Volvo V40 T5 2.5 - 1 of 17 in the UK

[GL01]

Finally getting round to starting a thread for this one, I've had the car about two months now and enjoyed every second of driving it.

This is my 2013 (MY13), Volvo V40 T5 R-Design Lux Nav. To most this looks like a slighly sporty version of the V40, unmissable in the aptly named "Rebel Blue". This is actually my second V40, before this I had an almost identical example in 'basic' R-Design spec with the 2.0 4pot petrol.

Most of the 250 (ish) V40 T5s had a very capable and relatively economical 2.0 4 cylinder, with about 240hp and an 8-speed auto. However, this example is one of 17 V40's built for the UK market with Volvo's renowned 5 cylinder T5 engine, the same one found in the MK2 Focus ST (ST225). In the V40's case the engine has slightly more power from factory than the ST and earlier C30/S40/V50's with the same engine (254hp/360Nm) along with a 6 speed auto box (sadly the only option available).



The car currently sits on Pilot Sport 4's, a bargain at £350 fitted all around!


This example is also an ex Volvo Cars UK media / head office car, meaning it has a range of optional extras including:

- Sat Nav
- Dolby Pro Logic II sound system
- Adaptive Cruise Control, City Braking, Road Sign Information, Lane Keeping Aid
- Memory Seats
- Keyless Entry and Start
- Panoramic Roof
- Heated seats, windscreen
- Front & Rear sensors, Park Pilot

All this makes for a quirky and unusual hot hatch, which can be enjoyable both at 70 on the motorway with minimal cabin noise, comfortable seats, adaptive cruise and a good sound system or down country lanes, windows open and the 5 cylinder roaring away. It may not handle as well as its direct competitor - the Golf GTi but you're a lot less likely to see another one of these around and you can't beat the sound of a five cylinder!

My plans for the car are still under question - these engines have huge potential for power, however ith only 17 examples of the 2.5 in the V40 I am considering a smaller backbox / valved system and leaving the car at that as an unmodified example. The auto box needs a service and it has already been through its 8 year major with a car club friend who is a service advisor for a main dealer. New pads all around and all four tyres were recently replaced with Pilot Sports (pictured above).

I hope to get out to some local Piston Heads meets or events (Surrey based) soon!

[andburg]

Lovely, never realised they actually did these with the 2.5

[GL01]

andburg said:

Lovely, never realised they actually did these with the 2.5

Neither did I, until this came up. I've had a couple of Volvo techs also tell me they didn't know these existed which shows how rare these are.

[Ambleton]

Never knew they did these. Think I'd prefer it in a less eye-catching colour and trim level though. A bold volvo doesn't really do it for me.

I keep eyeing up V60 T6s. >300bhp and awd in an otherwise bland looking volvo estate would suit me perfectly.

[Evil.soup]

One of my very favorite engines of all time, the sound is astounding!! Very rare in one of these and a nice combo for my taste.

[GL01]

Ambleton said:

Never knew they did these. Think I'd prefer it in a less eye-catching colour and trim level though. A bold volvo doesn't really do it for me.

I keep eyeing up V60 T6s. >300bhp and awd in an otherwise bland looking volvo estate would suit me perfectly.

I wasn't 100% on getting another Rebel, however there are so few of these coming up I couldn't really sit out for another colour as it would be a few years wait to see another go for sale!

[qoute=Evil.soup]One of my very favorite engines of all time, the sound is astounding!! Very rare in one of these and a nice combo for my taste. [/qoute]

The factory exhaust is a little underwhelming, so will be getting another soon! Rebel blue isn't to everyones taste, as I said above it's a great colour but sometimes a little too eye catching. At least people can't claim they "didnt see me"...

[Evil.soup]

GL01 said:

Ambleton said:

Never knew they did these. Think I'd prefer it in a less eye-catching colour and trim level though. A bold volvo doesn't really do it for me.

I keep eyeing up V60 T6s. >300bhp and awd in an otherwise bland looking volvo estate would suit me perfectly.

I wasn't 100% on getting another Rebel, however there are so few of these coming up I couldn't really sit out for another colour as it would be a few years wait to see another go for sale!

[qoute=Evil.soup]One of my very favorite engines of all time, the sound is astounding!! Very rare in one of these and a nice combo for my taste. [/qoute]

The factory exhaust is a little underwhelming, so will be getting another soon! Rebel blue isn't to everyones taste, as I said above it's a great colour but sometimes a little too eye catching. At least people can't claim they "didnt see me"...

In for a penny I say with one of these, they are so rare you may as well shout about it and stand out!

[F1GTRUeno]

Now on my list as I love that engine sound.

I really like this a lot and the blue is great.

[GL01]

F1GTRUeno said:

Now on my list as I love that engine sound.

I really like this a lot and the blue is great.

If you can find one, go for it! The blue is a marmite colour, it didn't sell well from new but has quite a following. Rebel Blue S60, V60, V70 and XC60s are rare as hell too, but plenty of Rebel examples of the C30s and V40s.

[V6todayTurboManana]

Awesome car hunting, a 2.5 5 pot in a car that size is very desirable. I'm it must go well with just that displacement but with the added turbo...joy.

I'm quite drawn to Volvo's recently and love the blue.

[F1GTRUeno]

GL01 said:

If you can find one, go for it! The blue is a marmite colour, it didn't sell well from new but has quite a following. Rebel Blue S60, V60, V70 and XC60s are rare as hell too, but plenty of Rebel examples of the C30s and V40s.

I guess unless you sell yours then 1 in 17 is gonna take a while! But yeah, will keep an eye out.

The blue isn't quite the same as Polestar's colours is it? Think aside from it just being a nice colour, I associate fast Volvo's with that colour now so that's why it works for me.

[Mike1990]

Such a rare and left field hot hatch, it’s great! Even the 2.0T version is a rare car.

[PT1984]

Brilliant. I was actually looking for any T5 on Autotrader and there were none.

I have a RB V40, a D4 but I do the mileage. It does a solid 50mpg. And it is pretty quick. It’s having a Polestar map in a few weeks. Have a look if they offer one for the T5. Mines a manual but it’s meant to improve the auto box.

Edited by PT1984 on Wednesday 28th July 09:33

[GL01]

PT1984 said:

Brilliant. I was actually looking for any T5 on Autotrader and there were none.

I have a RB V40, a D4 but I do the mileage. It does a solid 50mpg. And it is pretty quick. It’s having a Polestar map in a few weeks. Have a look if they offer one for the T5. Mines a manual but it’s meant to improve the auto box.

Edited by PT1984 on Wednesday 28th July 09:33

Are you part of the "Volvo V40 Crew" on Facebook? Don't think I've seen your car about on there (there is 7k of us mind you!). The D4s map well, a friend of mines has 230hp and 500Nm torque, stock manual.

[GL01]

Mike1990 said:

Such a rare and left field hot hatch, it’s great! Even the 2.0T version is a rare car.

You're right, not many 2.0s about. They get all the polestar bits, remap, exhaust etc which the 2.5 doesn't.

Thanks to all others for the nice comments, glad others can appreciate the car too!

[PT1984]

GL01 said:

Are you part of the "Volvo V40 Crew" on Facebook? Don't think I've seen your car about on there (there is 7k of us mind you!). The D4s map well, a friend of mines has 230hp and 500Nm torque, stock manual.

I’m not. But I’m about to join!