The S40 shares its platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma

1.8-litre S40 is powered by a four-cylinder version of the five-cylinder powerplant that drives the larger S70

The 1.8-litre, all-alloy engine features 16 valves and twin camshafts

Engine develops 90kW at 5800rpm and 170Nm of torque at 4000rpm

The engine drives through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox

The automatic transmission, which features economy, sport and winter settings, is borrowed from the S70

Suspension is by MacPherson struts at the front and an independent multi-link setup at the rear

Suspension improvements include a redesigned MacPherson strut that separates damper and spring forces

A new stay on the front cross member improves suspension rigidity

Shock absorber settings were changed to improve ride quality

The multi-link system features upper and lower links and incorporates a degree of passive rear-wheel steering to improve cornering

Dynamic Stability Assistance, Volvo's traction control system, is optional

Four-wheel discs with anti-lock brakes are standard

Dual front and front-seat mounted side airbags are part of the safety package

The rear seat features bolsters to allow children between the ages of three and 10 to sit high enough to get the full benefit of the seatbelt and headrest

The S40 has far more rounded lines than previous Volvos