The Volvo V50 is the station wagon version of the Volvo S40 small family car, produced by Volvo Cars, introduced in 2003 Bologna Motor Show and manufactured at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

It is based on the Ford C1 platform, as is the Mazda "3". Volvo Cars Special Vehicle also produced a concept car based on the V50, the V50 SV, whose engine produces 340 hp (179 kW), and debuted at the 2004 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Highlights of the V50's interior design include soft "theatre" lighting of various sections, and a translucent "iced aqua" center stack. In safety, the V50 features "Volvo Intelligent Vehicle Architecture".

The top-of-the line V50 is the T5 AWD. This model features four-wheel drive and a straight-5 2.5-litre petrol engine with a light-pressure turbocharger. Its valvetrain has four valves per cylinder and is a DOHC design with variable camshaft timing. The engine provides and of torque. In Europe the 2.4 Liter turbocharged D5 diesel engine which provides and of torque is also available. The output of that motor was downgraded from the original diesel motor in the XC90 which produces and of torque.

In 2008 Volvo Car Corp has recently confirmed that the next generation V50 will grow in size to be aligned on the side of the next generation S60. Volvo will not reintroduce the S40 and the V50 will become the estate variant for the S60, just as the V70 is the estate variant of the S80.

Facelift

For the model year 2008, the V50 along with the S40 has been facelifted with minor modifications:

• similar front as the 2008 V70
• modifications to the taillights
• some minor modifications to the interior (new upholstery and armrest design)
• some new options (active xenon headlights)
• new audio systems
• power and torque of the T5 increased
• D5 now also available with 6-speed manual
• new Flexifuel engine: 1.8 Flexifuel

Restricted sales

See also

• Volvo S40
• Volvo P1 platform

References

• "The all-new Volvo V50", a Volvo Cars North America news release
• "SEMA 2004: Hot-blooded Volvo V50 SV Concept Car Debuts at 2004 SEMA"