Friday 29th September 2006

Volvo C30

Swedes dabble in Golf-sized motoring

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Volvo may no longer be the preserve of antique dealers and policemen.

The company is venturing back into the smaller car segment with a Golf rival in the shape of its new C30.

The 'Sportscoupe' (come on Volvo, it's a hatchback) makes its debut in Paris today at the Paris Motor Show.

Five models are being displayed at the show, including the SE Sport with 18 inch alloys and a full two tone body kit.

It's due to arrive in UK showrooms by the end of the year, but is available to order now in S, SE, SE Sport and SE Lux trim levels, with on the road prices, announced yesterday, starting from £14,750.

The range will start with the 1.6 S at £14,750. There are two other petrol engines (2.4-litre, 170bhp) and T5 (2.5-litre, 220bhp) and three diesels (1.6, 109bhp; 2.0, 136 bhp; and 2.5, 180bhp).

 

[ScottBN3]

Is it just me or is it a touch on the pricey side....

[richb]

Audi A3 1.6 is £15k or thereabouts according to Parkers Guide, so no, it's pitched about right.

[ScottBN3]

OK - wonder what residuals will be like compared to A3, Golf etc

[Ashok]

Is there a five door version?

[tony*t3]

Hmmm, kinda nice looking, if you really really have to choose a volvo.....

Audi were going to be doing something similar with the TT - is it still on the cards...?

[GTRene]

Well, its going the right way now...for a Volvo it looks ok...maybe they gona make some (old classic)modern sporty Volvo's again...saint car?
GTRene

[wab172uk]

Needs more power than 220bhp if it's going to take sales away from the opposition.

[Rednut05]

I thought it looked nice till I saw the back end. Maybe its one of those 'have to see in the flesh' cars but not keen from the photo.

[GTRene]

Rednut05 said:

I thought it looked nice till I saw the back end. Maybe its one of those 'have to see in the flesh' cars but not keen from the photo.

hm..now you mentioned it, it looks like they forgot to put a door in first time I thought the rear was open indeed a bit wierd on the picture..
GTRene

[richb]

Rednut05 said:

I thought it looked nice till I saw the back end. Maybe its one of those 'have to see in the flesh' cars but not keen from the photo.

The design picks up on the classic Volvo P800ES of the 70's. It's something that many manufactureres seem to be doing these days. I quite like it myself.

[space_cowboy]

looks nice at the front but the back looks oh so wrong.

[jas16]

i agree with many of you, the front looks gd, but the back...

anyway, i think its pricy considering its depreciation relative to Audi's. and also, the pic is of the top spec model which is why it looks half decent, i cant think that the lesser models will look as gd, only time will tell

[rusty spanner]

saw it at british show looks good to me i want one

[errek72]

About time they're in the hatch market, took 'em long enough.
It might be aimed at the A3 and BMW1, but it's still an Escort with another body.
Would have made more sense if the price would be *between* the Escort and that A3.
I wonder how long it will take before they're going to slash the prices like VW had to when they found out nobody wanted to pay A3 money for the Golf.

[VTECMatt]

Isnt this a Ford Focus ST with a Volvo badge? Same engine, does it share the same platform?

[CatherineJ]

When I was in Volvo in Swindon a few weeks ago they had proper photographs for you to take away, I think it looks really good and more importantly "different" especially from the back.

I don't believe their is a 5 door and the car is "only" a 4 seater.

[levensnevel]

Seems the C30 will be stricktly a 3 door hatchback.
Although I have owned and driven a 480 during some 5 years with great pleasure this C30 is not my cup of tea.
I frankly do not understand why Volvo / Ford doesn't rebadge Mazda's RX8 and replace the rotary engine with the T5 engine. That would be something

[Mannginger]

VTECMatt said:

Isnt this a Ford Focus ST with a Volvo badge? Same engine, does it share the same platform?

I'd be shocked if it didn't...

Phil

[Waveboy14]

At first, I also had my doubts, but his car really grows on you. I also love the drive (driven a T5). Think many people will love it, though it indeed is a 3 door version only (we're not working an 5 door version).

[GTRene]

some other nice Volvo P1800 1967

GTRene