Heico jacks up Volvo V40 Cross Country to create XC40

Sat, 24 May 2014

Because life isn't fair, we don't get the stylish wagon known as the Volvo V40 in the United States. That means we don't get its soft-roading cousin, the V40 Cross Country. So, naturally, if Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv ever produces this ruggedized, XC-styled V40 Cross Country, it most certainly wouldn't cross the pond, either.

That makes us sad, because despite holding a tiny bit of contempt for small luxury crossovers, this is a very, very cool looking vehicle. It's just a render right now, but Heico Sportiv is looking to offer the kit to V40 Cross Country owners who want a smaller version of the Volvo XC60.

Converting a V40 CC into an XC40 would start with some suspension tweaks. The ride height would be raised by just over an inch, in order to improve the looks of the soft-roader and deliver a more CUV-like ingress and egress. New shocks would also be fitted, as well. Wheel-arch extensions were also added to complete the look.

Engine mods are kept to a minimum for the petrol engine, with the turbocharged five-cylinder moving from 254 horsepower to 268 ponies. The 2.0-liter, five-cylinder diesel, though, gets a bigger bump, moving from 150 hp to 195. Finally, cars with the factory paddle shifters would get new units, milled from aluminum.

What do you think? Is this a car that you would consider? Should Volvo just offer a XC40 from the factory? Take a look at the press release, and then have your say in Comments.

Press Alert: C becomes X:

HEICO SPORTIV bows to extensive customer demand by presenting a wide-ranging individualization program specially for the Volvo V40 Cross Country.

In the past, products for Volvo's Cross Country models tended to play only a minor role in HEICO SPORTIV's pricelist. Prospective customers were particularly looking for high-quality opportunities to enhance performance. Forests and meadows were the hunting ground for Cross Country models à la Volvo XC70, but this center of gravity shifted with the launch of the Volvo V40 Cross Country. "With persistent demand from our customers and dealerships, we turned to developing components specifically for the Volvo V40 Cross Country that promote and enhance its features and character," explains HEICO SPORTIV General Manager, Holger Hedtke.

A lack of "XC" character was one of the commonest gripes. The boarding and seating positions "are too low", the optics "too soft". Objections that HEICO SPORTIV is now addressing. "We don't see ourselves purely as a performance enhancer. Rather, we aim to offer the solutions our customers desire. We've systematically realized this with the Volvo V40 CC," Holger Hedtke continues.

The first measure involved adapting the chassis, with the new sport suspension – aptly named "Cross Suspension" – raising the V40 CC ca. 30mm without sacrificing driving dynamics. HEICO also designed the shock absorbers and springs specially for the V40 CC, tuning them mutually for this unique application. The results: improved XC optics, precise driving pleasure, and more-comfortable boarding.

Matching fender extensions were constructed to further enhance the optics. The flexible, 8-piece polyurethane set is affixed using 3M adhesive tape (to avoid all cutting and drilling of the body) and can also be delivered optionally with black textured paint. This ensures a harmonious transition from the original bumper to the fender extensions and an optimal mudguard for larger wheels (e.g. for VOLUTION® 19" with 235/40R19 tires).

But HEICO SPORTIV wouldn't be the leading Volvo upgrader if the Weiterstadt developers didn't have a sport accessory or two up their sleeves: for the Volvo V40 CC, too, they have come up with: e.motion® performance enhancements for the D3 (from 110 kW/150 hp to 143 kW/195 hp) and T5 (from 187 kW/254 hp to 197 kW/268 hp) engine variants, the HEICO SPORTIV Speedpack (to raise the maximum throttled speed), and – brand new – paddle shifters milled from aluminum (for vehicles with series-manufactured steering-wheel paddle shifters), optionally in anodized silver or HEICO blue.

By Brandon Turkus