Well, if it fits in a 55 gallon drum, it fits in the V50.

But to answer your question:
- The opening width of the hatch is about 39 inches.
- The width between the wheel wells is about 38 inches.
- The widest point of the cargo area is the area that is behind wheel wells but forward of the hatch opening. That area is 48 inches wide.
- *Maybe 48.5" if you angle it a little bit.

A hard shell case at the size you describe would be a fitment issue, I think. Either a seats-down operation or get creative somehow. Like fashioning a nifty shelf so it rides above the strut tops. Basically at window level, behind the headrests.

EDIT: I just went out to measure diagonally and every-which-way to make sure. 48-ish seems to be the limit. I did measure for the "behind the headrests" location (on top of the shock towers). It is at least 52" between the window glass basically above the entire cargo area. So it would certainly fit there. It would just require some kind of shelf system to support it, probably some straps to keep it in place and some cushions on the end against the glass. I'd think it would even be pretty easy to load based on the extra width provided by the windows. Certainly not as ideal for the task as a larger model though, I'm afraid.

 

Well, if it fits in a 55 gallon drum, it fits in the V50.

But to answer your question:

- The widest point of the cargo area is the area that is behind wheel wells but forward of the hatch opening. That area is 48 inches wide.
- *Maybe 48.5" if you angle it a little bit.

EDIT: I just went out to measure diagonally and every-which-way to make sure. 48-ish seems to be the limit. I did measure for the "behind the headrests" location (on top of the shock towers). It is at least 52" between the window glass basically above the entire cargo area.

Thank you! Looks like I've got an excuse to buy a Steinberger, then! J/K, if I'm doing the back seat flop, I could go C30 rather than S40. Amazingly, my case will fit in the trunk of the C70 with the top up.

55 gallon drum, eh? Once again, a Volvo wagon is just a half ton truck in disguise.