Volvo will launch a sportier version of its all-new V40 at the Paris Motor Show.

The V40 R-Design was made to appeal to the younger market and to lower the average age of the typical Volvo driver. With this in mind, Volvo sharpened up the design, made the car more driver-centric and upped the horsepower.

The R-Design's front features a silk-metal framed high-gloss grille with a re-profiled front bumper and day-time running lights. The sporty stance is further enhanced with an ironstone rear diffuser, silk-metal finished details and twin exhaust tailpipes.

The five-spoke diamond-cut wheels (standard with 17" or can be upgraded to 18") complete the sporty look. The interior also gains from features such as the embossed R-Design leather/T-Tec upholstery, TFT instrument display, sports steering wheel, sports pedals and unique aluminium inlays.

Adding to the sporty feel, the R-Design Sport has a lowered chasis that was developed in conjunction with Swedish racing driver Robert Dahlgren in the Volvo Polestar Black R team.

In South Africa, the all-new Volvo V40 R-Design will be available with two engine derivatives: The V40 D3 Geartronic (110kW/350Nm) or the high-performance T5 petrol turbo with 187kW and 350Nm.

The V40 will be available locally from November while the R-Design will only go on sale in February 2013.