Hard on the heels of the sleek-'n-sexy V40 R-Design comes a third version of Volvo's new five-door hatch/sportback - the V40 Cross Country - a V40 in hiking boots, if you will.
As product strategy vice-president Lex Kerssemakers put it: “The V40 Cross Country is built on the heritage that started with the V70 Cross Country back in 1997, for those people who want a sense of adventure in their everyday life.”
It comes with silver roof rails, alloy rims (available up to 19”), contrasting front bumper, honeycomb mesh grille and upright daytime running lights, contrasting sills and contrasting rear bumper with integrated skid plate.
Idle stop and brake regeneration are standard across the range, together with Bluetooth hands-free communication and wireless music capability, plus auto braking technology and what Volvo says is the world's first pedestrian airbag.
SPECIAL LAUNCH COLOUR
Inside, the special copper launch colour is echoed in contrasting stitching - and can be emphasised further with an optional copper-coloured centre-stack inlay.
There's a storage compartment (with a USB port and an iPod jack) for CDs and other small items under the adjustable centre armrest, two cup holders and a 12V power outlet in the centre console, while cold air from the aircon keeps two cans or 500ml bottle nicely chilled in the glove compartment.
The V40 Cross Country can also be specified with a liquid-crystal digital instrument cluster that allows the driver to select one of three modes - Elegance, Performance or Eco - depending on what information they want to see while driving.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CAR
A free-download app for iPhone or Android smartphones allows the user to check fuel, wiper fluid or oil level remotely before starting a journey - or check whether the car is locked!
The V40 Cross Country will be available with a choice of two diesel and two petrol options, starting with the 1.6-litre D2, rated at 85kW and 285Nm (300Nm on overboost) and driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual 'box at a cost of 3.8 litres per 100km and 99 g/km of CO2.
The five-cylinder, two-litre D3 turbodiesel turns out a claimed 110kW and 350Nm, while the D4 turbodiesel - also boasting two litres and five pots - is quoted at 130kW and 400Nm, good enough for 0-100 in 7.9 seconds with the automatic gearbox (8.2 seconds with the manual, says Volvo; we'll take that under advisement).
Fuel consumption is quoted at 4.4 litres per 100km (5.2 with the auto 'box) and CO2 at 117 (manual) and 137 (auto) g/km.
PETROL ENGINES
The 1.6-litre, direct-injection T4 knocks out 132kW and 240Nm (270 on overboost), burns 5.6 litres per 100km and spews 129 g/km of CO2. It's available with either a six-speed manual or a double-clutch auto with the same number of ratios.
All-wheel drive is standard on the T5 turbopetrol, along with 187kW and 360Nm (400 on overboost), auto transmission as standard (no manual option), hill descent control, hill hold and 0-100 in six seconds flat at a cost of 8.3 litres per 100km.
The V40 Cross Country will be built alongside the standard V40 and R-Design at the Volvo plant in Ghent, Belgium, with production starting in November.
The V40 Cross Country will be released in South Africa in February 2013. Details of the local model line-up and pricing will be announced closer to the time.