In keeping with Volvo's exalted safety reputation, it should come as no surprise that many of the upgrades involved such things as the side impact protection system, a new version of the side airbags and the Whiplash Protection System seats that have won prizes and caused insurance premiums to fall.
Volvo believes that it's also done a lot to make an S/V40 model avoid a crash by improving the handling of the chassis, adding more sophisticated anti-lock brakes, and making its Dynamic Stability Assistance traction system an option.
The S/V40 is more than a safety sled, however, thanks to its compact size (2550 mm wheelbase, 4483 mm overall length and 1360-1380 kg curbweight) and the turbo-charged engine that propels it.
As tricked up for North America, the light-pressure, 1.9-litre inline-4 delivers 160 horsepower at 5100 rpm and 170 pound-feet of torque from 1800 to 4800 rpm. This torque swath provides for a 0 to 100 kmh time of about 8.5 seconds, which is not bad.