A unique vehicle is cruising the streets of St. Petersburg. The logo on the radiator grille says that it’s a Volvo. And if you look closely, there's really guessed the Swedish roots of V40 CrossCountry.
At first glance, it is not very easy to recognize in its appearance: it is different from all the Swedish car brand models, it has more sporty silhouette and roar of tuned engine, thanks to which this unique car can compete different legendary sports cars.
You may ask how it can happen. In general, the question is clear: Volvo means safe, reliable family car for the most part of the audience and they cannot get where the power, fun and aggressiveness can grow from?
This car is a product of the cooperation of two very different companies — car dealer and online retailer. Under the Daniel Plitman leadership, who is a CEO of SwedMobil car dealer was created a group of employees, who worked in close cooperation with the German tuning company Heico Sportiv. This team decided to make the dream of Sergey Fedorinov, director of «Ulmart» come true. He proposed to upgrade his V40 CrossCountryT5 AWD (249 hp) not only to make it powerful and but also to make a reflection of the individuality of the owner.
Sergey Fedorinov: «The original idea was the following: I always wanted a car made just for me. I’m not fond of purchasing BMWX6, for example, or PorsheCayenneTurboS fully equipped — those cars are great, but they do not reflect my essence, my nature. The difference is like when you buy clothes at the shop or when you come to the tailor. »
«The portrait of a perfect car»: a small SUV, with all-wheel drive, with rather big clearance and with sufficient individuality, looking beautiful, bright and yet serious. An important aim was to link together the style, comfort, versatility, safety and power. The uniqueness of this car is not only in its exclusivity and appearance. It is very technological. And it is done for the reflection of the desired lifestyle.
So a «Night Fury», as it was called in SwedMobil, appeared. For the basis a Volvo V40 Cross Country was taken. The unique exterior was done using exclusive elements from two manufacturers: restrained aggression R-Design in the front of the car is combined with rich sound of the exhaust system decorated with HEICO SPORTIV diffuser. Side body parts were also changed. Standard textured decorative covers were replaced with similar elements from the V40 model and painted in the color of the rest car. With these elements of the car got more sporty look. Clearance remained at the 145 mm level — quite big for a sports car. Together with four-wheel drive such clearance allows you to go off-road if it is necessary, unlike other sports, or track cars. This car was done as multi-purpose one: to race on the track and to go to the country house or to have an off-road trip.
It should be mentioned that the exhaust system is equipped with two valves, which allow changing the volume, as well as bandwidth. With this function, it is always possible to select the appropriate mode to drive through the quiet streets, without excessive noise and not disturbing others, or another case if you want to impress with sound in the traffic. The muffler is designed and set up in such a way that at the maximum performance revs (6000–6500) the sound outside the car reminds jet fighter taking off from and inside the car there is a velvet bass. Real fans will switch off the radio in the car, just to enjoy the music of the engine. The switching button is built into a glass-holders niche, near the parking brake lever. Transmission is automatic, but the lever looks like a «mechanics» one. Heico Sportiv 19-inch Volution VII wheels and Michelin Pilot Super Sport in size 235/40R19 are finishing the picture.
Interior of the car is equipped with Recaro sports seats covered with black leather while almost all the functions available in the factory seats were kept — heating, side air bags, a seat belt holder. Thanks to the efforts of the SwedMobil, the management system remained at its usual place. For maximum convenience, factory seatbelts are used, however, if it is necessary, the car can be equipped with sport 4-point seatbelts — the design of the seat allows you to use them as well.
The result is a compromise between sport and civil style: sills with Heico Sportiv logos and blue illumination, sport metal pedal covers, and the left leg plate, are done like in a race car, and the remaining elements are kept in their places — ergonomics and safety first.
The back seat has not much free space due to the specific design of the front buckets, however, an adult can comfortably sit there, and children will have plenty of free space: the car is ideal for family trips. Sport seats decorated with black leather and embossed HEICO logo are quite comfortable even for long trips.
Volvo «Night Fury» was tested on the «Autodrome St. Petersburg» track by Alexander Lvov, known St. Petersburg circuit racer, participant and winner of national and world racing series. He noticed that he never thought that such Volvo can go so fast. Although, of course, it is impossible to compare it with Subaru Impreza WRX STI they have different ideology, but we compare it with nearest competitors the results are awesome. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h happens in 5.3 seconds. This is a very good result for reliable family wagon. The stock V40 Cross Country T5 will accelerate in 6.4 seconds.
Alexander Lvov: «There are a lot of powerful cars which are very difficult to drive quietly. And Volvo shows that it is possible and easy to drive around the city, and to show all its power on the track. The car is very well balanced: moderately stiff suspension works very well and the car is quite stable on the road, despite the fact that it's a wagon, and it is very responsive to the steering wheel. The track has not very flat asphalt but in sport mode the „Night Fury“ is comfortable enough. I believe that this Volvo is able to compete some BMW or Audi. We even conducted free practice at the circuit driving a similar car. We do not have a special test circuit for the stock cars to assess and compare them between each other like TopGear guys do».
The main technical improvements, giving such an outstanding dynamic are hidden under the hood from the public eye. All main units were upgraded: the turbocharger was replaced by a more powerful one and an air radiator (better known as the intercooler) was substituted by a bigger one made of aluminum. ECU was specially designed by HEICO SPORTIV engineers. In addition to achieve major power and torque, an important attention was paid to keep the engine life, for this purpose the engine was equipped with a direct methanol injection system. Thanks to the upgrade the power raised to 350 hp instead of stock 249 hp. These data is confirmed by DynaCom power stand.
The exterior attracts attention as well. Bright accents are made with vinyl styling, which gives the car a streamlined and smooth look without too much kitsch. Vinyl design was made in the «Ulmart» internal design bureau to reflect accurately the style and spirit of the company. Everything is well-thought: the lines along the body, around the mufflers, edging wheel arches — all this creates a closed loop of perception of the car, including the company logo. It is placed in front of the front wheel arches, and it is done as the original nameplate, which usually decorates exclusive concept cars. The vehicle is small and compact, with extraordinary dynamic characteristics, and it retained easy handling that fully embodies the expectations of the owner.
Sergey Fedorinov: «From the all components we got a beautiful and functional car, which I am pleased to drive and even if I get in a traffic jam, I'm very glad, because I spend with my car a little longer time. SWEDMOBIL team implemented my vision to this project, and made out of the ordinary V40 the car which attracts public attention. I’m asked regularly — it's a Volvo, and how could you made this of V40? This car is also a pride for SWEDMOBIL, they were able to create a car that has unique characteristics and impressive appearance. On basis of this project they are going to make similar cars maybe without such engine tuning, but external tuning will create the right impression. In fact, the aim of the concept car is to make concept-based standard items not such expensive. »
When the standard V40 stands near the «Black Fury», the first has the appearance of the modern compact family car, and the second cannot be associated with family trips at all. Changing the exterior of the car gives it greater energy and shifts it to younger customers, who appreciate individuality.
«Black Fury» with changed appearance can already be positioned as a standard car with the option in automotive market: stock V40 turns into a sports version. Without technical tuning, the cost for styling is not very high. And engine upgrades are not necessary as the power of the stock car is enough. Furthermore, stock car has lower maintenance cost — as you do not need to maintain reworked units. And the fuel consumption of the stock car is more friendly. «Night Fury» consumes about 18–19 liters of Super Plus petrol for 100 kilometers.
Sergey Fedorinov: «Everything we use, for example, a mobile phone, once was someone's dream. Someone's brainchild. And now it is used by millions. This is the creation: to realize his dream, and then to make a unique instance, and then make it available to everyone. And in this case, I want to see that I’m not the unique owner of such car, but anyone can get such Volvo at a reasonable price. The creation of this car is similar to the principle of „Ulmart“: we develop a concept within the company, and then it becomes a standard. For example, the opening of the cybermarket first was a huge project, with the whole company involved. And when you make 2-3-4 openings, it becomes a routine, and the company rises a step above. That's the philosophy. »
This truly exclusive car, only not only in St. Petersburg but in the world. Frankly speaking, it had a prototype, assembled directly in the Heico tuning shop, but the characteristics of this car are more versatile. Now that prototype is disassembled and the seats moved from the prototype to the «Night Fury».
The attempt to combine incongruous by SWEDMOBIL and «Ulmart» is successful. There are expensive and exclusive and powerful sports cars, and the example of «Night Fury» made by the alliance of companies shows us how it is possible to create such an affordable and comfortable car that combines all the necessary settings for your needs.
Sergey Fedorinov is sure that this project will make the impulse for the new trend in auto-tuning affordable for most car fans: «We will test such approach together with SwedMobil, in our line of automotive components, presented in the Ulmart online store, we will offer some ready-made solutions for car tuning. Thanks to this, car owners will be able to improve their cars at an authorized dealer service in accordance with their preferences, without garage service.»
In this way «Ulmart» increased its range of automotive component SKUs — the internet retailer announced the start of sales of spare and tuning parts and components. It is worth to say that the sets will have harmony. Even if the car remains stock under the hood and it is not mechanically modified, the exterior styling is already changing the perception of the car.
You can ask: if you put sells of such tuning parts on the flow, how the uniqueness of each car can be kept? The solution is very easy: if you create a simple matrix with several colors, sticking methods, types of bumpers, etc., you get a huge number of unique combinations. Someone can say that his car has satisfying exterior and ask to modify the engine only. And this will also emphasize the character of the owner.
Daniel Plitman, General Director of «SwedMobil», the Volvo official dealer: «This project is very important for us for many reasons. Firstly, we plan to develop Volvo tuning projects. During this project, our specialists got valuable experience, and as the result there was a unique car Volvo, which has no analogues. Secondly, one of the main aims set to SwedMobil is to find and implement the most advanced technologies and solutions to be the first in the automotive market, both in terms of business processes organization and customer service quality. We are inspired by the „Ulmart, company which is a leader in implementation of innovations in retail. We are glad to have such cooperation and we are looking forward to continue it. “
The current «Night Fury» — is the first step. Second version is in progress: brakes and engine will be improved. The results will be presented to the public in the end of the autumn 2014. As the inspirer of the project said, they are creating a wild beast, which must be adapted to the city traffic — and it's a long story, but they are going to finish it soon.
