VOLVO has launched a 1.6-litre £14,745 on-the-road addition to its V40 line-up which the manufacturer claims undercuts rivals from BMW, Audi, Ford, Rover, Vauxhall and Volkswagen. Air conditioning, ABS brakes, SIPS side impact protection and side airbags are all standard on the V40 - sister car to the S40 1.6.

Other standard equipment includes electric front windows, power steering, height adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel, central locking, electrically adjustable door mirrors and an RDS radio-cassette. The V40 is powered by a four-cylinder 16v 105bhp unit producing 143Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. It has a top speed of 115mph with a 0-60 mph time of under 13 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 33.2mpg.