THOSE eager to get their hands on a new compact load-lugging estate with more than its fair share of comfort, as well as providing an enjoyable ride and drive experience, can leg it to a Volvo dealership now and put down a deposit on the new V50 estate.

It follows hot on the heels of the saloon. Volvo dealers are now taking orders for the estate version, with deliveries expected to start towards the end of the month or early April.

The V50 (that is V for Versatility, incidentally) is smaller than the V70, but still provides much in the way of cabin and boot room, and at its European launch in Spain, Volvo's marketing gurus emphasised its softer, sportier shape compared with the V70.

On-the-road prices start at £17,363 for the 1.8-litre 125bhp petrol with the S specification, rising to £25,963 for the superfast all-wheel drive T5, kitted out with the SE specification.

The most distinctive and revolutionary feature is its compact dashboard with a unique super-thin centre stack (apparently inspired by the latest hi-fi systems and remote control units).

On the SE models it is finished in either a transparent cover so that, if you peer hard and long enough, some of its working parts can be seen, or it comes in a smart wood or aluminium: it is available as an optional choice and can be fitted rather like the mobile phone covers you can pick up, although not as garish.

Design lines show a car that is instantly recognisable as today's Volvo, a rounded front profile, V-shaped bonnet with swooping lines back to its robust-looking tailgate. Taller and wider than the V40 it replaces, the design has been chosen to appeal to younger drivers, a move to get away from the fuddy duddy approach adopted in earlier designs. "We want the under-55s to go for this model," say Volvo's marketing bosses.

The compact estate market is growing, with overall sales rising from about 24,000 three years ago to today's 34,000. This latest Volvo will in the main be up against Audi's A4 Avant and BMW's 3-Series Touring, and although it is difficult to see owners of these swapping to the Volvo, others thinking of upgrading should be tempted by its load-carrying ability, good specification and, of course, in this day and age, its high levels of environmental care and safety.

United Kingdom owners going for the S-specification can expect electronic climate control, dynamic stability control, 16in alloy wheels, powered front and back windows, electric and heated door mirrors, height and reach adjustable steering, anti-lock brakes, remote door locks and roof rails. Moving up to the SE models, which will cost about £2,250 more, these come with leather upholstery, centre stack inlays (including the transparent one), steering wheel audio controls for the six-CD player with its eight speakers, automatic dimming rear view mirror, rain sensor, cruise control, 17in alloy wheels, front fog lamps, fuel computer and body-coloured side mouldings.

The active safety measures include inflatable curtain, front bags and the active head restraints. That they work efficiently was demonstrated at the press launch when one of the cars rounding a steep hill-side bend, skidded, bounced off the hill-side rocks and then side-swiped a lorry. The curtain airbag operated instantly, and both driver and passenger stepped out unscathed. The car looked the worst for wear, as it should have done because its energy-absorbing bodywork, with several crumple zones made up of different strength steels, took the impact rather than the occupants.

Nonetheless, the V50 has a stable, large car feel, with great handling due to its longer wheelbase, wider track, and much stiffer body shell than the V40. There is also the electro-hydraulic steering which provides instant feedback.

The engine range is also designed to meet most needs, with two petrol units available from kick-off, including a 2.4-litre injection 170bhp/230Nm matched to either manual or automatic gearbox, and the T5's 220bhp/320Nm with the choice of either a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic. There will be just one diesel from launch, a 2.0-litre 136bhp/320Nm with six-speed gearbox.

Although meeting all the European requirements necessary for engine and exhaust emission quality, Volvo says it will improve on these for the cars going on sale towards the end of the year.

Late arrivals, that is cars due in May for a June sale, will see two more engines, including a 1.8-litre 125bhp/160NM five-speed petrol unit with either a manual shift or clutchless-type manual/automatic, and an all-wheel drive version of the flagship T5.

Using Volvo's own figures, the 2.0-litre diesel returns 37.2mpg about town and 61.4mpg on the open road, leading to a combined figure of 49.6mpg. The 0-62mph figure is 9.6-seconds. The T5 completes the 0-62mph dash in 6.9-seconds using the manual gear, and in 7.3-seconds with the automatic system.

Fuel consumption is 32.1mpg combined for the manual, and 29.7mpg using automatic.

With its split folding back seats, the Sportswagon is able to provide 417 litres of space rising to 1,307 litres, and has a load length of 1766mm with the rear seats folded down. Even the front passenger seat can be folded completely flat for any extra long loads.

The V50 is the first Volvo that gets keyless drive, that is there is a special device that can be carried in the driver's pocket or handbag, to unlock doors and arm the starting button. It is also useful as a panic alarm or can be used to turn on the car's headlights as a security measure.

There is another safety feature introduced by Volvo called IDIS, standing for Intelligent Driver Information System.

It is able to monitor the driver's level of activity, such as when maximum concentration is needed, and can automatically delay any incoming distractions such as incoming telephone calls.

Then there is the Clean Inside And Out programme, which means that all the textiles and leathers are hypo-allergenic and free of emissions from hazardous substances, together with IAQS (or Interior Air Quality System), which keeps the incoming air clean of pollens and nasties that can lead to such things as eye irritations or even asthma.

The new Sportswagon will be built alongside the S60 and S40 in Belgium and, of the 74,000 a year production, 8,000 are expected to be sold here with 60 per cent of them powered by a diesel engine.

Updated: 08:46 Friday, March 05, 2004