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I give Volvo points for the styling, although I'm not sure about
rear headroom. The car didn't seem much smaller than the S60, and
with the same engine choices (168hp 5-cyl and turbo 5), is there
any major advantage other than price? A manual transmission is
available, unlike on the old S40, which is nice, and the Volvo (not
Ford or Mitsubishi) "white block" engines seem to be used on all
S40s.
.
I disliked the slimline center console immensely. The thing is
all-digital and has radio and climate-control functions in the
same panel, so woe to the owner whose electronics fail, requiring
him to replace everything. Woe also to those who want to install
an aftermarket radio because of some new feature 8.5 years down
the line. An unoccupied DIN slot is not available, because
the radio and climate control seem to share a display. OTOH, the
dash-mounted key switch for the ignition is a good thing (harking
back to the 240s and 740s) and (I assume) makes finding it easier.
.
Overall, seemingly a nice car, but I haven't driven it. One thing
that automakers (and I'm not only talking about Volvo) should learn
is that, yes, computers and digital displays have become immensely
cheap and ubiquitous. But, sometimes, the best and more reliable
way to control a mechanical device is, well, mechanically, rather
than through a button-controlling-a-microcontrolled-running-a-
servomotor. The same goes for integrated systems in a car. Network
them if you like, but make them able to operate independently and
tolerant of faults in other systems.
.
I would have much fewer objections to in-car networking if it were
done through commonly available and easily replaceable modules rather
than proprietary hardware. For example, you should be able to go
to your local autoparts store and buy a "rear light module" that
responds to standard commands coming over, say, a car's non-critical
systems bus, takes a +12V input, and has outputs for the 3 brake
lights, the turn signals, the taillights, rear fogs, and reverse
lights. Sort of like an advanced relay. Even give it the ability
to communicate bulb (won't we be using all LED's soon) faults
back to the dash display.
.
-b.
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