ABOUT THE VOLVO V50

The Volvo V50 was introduced in 2003 Bologna Motor Show and manufactured at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

It is based on the Ford C1 platform, as is the Mazda "3". Volvo Cars Special Vehicle also produced a concept car based on the V50, the V50 SV, whose engine produces 340 hp (179 kW), and debuted at the 2004 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Highlights of the V50's interior design include soft "theatre" lighting of various sections, and a translucent "iced aqua" center stack. In safety, the V50 features "Volvo Intelligent Vehicle Architecture". The top-of-the line V50 is the T5 AWD. This model features four-wheel drive and a straight-5 2.5-litre petrol engine with a light-pressure turbocharger. Its valvetrain has four valves per cylinder and is a DOHC design with variable camshaft timing.

The engine provides 220 bhp (164 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lbft) of torque. In Europe the 2.4 Liter turbocharged D5 diesel engine which provides 180 bhp (134 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lbft) of torque is also available. The output of that motor was downgraded from the original diesel motor in the XC90 which produces 185 bhp (138 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lbft) of torque.

In 2008 Volvo Car Corp has recently confirmed that the next generation V50 will grow in size to be aligned on the side of the next generation S60. Volvo will not reintroduce the S40 and the V50 will become the estate variant for the S60, just as the V70 is the estate variant of the S80.

Thanks to Wikipedia for contributing to this FAQ!