sloped rear window might be a problem. But when driving a Volvo you would off course have then in Volvo child seats and guess they can see outside.
Did not had a good look at this issue since I will be driving it alone.. J

Booth room is nice and big.. Nice flat surface when back seats are folded down.
It’s a 2 split. The back seat also have a ski hatch to put long items through.

The cars where equipped with semi electric tow hook but pops out at the push of the button in the back. You then click in into place and you’re good to go. When done click the button to release the tow hook and you can push it back in place underneath the car. Nice clean solution.

Nice thing is also the way the door opens the door sill is covered by the door so no more dirty pants when getting into the car on winter or mud conditions. The XC60 also has this..

Most of the cars where on 20” rims and 1 on 19” rim.
Have to say that it looked not so big on the car.. Since the high ground clearance it does not look that big. 19” will also look good. But I think that 18” might look out of proportion on the car.

So I will be going for the 19” Rims. Also a downside of the Momentum I don’t like the rims that are available for that type.
Both the R-Design and Inscription Rims are nice.

For me personally it will be the R-Design version like the impressive black glossy front, black roof and though look.

I have the pricelist of the models that will come out next year so already made a spreadsheet in Excel with the options and prices and been configuring for a while.

The R-Design is the most expensive version at least here in the Netherlands.

The Inscription is cheaper but not available in Fusion Red or Bursting Blue.
I like my cars to have a nice sporty colour. Currently driving a Rebel Blue and had several Passion Red Volvo’s in the past.

So currently thinking about a XC40 T4 R-Design in Bursting blue on 19” rims.

So a long text.. I think that I managed to put most on paper..
If you have any questions just ask and I can see if I have a answer.

 

[eVolved]

What is your level of confidence in the XC40 T4 R-Design performance? Its one thing that has always been on my mind since there are so many other options these days.

 

[MichelR]

No idea about the performance of the T4.. Currently driving the D4 with Polestar tuning.
Both have 190 pk. And at the T4 Polestar tuning is also available..

The weight between my V40 D4 manual and the XC40 T4 automatic does not differ that much so performance will be the same.
And that is quick enough. Easy overtaking and great acceleration.. Can only speak about my D4 off course.. 200 pk and 440 Nm of torque.

I see at the Volvo site that a T4 has 190 pk and 300 Nm of torque.. So that acceleration will be less I guess.

 

[MichelR]

In November the press will be driving the XC40 so after that we will know more.. But I guess they will only be driving de T5 and de D4 AWD models.

 

[eVolved]

In November the press will be driving the XC40 so after that we will know more.. But I guess they will only be driving de T5 and de D4 AWD models.

Volvo just better not give them some specially tuned model for the press because at times car makers have been caught doing that or highly suspected of it. So I will be comparing the first round of reviews to customer allocation.

 

[revolvo]

Pretty much sounds like the perfect car to me. and I can't wait to see the price sheet even though what I pay will be different from what you will in the Netherlands. I assume it lists optional features you can add?

 

[MichelR]

Ordered mine today. ?
XC40 R-Design T4 in Bursting Blue.
Long wait is starting mid May.

 

[945]

Most of the cars where on 20” rims and 1 on 19” rim.
Have to say that it looked not so big on the car.. Since the high ground clearance it does not look that big. 19” will also look good. But I think that 18” might look out of proportion on the car.

So I will be going for the 19” Rims. Also a downside of the Momentum I don’t like the rims that are available for that type.
Both the R-Design and Inscription Rims are nice.

Interesting point. I'm ordering an XC40 right now and for the life of me cannot decide between the 19" and 20" rims. I live in Toronto where the winters are pretty harsh and smaller rim sizes/wheels do better in the winter but I tend to agree with you, the 20" rims look much better on this vehicle because of the high clearance.

Any suggestions? Will the 20" be just fine in the winter?