Performance Review: Volvo S40 2.5 T5 AWD - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo S40 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo S40 2.5 T5 AWD is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Volvo S40 has a 2521cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The S40 shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the S40's All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1582 kgs (3487 lbs) this makes the Volvo S40 2.5 T5 AWD in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo S40 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2521cc 20V St5 engine produces 218 bhp (162 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 1500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo S40 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2011 Toyota GT 86 2.0L Coupe (162.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo S40.

The Volvo S40 has a Power to weight ratio of 137.8 bhp per ton and 149.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 S40 competing with the 2011 Toyota GT 86 2.0L Coupe (162.8 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (162.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volvo S40 generating around 149.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Infiniti FX 50 5.0 V8 (174.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Nissan 370Z 3.7 V6 Roadster (173.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Volvo S40 2.5 T5 AWD as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Volvo S40 2.5 T5 AWD is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S40 and the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Volvo S40 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.23 secs @ 89.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (15.16 secs), the 2013 Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 (15.16 secs), and the 2004 Alfa-Romeo GT 3.2 V6 Lusso (15.17 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Volvo S40 2.5 T5 AWD has a maximum speed of 0mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 S40 equals the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Volvo S40 2.5 T5 AWD then how about the 1953 Ford F-100 4.5 V8 (65 mph), the 1992 Hummer H1 6.2 V8 4 Door (68 mph), or the 1961 Renault 4 L Export (70 mph).

Related Links:

2006 S40 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison