Dour, this ain’t.
, as debuted at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, has a style that is unmistakably Volvo yet with a razor sharp edge. When it hits the streets in 2008, the C30 will surely be safe, and it will probably be dependable, based on recent new vehicles introduced by Ford’s Premier Automotive Group’s (PAG) shining star. It will surely, hopefully, desperately, be fun, given that it’s based on platform that brought such stars as the Mazda3, European
. This one’s a keeper and we look forward to seeing – and driving – the production model as soon as our Swedish friends ship it across the Pond.
Why it MattersVolvo has been reflecting a little bit of Swedish sunshine on the otherwise cloudy environs of Dearborn for a while now, and the 2008 Volvo C30 looks to be another ray of light in an otherwise rainy PAG day. Let’s see…a sporty, sexy, hatchback, built by the Sultans of Safety on a proven platform? There’s only one reason the C30 matters to the suits, and you spell it S-A-L-E-S. Now if Ford could only figure out how to get a blue oval on the thing…for drivers, the C30 promises to be a stylish, convenient, safe and sporty near-luxury hatchback for anyone smart enough to see the value of that. Line starts here, fellas!
What's Under the HoodFor US buyers, the Volvo C30 will be powered by an inline 2.5-liter, five-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 218 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 236 lb. ft. of torque between 1,500-4,800 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. At an overall length of 167.4 inches, the Volvo C30 is 8.5 inches shorter than the S40 sedan.
What's InsideInterior features of the Volvo C30 include rear bucket seats, what looks to be ample legroom and a configurable cargo area. According to Volvo, the C30 is designed for people who usually use the front seats only, so convenience is based on making things easy to put and easy to get. Back seats fold flat in order to open up more cargo room. Comfort will be handled by a dual-zone climate control, and safety will be much the same as what people will find in the Volvo S40: front/side airbags, traction control systems, and the like. The C30 will be equipped with Volvo’s Blind Spot Information (BLIS) system, which identifies hidden vehicles at the rear of the C30. Audio includes a 160-watt stereo system or the Premium Sound System with 10 speakers and 650 watts.
What We ThinkFor those of you who still think of Volvo as a maker of dour, safe and dependable luxury vehicles, climb out from under the rock you’ve been living and take a look at the exciting
new Volvo C30. Built on a proven platform, equipped with a strong powertrain and wrapped in a modern, sporty style, you just may forget that the C30 is sold by that old safe and boring Swedish automaker.
Photos courtesy of Volvo Cars of North America
