Thanks Volvo, thank you for essentially ruining the tail lights of the V50... At least their LED now EDIT: In truth, they're not THAT bad...
Nose job and tail tuck for Volvo's S40, V50
April 10, 2007
Volvo's best-selling 2006 models, the S40 sedan and V50 Sportswagon, have been given a modest face/tail lift and a reworked cabin to bring them into line with the latest Volvo styling.
Both models have moved closer to the Volvo S80 saloon's design cues and both models have a reprofiled nose and chromed "egg-crate" grille with a much larger Volvo badge and three air intakes.
Production will start in May 2007 and the cars will be in showrooms by July.
There are new, clear-cover headlights and a full-width air intake that also incorporates the front foglights. A central mesh section has replaced the three-part air intake.
The S40's new tail lights include LED brake lights but are smaller and 30mm higher. A new rear bumper, revised boot release design and a more sporting exhaust complete the visual makeover on both cars.
The V50 Sportswagon's revised rear gets slimmer tall tail lights with LED brake lights - the rest is much the same as the sedan, including the exhaust.
The door sills on both models have also been changed; their cabins have been given more storage space and there's a wider choice of trim.
Their "floating" centre stack has revised controls and there's a "multifunction" storage box between the front seats, a smaller handbrake and a revised front armrest.
The lower sections of the front door panels are now wider and Bi-Xenon headlights with swivelling beams can be specified as an option.
Under emergency braking or when the anti-lock function is activated the three brake lights will flash five times a second to warn following drivers of the emergency. (whether everyone will be able to tell they ARE actually flashing and understand what they mean I do not know...)
IsoFix child-seat anchors and water-repellent windscreens and side glass are also now featured as standard.
A six-speed manual gearbox will be introduced for the D5 diesel and will make the TurboDiesel D5 not only the fastest diesel Volvo to date but also one of the cleanest.
Pictures: www.worldcarfans.com