RE: Volvo C30 Polestar and V40R
Discussion
But Ford dont own Volvo anymore, I thought it was Geely. The Jaguar's would have made a profit if Ford still had them I believe. the problem with the Jags imo was th styling. From the time they came out with the XF/XJ etc, with modern styling instead of retro, it started selling. PS Golf GTI are also chav, go take a look in the so called chav areas of the country and you would find more chavs in a GTI or Audi A3 than a Focus ST
AlexKing said:
Ta.
To elaborate, I would still buy this over and above any other FWD hatch; all the rest are too chav (Focus ST) or too bland and predictable (Golf GTI). But I don't have to buy a FWD hatch, so I won't!
Volvo are so perilously close to making some cars that would top my shortlist in future, but Ford need to wake up to the progress and profitability that has come to Jaguar since it was freed from their shackles, and let the crazy Swedes do what they clearly want to. I just hope these cars act as a bridgehead to that happier future.
To elaborate, I would still buy this over and above any other FWD hatch; all the rest are too chav (Focus ST) or too bland and predictable (Golf GTI). But I don't have to buy a FWD hatch, so I won't!
Volvo are so perilously close to making some cars that would top my shortlist in future, but Ford need to wake up to the progress and profitability that has come to Jaguar since it was freed from their shackles, and let the crazy Swedes do what they clearly want to. I just hope these cars act as a bridgehead to that happier future.
I don't really understand Pistonheads these days - whenever a new Volvo story comes out the posters are either unamimous in their praise for the company, or (like this thread) full of those rubbishing everything the company is trying to do to keep up with the market.
For me, the R-Design styling tweaks are some of the most effective around - turning what are otherwise quite safe-looking designs into something with a bit more edge to them. The C30 and XC60 are two good examples. So what Volvo are trying to do here is no different to Audi or BMW in launching their respective S-Line and MSport trim levels.
And for those comparing these offerings with the FWD T5 estates of the 90s, you can order an S60 /V60 T6 with 300hp and 4wd. For me, that is pretty much on the same evolutionary path as the old 850s and V70Rs - practical, not the last word in driver feedback or chassis balance but with a well-designed cabin, solid build quality and huge straight line grunt.
5 years ago I would never have considered a new Volvo. Now I would - for me, their design and marketing teams are doing something right. A C30 T5 is a great alternative to a Golf GTI or Audi S3.
For me, the R-Design styling tweaks are some of the most effective around - turning what are otherwise quite safe-looking designs into something with a bit more edge to them. The C30 and XC60 are two good examples. So what Volvo are trying to do here is no different to Audi or BMW in launching their respective S-Line and MSport trim levels.
And for those comparing these offerings with the FWD T5 estates of the 90s, you can order an S60 /V60 T6 with 300hp and 4wd. For me, that is pretty much on the same evolutionary path as the old 850s and V70Rs - practical, not the last word in driver feedback or chassis balance but with a well-designed cabin, solid build quality and huge straight line grunt.
5 years ago I would never have considered a new Volvo. Now I would - for me, their design and marketing teams are doing something right. A C30 T5 is a great alternative to a Golf GTI or Audi S3.
arcticnick said:
I don't really understand Pistonheads these days - whenever a new Volvo story comes out the posters are either unamimous in their praise for the company, or (like this thread) full of those rubbishing everything the company is trying to do to keep up with the market.
Its got the wrong badge, and unfortunately regardless of what the company does or how good the cars are that will never be enough for some people who 'must' have a piece of germany on the driveway.
Maldini35 said:
nosuchuser said:
Yeah baby....
Now that is a cool car
@ArcticNick, I'm not rubbishing R-Design, that's all well and good for the company car market (and if it keeps them in business that's great) but for a private buyer there should be the full fat R version as well. Or a full fat Polestar.
So I can buy it at a much reduced price somewhere down the depreciation curve with an acceptable price/bork ratio....
Stedman said:
You're doing it wrong!
Sorry, i'm such a photow
e
I got offered a saffron R when my black one got killed... Wife wouldn't let me get it due to the colour
It's called gay gold for a reason she said...
nosuchuser said:
Yeah, graphite wheels are tasty.. I was about to get the pegs on my R refurbed in graphite when this happened:
I got offered a saffron R when my black one got killed... Wife wouldn't let me get it due to the colour
It's called gay gold for a reason she said...
Thanks - but those wheels are actually silver I got offered a saffron R when my black one got killed... Wife wouldn't let me get it due to the colour
It's called gay gold for a reason she said...
Haha brilliant. Slap her for me...
arcticnick said:
...the posters are either unamimous in their praise for the company, or (like this thread) full of those rubbishing everything the company is trying to do
...5 years ago I would never have considered a new Volvo. Now I would...
I'm not sure if the this thread is as negative as you suggest ( check this one out!). I just think a lot of people had high expectations of these two models, and neither really delivered....5 years ago I would never have considered a new Volvo. Now I would...
As I mentioned in my previous post, performance-wise the V40 T5 R-Design would make a great alternative to a GTi or Focus ST (and the outgoing S3), but it's priced the same as the M135i and the incoming S3, but can't match either of these cars. Which is a shame.
Don't get me wrong I would consider a new Volvo for my next purchase, instead of the M135i (...I could never own a VAG), but I was really hoping for a proper V40R. As it stands, it lacks in outright performance and handling, and lacks a sense of "special-ness", and of course...
Oddball RS said:
...everyone bleating on about the 135...hasn't anyone seen just how plain ugly it is??
...whilst I appreciate the M135i's looks divide opinion (I like it, you don't, that's fine), there's no denying that the BMW looks like a high-performance vehicle. The Volvo just looks too pedestrian, even with the bodykit.Don't get me wrong, I really want Volvo to succeed, and the are trying really hard to shake their dowdy image. But they need to have the balls to produce a serious performance-oriented, but still intrisically Scandinavian, halo car that'll put the brand back on the map.
Escort Si-130 said:
But Ford dont own Volvo anymore, I thought it was Geely. The Jaguar's would have made a profit if Ford still had them I believe. the problem with the Jags imo was th styling. From the time they came out with the XF/XJ etc, with modern styling instead of retro, it started selling. PS Golf GTI are also chav, go take a look in the so called chav areas of the country and you would find more chavs in a GTI or Audi A3 than a Focus ST
Eeeh, I really can't keep up with who owns what anymore. Put my previous comment in the past tense if you will, or change Ford to Geely - the same still applies. Styling was certainly part of it, but the reason why the styling was a part of it is the inherent conservatism of Ford as a company - they like to stick with what they "know" works. You may well be right about who actually drives GTIs and A3s - wait long enough and any aspirational car becomes the territory of the undesirables. The Focus RS and ST are pre-chavved though - no restraint, grace or style; just endless, overblown addenda. Exactly. Polestar (a ridiculous name) or not, there is just no compelling reason to prefer this car over a BMW. I do like the unusual styling, but neither the 1-series or this one is actually attractive and the Beemer is a more solid and more enjoyable drive. Volvo has lost their way. No longer classically shaped, they are yet another maker of Honda Accord-shaped 4-door sedans, with no extraordinary value to differentiate them. Unless really comfortable front seats is a key decision criteria for you. Safety is now a 'wash' for cars in their respective class, pricing is not compelling, and well, nothing else.
robinoz said:
The fact there are actually 250 people with REAL money to spend 50 Grand on a decent 400hp AWD beast and then to do this for the Americans no less is a fvcking joke Volvo!!!
Oddball RS said:
One of the problems is the five pot Volvo's are pretty nose heavy, even the uprated suspension isn't enough, they murder front tires and really don't drive quickly that well.
However it's o'k everyone bleating on about the 135, it is far from perfect, hasn't anyone seen just how plain ugly it is??
I really do not think so. The Polestar C30 was lapping several racetracks several seconds faster than all manner of Evo's and Impreza's, let alone Megane's. Its more about engineering than bits of weight. bHowever it's o'k everyone bleating on about the 135, it is far from perfect, hasn't anyone seen just how plain ugly it is??
Verde said:
there is just no compelling reason to prefer this car over a BMW. I do like the unusual styling, but neither the 1-series or this one is actually attractive and the Beemer is a more solid and more enjoyable drive. Volvo has lost their way. No longer classically shaped, they are yet another maker of Honda Accord-shaped 4-door sedans, with no extraordinary value to differentiate them.
I think many people think it's BMW who have lost their way with extraordinarily ugly cars in their main range and the MINI range. I wouldn't be surprised at peole looking to alternatives though suspect Mercedes may be the more likely benefactor.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff