Facelifted versions of the Volvo V40 and V40 Cross Country will hit the Indian shores in December. These fraternal twins have been on sale in India since 2015 and this is the first major update for both models since their arrival.
The facelifted Volvo V40 was showcased at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and is the first major update for the hatchback. The changes, while not extensive, are cosmetic  in nature and include both the cabin as well as the outside. The car retains the overall design of the outgoing model but now gets the revised grille and ‘Thor hammer’ headlights.

The overall layout of the cabin too has not changed but it gets a few updates in the form of a larger touchscreen system, revised digital display for the instrument cluster and a multitude of upholstery and trim options. However, given Volvo’s strategy for the Indian market, we believe that they will bring the hatchback here in one or two top-of-the-line trim levels. It will be offered with a 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 150bhp/350Nm of torque with power going to the front wheels via a six-speed AT.

It is a similar story for the V40 Cross Country which sports all the same design highlights as the hatchback but with a body kit, taller wheels and higher ground clearance. The cabin too will get the same updates as the standard hatchback. We also believe that the R-Design variant will be offered by the middle of next year for this version of the V40 Cross Country. The diesel version makes use of the 2.0-litre engine while the petrol unit is a 1.6-litre unit producing 180bhp/240Nm with power going to the front wheels via a six-speed AT.

Both vehicles are the entry-level models for the Swedish automaker in India. We believe that there will be only marginal price hikes for both these cars when they are launched. They will arrive here via the CBU route and while the V40 will take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 Series, while  the V40 Cross Country will rival the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and BMW X1.

[source;Carwale]