Volvo has given its C30 coupe/hatchback/shooting brake a mid-life spruce-up. Volvo's Audi A3 rival has had a nose job, to bring it into line design-wise with both the XC60 SUV and the
recently facelifted C70
Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars, says: "The front of the Volvo C30 has become more dramatic and expressive. The angled lines of the front bumper together with the new headlamps, which are drawn offset and up, reinforce the impression of speed and sportiness."
We say: "It looks a bit like it's melted."
It's not just a cosmetic upgrade, however. In response, presumably, to criticism that the C30's handling is a bit leaden, Volvo has come up with a Sports chassis options pack. Volvo says that this gives the C30 a "significantly sharper ride" thanks to stiffer anti-roll bars, dampers and 30 per cent stiffer springs. The steering bushes have been stiffened up, and the steering ratio is lower.
The Sports chassis is available as an option on all C30s except the eco-friendly 1.6D DRIVe - but you wouldn't want that one anyway, would you?
The new C30 goes into production in November, and should be on sale early in 2010.