Performance Review: Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo V40 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8.This particular Volvo V40 has a 2497cc 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 V40 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 V40's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1498 kgs (3302 lbs) this makes the Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo V40 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2497cc 20V St5 engine produces 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 295 lb-ft (399.9 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo V40 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 (191.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo V40.

The Volvo V40 has a Power to weight ratio of 166.8 bhp per ton and 196.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 V40 competing with the 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 (191.8 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro (191.6 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 V40 generating around 196.9 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 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454 425bhp (221.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Lotus 340 R (221.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the V40 and the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71

When talking about the performance of the Volvo V40 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.73 secs @ 92.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (14.66 secs), the 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i (14.66 secs), and the 2018 BMW X6 M50d 3.0 Turbo (14.66 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 V40 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Volvo V40 T5 2.5 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 V40 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison