Performance Review: Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo S40 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l 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 1590 kgs (3505 lbs) this makes the Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 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 227 bhp (169 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 2018 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Turbo (167.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo S40.

The Volvo S40 has a Power to weight ratio of 142.7 bhp per ton and 148.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 S40 competing with the 2018 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Turbo (167.6 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (167.5 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 148.4 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 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT (173.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Audi A5 S5 3.0 Quattro Cabriolet (173.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.6 secs, this made the Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Beetle 2.0 TSi Cabriolet (7.40 secs). This Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD is also faster than the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs) the and the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S40 and the 1992 Nissan Sunny GTi R

When talking about the performance of the Volvo S40 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.05 secs @ 90.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1992 Nissan Sunny GTi R (14.98 secs), the 1988 Aston-Martin Volante 5.3L V8 (14.98 secs), and the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 Biturbo Evoluzione (14.99 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 S40 equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

2007 S40 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison