V40 Handbrake

enquirer62 · Jan 22nd, 2014, 13:09

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

sprout99 · Jan 22nd, 2014, 13:15

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

doesn't get in the way

church0708 · Jan 22nd, 2014, 19:23

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 ?

cumbrianmale · Jan 22nd, 2014, 19:37

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

Clan · Jan 22nd, 2014, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by cumbrianmale

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 .

enquirer62 · Jan 23rd, 2014, 00:04

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

Loskie · Jan 23rd, 2014, 20:31

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.

tickedon · Jan 26th, 2014, 01:09

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!

robhar · May 27th, 2015, 08:27

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

GaryB1 · May 27th, 2015, 10:06

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.

Jan 22nd, 2014, 13:09	#1
enquirer62 Junior Member Last Online: Sep 7th, 2019 08:21 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: waterlooville	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

Jan 22nd, 2014, 13:15	#2
sprout99 Master Member Last Online: Sep 28th, 2015 03:33 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Durham	it's fine....same as the V50 we had previous. doesn't get in the way __________________ Peugeot 208 GTi Prestige BMW 330d M Sport + Mk2 Golf Gti G60....

Jan 22nd, 2014, 19:37	#4
cumbrianmale Forum Support Team Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 12:22 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep in Makem territory	I don't find the positioning a problem at all. As for whether future model go electric, who knows? __________________ Current 04 S80 D5 SE Auto 03 S80 D5 SE Man Previous Volvos 90 240 GL B230FB Auto 96 940 CD 13 V40 D2 R-design 89 745 GLE 98 V90 3.0 24v 98 945 Celebration Auto 96 965 SE Auto 86 744 GL 81 244 DL

May 27th, 2015, 08:27	#9
robhar New Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2023 15:51 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Holyhead	V40/v50 No problems with mine either , like all new things you get used to them.

May 27th, 2015, 10:06	#10
GaryB1 Junior Member Last Online: May 22nd, 2016 22:01 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Fleet	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. __________________ V40 CC D3 Geartronic Lux Nav with most options

Jan 22nd, 2014, 19:23	#3
church0708 V40 R Design D2 Last Online: Jan 9th, 2015 01:02 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Wisbech	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 ?

Jan 23rd, 2014, 00:04	#6
enquirer62 Junior Member Last Online: Sep 7th, 2019 08:21 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: waterlooville	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

Jan 23rd, 2014, 20:31	#7
Loskie Senior Member Last Online: Aug 16th, 2018 18:40 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Castle Douglas	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.

Jan 26th, 2014, 01:09	#8
tickedon Master Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2018 19:20 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London / Glasgow	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!

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