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"         Volvo&amp;#039;s entry-level S40 has spent the past four years quietly going about its business, introducing younger customers to the Volvo fold and giving loyalists a solid, albeit understated small sedan to call their own. It was one of the first models to move away from the company&amp;#039;s traditionally boxy design theme, yet now at the end of its product cycle, it&amp;#039;s also the last of the sedans to adopt the company&amp;#039;s sleeker, more distinctive styling.   At first glance, the 2004 S40 looks like a smaller, somewhat truncated version of its midsize sibling, the S60. It shares a similar nose, shoulders and pleasingly proportioned profile, but in a more compact package. Dimensionally, it&amp;#039;s actually 2.0 in. shorter than the outgoing model, yet wider, taller and roomier inside. The wheelbase has been extended 3.0 in., reducing overhangs and giving the S40 a more athletic stance.   Just as unexpected is the interior design, which comes across as exceedingly clean and refreshingly devoid of clutter. Opting for style over opulence, the cockpit&amp;#039;s centerpiece is the central control stack, an elegantly curved panel that cleverly ties the dashboard to the floor. Only a couple of inches thick, it opens up space behind to the firewall, creating an airy-feeling interior that makes no secret of the S40&amp;#039;s Scandinavian roots. Depending on the model, this center stack and assorted trim pieces are available in aluminum, dark wood or a corresponding interior color.   Under its skin, the S40 offers a choice of two inline 5-cylinder engines. The base engine, a 2.4-liter normally aspirated 168-bhp unit, powers the S40 2.4i model, while the sportier S40 T5 gets a 2.5-liter 218-bhp turbocharged variant. Both engines are based on S60 powerplants, but have been retuned slightly and modified to fit the S40&amp;#039;s smaller engine bay.   For initial launch this spring, both models will arrive with 5-speed automatic transmissions and front-wheel drive. By midsummer, however, the 2.4i will be available with a 5-speed manual. At the same time, the T5 will gain all-wheel-drive capability plus the 6-speed manual transmission from the S60 R.   The S40 benefits from an all-new chassis that employs a MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension. Shared with the Mazda3 and upcoming European-market Ford Focus, this latest global platform is considerably stiffer than the one it replaces and as such, delivers a more engaging driving experience. Even without the benefit of all-wheel drive, the front-drive S40 T5 feels both stable and light on its feet. Steering feedback is easily the best of any modern Volvo, wonderfully devoid of the numbness that has plagued the Swedish marque for years. Crash safety, always a Volvo priority, is also improved thanks to the clever use of varying grades of steel throughout the body structure.   Experienced as a whole, the package delivers excellent performance not only for an entry-level Volvo, but also for most any car in its category. The S40 T5 in particular will happily blast down any road with ample reserves of power and poise. Nearly instantaneous access to its 236 lb.-ft. of torque makes the T5 feel faster than its 218 horses would indicate, the engine quietly asking to be driven harder. Not to be outdone by its powerplant, the chassis, too, is a willing participant, remaining composed on everything from twisting back roads to high-speed Interstates.   No pricing has yet been announced, but Volvo plans to offer the base S40 2.4i for less than $24,000, while a fully loaded awd S40 T5 with the 6-speed manual should just break into the low 30s.   Better than its predecessor in every way, the S40, especially in T5 trim, is arguably as fun to drive as its high-tech big brother, the S60 R. A lighter, more tossable chassis, surprisingly strong power delivery and fewer electronic gadgets add up to increased driver involvement. Throw in snazzy new styling and a sportier attitude, and the 2004 S40 is transformed from one of the segment&amp;#039;s more conservative players into a bold and capable new contender. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a10216/2004-volvo-s40/>