V40 Handbrake
 

Nearly a year ago I bought my first Volvo, a V60 Se Lux. I did look at the new V40 coming out then and would have gone for it as it ticked every box except one. The big no no for me was the siting of the Handbrake, hard up against the passenger seat... I would be interested in V40 owners views on the Handbrake position and if future versions will stay the same or possibly go electric as is the V60.
Regards, David
2012 V60 D2 DRIVe Start/Stop SE Lux, Silver, Dab, Sunroof, 49MPG Average

it's fine....same as the V50 we had previous.

doesn't get in the way

No problems here, does take a bit of getting used to reaching across for it but then how often do you actually use it during the course of the day ?

I don't find the positioning a problem at all. As for whether future model go electric, who knows?

they wont change the handbrake now , they would have done that at launch if they wanted it to have an electric handbrake , the V40 will have a limited life as volvo are developing their own non ford platforms in the next few years .

Many thanks for all the above comments. looks like I will be keeping the V60 for a while. What puzzles me is that as most new premium cars are built to order, European manufacturers, Volvo and VW in particular, do not move the hand brake a few inches to the other side of centre console to accommodate right hand drive.
Presumably to do with cost, or manufacturing process. No doubt someone will enlighten me with the answer.
Regards, David
2012 Volvo V60 D2 DRIVe, SE Lux, Dab, Sunroof, 49MPG average

I looked at the V40 cross country last week when I was in Lloyds getting my car serviced. I was extremely pleasantly surprised to see that it had a manual handbrake.
I had made the assumption it would be electric as in the V60 loan car.The position of the electric switch is appalling. Low down on the RHS.

I am guessing the V40 will feel the same as the V50 which was fine when I got used to it although sometimes you have to be a wee bit careful you are not going to crush your passengers hand.
Provision of an electric handbrake may help me choose against a model of car. I am not a fan and fail to see the benefit.

I had a Ford Focus for years with the handbrake on the 'wrong side'. Was sometimes a bit annoying if a passenger had their hand/arm in the wrong place, but otherwise managed to live with it.

Now with an S60, I much prefer the position and electronic brake!

V40/v50
 

No problems with mine either , like all new things you get used to them.

my previous car was a VW Passat with a well positioned electronic handbrake which I really liked. When I first saw the V40 and noticed the old style manual handbrake it did put me off a little. Now that I have been driving mine for a few months as others have said I have grown used to it.

As an aside my wife has a S60 with the electronic handbrake and says she wishes hers was manual like mine.