Review: Volvo Mk.2-I V50 (2004-07)

Overview

Released in June 2004, the Volvo Mk.2 Phase I (Mk.2-I) V50 was a five-door wagon. Manufactured in Ghent, Belgium, the Volvo V50 range initially consisted of the front-wheel drive 2.4 and T5 variants. From 2006, however, the V50 T5 was fitted with a Haldex all-wheel drive system and, in 2007, the D5 was introduced.

Engine: B5244S4 (2.4), B5254T3 (T5) and D5244T (D5)

Of the engines,

For the 2.4 variants, the 2.4-litre B5244S4 five-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder heads, fracture-split steel connecting rods, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing for the intake camshaft and a compression ratio of 10.3:1;
The 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbocharged petrol engine for T5 variants had similar properties but added a K04 Borg Warner turbocharger which provided peak boost pressure of 0.65 bar, an intercooler, continuously variable valve timing for the exhaust camshaft and had a compression ratio of 9.0:1; and,
For the D5 variants, the 2.4-litre D5244T8 (automatic) and D5244T13 (manual) turbo-diesel engines both had an aluminium block, common-rail direct injection (operating at 1600 bar), variable geometry turbocharger, cooled exhaust gas recirculation, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.3:1.

Volvo Mk.2-I V50 specifications
Variant	Year	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
2.4, 2.4 SE	2004-05	2435 cc B5244S4 petrol I5	5sp auto, 5sp man.	125 kW at 6000 rpm	230 Nm at 4400 rpm
2.4 S, 2.4 LE	2006-07	2435 cc B5244S4 petrol I5	5sp auto, 5sp man.	125 kW at 6000 rpm	230 Nm at 4400 rpm
T5 (FWD)	2004-05	2522 cc B5254T3 turbo petrol I5	5sp auto, 6sp man.	162 kW at 5000 rpm	320 Nm at 1500-4800 rpm
T5 AWD	2006-07	2522 cc B5254T3 turbo petrol I5	5sp auto, 6sp man.	162 kW at 5000 rpm	320 Nm at 1500-4800 rpm
D5	2007	2400 cc D5244T8 turbo diesel I5	5sp auto	132 kW at 4000 rpm	350 Nm at 1750 rpm

AWD system

From 2006 to 2007, the Volvo V50 T5 had a Haldex-based all-wheel drive system with a multi-plate clutch. In normal conditions, the system provided a 95:5 front:rear torque split. If the front wheels lost traction, however, the multi-plate clutch would engage to provide an even front:rear torque distribution (i.e. a 50:50 front:rear torque split).

Dimensions and body

Co-developed with the Volvo Mk.2 S40 , the Volvo V50 was underpinned by Volvo’s P1 platform. Compared to the Volvo Mk.1 V40 which it replaced, the Mk.2 V50 was 2 mm shorter (at 4514 mm), but was 54 mm wider (1770 mm), 27 mm taller (1452 mm) and had a 78 mm longer wheelbase. The new body achieved a 34 per cent increased in torsional rigidity.

Suspension and steering

The Volvo Mk.2 V50 had MacPherson strut front and independent, multi-link rear suspension. Furthermore, the Volvo V50 had rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo V50 2.4 and D5 variants included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, Volvo’ s Whiplash Protection System (‘WHIPS’), anti-submarining seats, seatbelt pretensioners for the front and outer rear seats and load limiting seatbelts for the front seats. The V50 T5 was further equipped with electronic stability control.

From 2006, brake assist was fitted as standard across the range.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2004 Volvo Mk.2 S40 sedan – with which the V50 shared its architecture – fitted with a 2.4-litre engine received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.15 out of 37. In the frontal offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the front occupants. In the side impact and pole tests, however, the S40 received maximum points.

Features: Volvo S50

Initially, standard features for the Volvo V50 2.4 included 16-inch alloy wheels, an six speaker sound system with a CD player, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, a multi-function steering wheel, a 1/3 to 2/3 split and folding rear seat, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, cargo cover, roof rails, and immobiliser.

The Volvo V50 2.4 SE was further equipped with leather seats, a power adjustable driver’ s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, trip computer, floor mats and wood-effect interior inlays (the latter unique within the V50 range).

Beyond this, the V50 T5 added 17-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli 205/50 89W tyres, an eight speaker sound system, bi-xenon headlights with washers and aluminium interior inlays.

2006: Volvo V50 update

With the introduction of the Volvo V50 2.4 S and 2.4 LE in 2006, standard features were revised. Compared to the original V50 2.4, the 2.4 S and 2.4 LE both had dual-zone climate control air conditioning and heated mirrors, while the 2.4 LE was distinguished by its eight speaker sound system, leather seats, power adjustable driver’s seat and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Released in 2007, the D5 was similarly equipped to the 2.4 S.

The Volvo V50 T5 gained a six-disc CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, heated front seats and rain-sensing wipers.

Review: Volvo Mk.2-II V50 (2007-12)