Tuesday 4th June 2013

Volvo C30 - RIP

So farewell to the Volvo C30 - here are some reasons we might actually miss it

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At the back of some Volvo dealerships, amongst the odd XC90 and S80, a few C30s still remain. In fact, Volvo is keen to celebrate its quirky hatch as production ends and we are too, not just because of the Polestar concept...

Polestar teased but, sadly, never delivered

Actually, there's more to the C30 than RS3-crushing, 405hp 4WD concepts. The origins of the C30 lie in 2001 Safety Concept Car; some of its technology is only now appearing in production cars, including forward collision and blind spot warnings as well as a driver alert system.

The production C30 arrived at the Paris show in 2006, based on the Mk2 Ford Focus. The Ford underpinnings meant the T5 flagship took the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo with 220hp from the Focus ST, albeit with a more sedate attitude. An early T5 can now be had for £6,500, whilst this modified 388hp C30 looks interesting (it will be sold without the audio 'enhancements', thankfully).

Keen to strengthen the appeal of the C30 with younger buyers, Volvo collaborated with three tuners to create a trio of concepts for the SEMA show. The Evolve car featured 507hp, 14-pot brake calipers and 13-inch wide rear tyres, an ipd version came with gullwing doors and the Heico C30 was designed for those who enjoy hurtling down snowy mountains on planks. Radical indeed.

Focus ST-derived T5 could be a bit of a sleeper

Volvo claims 210,000 C30s have been made since 2006, with one in seven models sold in Britain. Predictably, it's the diesels that have done well here, but PH's interest in the C30 was really sparked in 2010 with the arrival of the Polestarconcept. The Swedish touring car outfit transformed the C30 T5 with a new KKK turbo, bigger intercooler, more aggressive cams and an ECU remap contributing to 405hp and 376lb ft. Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes gave the dynamics some real bite and rumours soon surfaced about a roadgoing C30 superhatch. All that was ever offered in the UK was a light ECU remap with an extra 30hp. Boo.

To mark the passing of the C30, Volvo is giving away a Polestar C30 T5 R-Design. Starting next Thursday (June 13), the car will leave Gothenburg headed for Britain, due to arrive on Saturday June 15. But it will only arrive if enough Tweets are posted about it. Yep, Volvo says the hashtag #LastEverC30 must be used by those wanting to enter the competition and bring the C30 to Britain. There will be further clues on www.LastEverC30.co.uk to find the car on Saturday. Well, saves money on stamps for a postcard entry at least...

So that was the Volvo C30, gone and not to be replaced. The V40 is Volvo's latest hatch but there won't be a three-door as few are being sold. Volvo, nobody will complain if you allow a full-fat Polestar to make its way to Britain. Please?

 

 

 

[jay140285]

Never really looked at these but the T5 could be an interesting alternative to the usual contenders at the price they are down to.

[HorneyMX5]

Probably one of the best looking hatches of the last decade. Sad to see yet another maker ditching the 3 door hatch as well.

[hedges88]

I hope they are replacing it with something as the small car segment is very popular, especially at the moment with the premium small cars. One of these would be preferable for me over a Focus ST because of the more mature image

[ewenm]

I really liked our C30 even with the 2.0d. If we end up needing a second sensible car then a C30 T5 is on the list.

[User33678888]

I've likes the look of these since day one. Along with the C70, I think they looked a lot better pre facelift. Just a shame a properly pokey version of either hasn't been produced. The C70 has all the makings of a decent cruiser, just needs the T6 engine.

[31mph]

Aww, I didn't know they'd dropped it .

I liked that car.

[Wizardskills]

I really liked my C30. Mine had the 2.0D engine in it and it was very nice as my everyday commuter. Shame to see it dropped

[dandare]

A pity that is the end. I always thought the C30 was the best/most interesting looking car in that class.

Probably too interesting for the man at C&A.

[anonymous-user]

Big fan of the C30, quite fancy a T5.

[Si_man306]

My ex-20 years of fiesta owning parents thought this was too dull.

I think that says it all really!

[EDLT]

I drove one once, it was meh. The boot opening is tiny too.

[DISASTRA 5 0]

Nearly bought a t5 two weeks ago!

Think that was Volvo's problem!

[loudlashadjuster]

Social media campaign to bring an old, nondescript car to the UK? Criteria being tweets counted by contrived hashtag?

Oh dear. And I say that as a confirmed Twitter user.

[Sam1990]

I would have thought it would be fairly easy to coax a reasonable amount of extra power out of the T5 seeing as that engine is happy to produce 250bhp+ in other platforms?

[m1nky]

Sorry to read this. I own a facelift D5 version. Unconventional looks, economical, comfortable and with a few tweaks makes rapid progress. A great car that many have overlooked IMO.

[Ozzie Osmond]

I liked the car but three negatives,

• Cramped for clutch foot in RHD.
• Luggage cover, or lack of.
• Insurance - very high premium for young driver simply ruled it out.

[Youjutsusha]

2.5 turbo from the ST? Don't you mean Volvo's own 2.5 liter 5 cylinder turbo they've been manufacturing for ages. I think that is a huge mistake to make considering Volvo have had T5s for years and years and years and the similarity between the Focus version and the Volvo version stops when the intake and exhaust are fitted and the two companies produce different calibrations. This is entirely noticeable when you look at the fuel consumption.

[Ian974]

Won't be entering that competition then. Like the C30, but won't be signing up to twitter just for this.

[Youjutsusha]

Also.

Those Polestar bds a 400hp AWD C30 would have been absolutely epic.

[722Adam]

I really like these, although pre-facelift ones do look better IMO, same with the C70. A T5 would be quite fun, real shame they're dropping them.