You’re not likely to encounter a moose on Australia’s roads. Kangaroos, yes. Cattle, yes. Sheep, yes. But a moose? Not likely. However, any car – even a car that never makes it out of the city – should be able to pass the (in)famous Moose Avoidance Test. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the Volvo V50 2.4i passes this test with flying colours. What else can you expect from a vehicle created by this renowned Swedish country (manufactured where the odd stray moose is likely to wander onto the road – in icy conditions)?

So how does the Volvo V50 2.4i do it? What’s it got to make it safe? When you answer this question, it’s hard to know where to start. Do you start with the optional active bending headlights (which won’t actually help the moose avoidance test itself but will help you see oncoming wildlife on the road, or whatever your local equivalent of a moose is)? Or do you start with the intelligent driver information system, which shuts down all potential distractions like the integrated phone until things get less dicey? The list of safety features inside the Volvo V50 2.4i goes just on and on, ranging from little things like the safety belt reminder that tells you exactly who hasn’t made it click to bigger things like the side impact protection system and the full kit of airbags (front, side and curtain).

But those things are the passive safety features of the Volvo V50 2.4i. It’s the active safety features that help the Volvo V50 2.4i get through the Moose Avoidance Test. The DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) anti-skid system, the EBD and the ABS brakes have a lot to do with it, but so does the responsive power steering, the finely tuned suspension and the grippy 16” tyres.

OK, so the Volvo V50 2.4i and it handles well. So does a tank, but you don’t see people queuing up at the local car dealers in Newcastle or wherever to buy a tank (OK, you might find a few who want a Humvee…). Cars are about more than just safety, even though safety is one of the things that Volvo do very well indeed. They’re also about safety, performance and practicality – and style.

The key thing that sets the Volvo V50 2.4i apart from its other V50 siblings is the engine. Specifically, this is a five-cylinder 2.4 litre petrol engine with CVVT and emissions control technology that help it comply with modern standards for protecting the environment. Exactly what this 2.4 litre engine is capable of depends on which transmission it’s coupled to; a five-speed manual or a five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission are your choices in the Volvo V50 2.4i. But there’s plenty you can do with 125 kW of power. And the fuel economy’s pretty impressive, too, for a good-sized stationwagon.

Inside, the Volvo V50 2.4i is positively palatial. Yes, it’s got the comfortable seats we’ve come to expect as standard on all top quality European cars (cloth trim in the Volvo V50 2.4i S; leather in the LE). However, both the S and the LE models have a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear-knob. The cloth trim is complemented by aluminium trim, while the LE matches the leather with Nordic Light Oak wood trim. The driver will also find the controls for the electronic climate control, the cruise control, the MP3 compatible CD/radio system (the audio controls are mounted on the stereo), all within easy reach. However, the driver won’t be able to reach the power outlet that is designed for a rear seat entertainment system but can have other uses. The Volvo V50 2.4i seats five people very comfortably, and the rear seats fold flat to increase the load space in the rear.

You can always expect a Swedish car to look stunning, and the Volvo V50 2.4i is certainly no exception to this rule. It’s hard to think which exterior feature looks the best. Some would say the roof rails (a very handy feature), some would say the body-coloured door handles, while others would say the touches of chrome or the little fog lamps.

The Volvo V50 2.4i doesn’t just pass the Moose Avoidance Test, but passes any other sort of test that you can think of putting it through.

The current model series includes the:

• Volvo V50 2.4i S
• Volvo V50 2.4i LE

For any more information on Volvo V50 2.4i, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Volvo dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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