Volvo’s feisty performance partner Heico Sportiv has turned the wick on the Swedish brand’s V40 with the presentation of a new concept that may soon be offered to European buyers. It is named the V40 T5 HPC, which is an abbreviation for “High Performance Concept”.
Heico states that it is “world’s most powerful Volvo V40” adding that the hatchback’s “350 hp, 4-wheel drive and extremely dynamic driving characteristics are the ingredients that make the sporty compact car an interesting alternative to the Audi S3 Sportback, BMW M135i xDrive and Mercedes A45 AMG.”
Built around the standard V40 Cross Country T5 that sports a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five with 251hp (254PS) and all-wheel drive, Heico revamps the turbocharger, exhaust system (including sport catalytic converter and flap control), intercooler and charge-air system to boost output to 316hp (320PS), and when the water-ethanol injection system is activated, to as much as 345hp (350PS). Peak torque is lifted from 360Nm (265 lb-ft) to 510Nm (376 lb-ft).
With the automated gearbox, the V40 T5 HPC accelerates to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 265 km/h (165mph).
Other improvements over the regular model include a 30mm lowered sports suspension, a six-piston sport brake system with bigger discs, new 235/35R19 ContiForceContact cup tires shod in lightweight 19-inch alloys and a selection of aero parts on the outside, while the interior is upgraded with new sport leather seats (Recaros up front) and Alcantara trim with contrast green stitches.
“While the S80 HPC was purely a concept car, the V40 HPC has been designed as a series-producible vehicle, with approval for normal roads and for everyday use,” said Heico Sportiv General Manager, Holger Hedtke. “The HPC combines HEICO SPORTIV’s Volvo V40 individualization program with a number of specially developed high-performance components.”
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