Pricing and specification has been announced for the new Volvo V40 hatchback, and it looks like good news for company car drivers.
Unveiled to the public at the Geneva Motor Show last month, the five-seat, five-door V40 is set to get a range of low-CO2-emitting diesel engines and P11d values which are geared towards driving company car tax costs right down.
Volvo expects the V40 to go up against class-leading competition in the shape of the Audi A3 Sportback and the five-door Ford Focus.
The company car drivers’ favourite will be the V40 fitted with the D2 diesel engine. This 1.6-litre unit, when mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, is capable of CO2 emissions of 94g/km and fuel economy of 78.5mpg. With emissions that low you’re looking at paying 13% Benefit-in-Kind for the next two tax years, rising to 14% in 2014/15.
So crunching the numbers, a company car driver on the 20% pay scale will be in for £43 per month in tax, while a 40% tax payer will be in for £85.
Even entry level ES spec cars will come with a raft of safety options such as a pedestrian airbag, Volvo’s City Safety low-speed braking system, stability control and traction control. Other standard equipment includes 16-inch wheels, Bluetooth and music streaming, electric windows, climate control, a high-performance audio system with 5-inch screen, a leather steering wheel and gear knob and textile floor mats.
Move up to SE spec to get different upholstery, cruise control, steering wheel remote controls, electric folding mirrors, ground lighting and keyless start.
Next, SE Lux trim means leather seating, 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, bending Xenon headlights and a headlight washer system.
All V40 Nav models will get a seven-inch screen with full European mapping, a DVD player and two free annual map updates.
