Volvo Unwraps V50 at Bologna

Volvo Car pulls the cover back on its new V50 sportwagon at the Bologna Motor Show.

The V50 joins the new S40 sedan in Volvo's lineup, replacing the V40 wagon that bowed in late 1995 and has been on sale in the U.S. since 1999.

Like the new S40, the V50 shares mechanicals with the new Mazda3, Ford C-Max and upcoming European Focus. It will go on sale in the U.S. next summer as an '05 model.

Power comes from either a normally aspirated 2.4L 168-hp 5-cyl. or a 2.5L 5-cyl. featuring a light-pressure turbocharger that helps deliver 218 hp. Both engines incorporate dual-overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.

A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard and electronically controlled all-wheel drive is optional.

Volvo says the V50 hits 60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.5 seconds with the base engine and in 6.8 seconds with the turbo. Top speed with either engine is 130 mph (209 km/h).

Both the S40 and V50 will be built at Volvo's Ghent, Belgium, plant, where total capacity is 270,000 vehicles.

In addition to the S40 and V50, Ghent also will produce the S60. Production of the Volvo V70 is being transferred to the Torslanda, Sweden, plant, which also builds the XC70, S80 and XC90.

Volvo says it expects to sell about 74,000 V50s worldwide, including 6,500 in the U.S. annually. Germany and Sweden are expected to be the car's largest markets.

Volvo is aiming the new model at younger buyers.