Bliksem, where did the time go? This year, Volvo fans are raising a glass (or perhaps a klippie and coke) to toast a true stalwart – the original S40 saloon officially hits the big 3-0. Cast your minds back to 1995, when this compact Swede rolled onto the scene at the Frankfurt Motor Show, ready to shake up the premium compact class.
Forget the perception of Volvos being just big, safe boxes. The S40 cleverly squeezed the comfort, solidity, and – crucially – the renowned safety of its bigger siblings, like the 850, into a more manageable, wallet-friendly package. Designed by the late, great Peter Horbury (the man behind beauties like the C70 and first XC90), it brought a touch of timeless Scandinavian elegance to the daily commute. Clean lines, practical yet stylish – it was Swedish meatball charm on four wheels.
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In its own quiet way over the years Volvo has been an automotive pioneer from being responsible for the first three-point safety belts to the first electric car I ever drove way back in the early 80s when batteries were really big, heavy and range was extremely limited.
Under the bonnet of the S40, options ranged from sensible four-cylinder petrols and diesels. But the real eyebrow-raiser was the feisty T4. Packing a 147kW punch from its 2,0-litre turbo-charged heart and a hefty 300 Nm of twist, this front-wheel-drive saloon (and its handy V40 wagon brother) could hustle. That 0-100 km/h dash in 7,3 seconds back in the day meant it could leave many a so-called hot hatch or sports car blinking in its rearview mirror.
This wasn't just showroom shine, either. The S40 proved its mettle on the track, most famously with Richard Rydell piloting one to victory in the 1998 British Touring Car Championship. It also saw action down under in the Australian Super Touring series and across Scandinavia.
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But let's be honest, Volvo's heart has always beaten strongest for safety. Here, the little S40 wasn't just good; it was a pioneer. It stunned the industry by becoming the very first car ever to bag a four-star Euro NCAP rating. Picture this: while rivals were mostly scraping two or three stars, Volvo's compact contender, with its reinforced shell, multiple airbags, and clever side-impact protection, was setting a whole new benchmark. It took years before any car achieved five stars, showing just how far ahead Volvo was thinking about keeping families safe.
While the S40 nameplate itself took its final bow in 2012, the spirit of that original compact champion is far from retired. It lives on vibrantly right here in Mzansi through the hugely popular XC40 SUV. And for those craving that old T4 zip but with a modern, green conscience? Volvo offers the punchy, all-electric XC40 Recharge and the sleek C40 Recharge coupe-SUV. The '40' badge continues to stand for that winning blend of practicality, style, and innovation.
"As Volvo's first step into the compact executive game, the S40 arrived with proper confidence," reflects Felipe Yagi, Head of Marketing and Communications at Volvo Car South Africa. "It delivered safety, comfort, and a quiet style that made people notice. It opened Volvo up to a whole new crowd. Today? That same practical, refined essence lives on in the '40' badge, brilliantly reimagined for today's drivers in our XC40 and C40 Recharge."
So, here's to 30 years of that plucky, safe, and surprisingly swift Swede. From Frankfurt show stands to BTCC podiums and now powering silently into our electric future, the first S40's legacy is firmly cemented in the tar.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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