Volvo C30 Review

Neunelf
by Neunelf

The last time a Volvo was sexy, so was (Sir) Roger Moore. Just as The Saint titillated the fairer sex, Simon Templar’s Volvo P1800 had heel-and-toe types salivating. Shortly thereafter Moore was persuaded to abandon his Swedish whip for an Aston. By the time the English actor got into Bond-age, Volvo had turned deeply dull. Sexy was scrapped, safety celebrated. Stylistically, Gothenburg’s designs adhered to a Ty Webbian template: “Be the box. Be the box.” While Volvos slowly evolved away from the rectangular gestalt, they never quite shucked middle-aged mindfulness. The new C30 aims to change all that.

Available in Canada since the second quarter, hitting U.S. soil in October, Volvo’s “hot hatch” (yes really) is looking to cash in on the aging, fast and slightly miffed yet financially comfortable ex-tuner crowd. Alternatively, the C30’s yet another starting point for badge snobs looking for that first rung on the European luxury ladder. To entice both groups, the Swedish sampling’s got style.

Faced head on, the short overhangs and snubbed prow could easily belong to any Volvo. Correct! From the grill to the windshield, the C30’s built on the same architecture as the S40 and V50. Follow the reverse-doorstop roofline to mid ships, and there’s funk in that trunk. The taillights hug the C’s C-pillars in all three dimensions, accenting the hatch’s rear haunches in the best-yet interpretation of the corporate countenance.

The C30’s “P” inspired trapezoidal hatch-glass is pistonhead catnip. Leave home without the optional cargo cover though, and Bloomies’ Big Brown Bag will have a similar effect on the smash-and-grab crowd.

Just don’t order a C30 in “passion red.” With fenders found wanting of paint, my base T5 tester was more “Swedish berry” than Halle Berry. Anyone who doesn’t spend the extra Krona and check the Metallic Paint box on the order sheet might as well get a bumper sticker saying “Cheap Djävel on Board.” While you’re at it, sign-up for the dual tone body kit and 17” Zaurak rims. When you see a C30 thus kitted in Titanium Grey metallic with Java metallic trim, it’s time to call a Vet; this puppy looks sick.

Inside, it seems the Swedish vegetarians have turned their gaze to the automobile industry. Not to worry; Volvo’s T-Tec seating surfaces is an ideal alternative, guaranteed to keep Norse grasslands groomed. The infamous waterfall dash is cheap chic personified, while the switchgear’s tactility will keep even non-OCD sufferers busy for hours. A handy 12-volt adapter decorates the centre-stack, but a lack of defined cup holders hinders Scandinavian satiation.

Volvo’s trick dangling DIN radio unit is wannabe Bang & Olufsen done right. The standard audio package’s sonic performance is adequate, but in a world of LCD I.C.E., the O.G. (original Gameboy) graphics are ghastly. Thankfully, the C30’s supportive seats and thick-rimmed helm restore a large measure of street cred.

The packaging is a bit compromised. Upright, the rear seats are spacious enough for two high-heeled Swedish bikini team members, but leave just enough luggage space for their official uniforms and a couple of thirsty towels. Fold the 55/45 rears and that “Ramvik” coffee table and “Roskilde” rug your living room has been lacking are yours for the taking.

Volvo’s force-fed five-banger is in da' house. A mini mill cranking-out 218hp may be nothing special in this category, but 236ft.-lbs. of torque from basement to penthouse is. Put the pedal to the metal (how Volvo is that?) and 20 continuously variable valves chatter away, flinging the C30 to sixty in less than seven seconds. In-gear satisfaction is only a foot flex away.

Unfortunately, the cog swapping part of the program lacks a suitable dénouement. In traffic, the C30’s clutch play is smooth and predictable. Light a fire under the hot hatch, give it the beans, and stick travel… stops… time. Even worse, ultimate engagement is decidedly spongy.

The suspension isn't. MacPhersons up front and a multilink in back keeps city schlepping as placid as Aquavit on ice, while anti-roll bars and rigid body construction ensure all that torque isn’t squandered. Hang on to the helm and anything over 7/10’s is as safe as houses. Corners are controlled and understeer doled out in sensible quantities. The Sport Package tightens things up considerably. But make no mistake: even in standard trim, the Euro Focus’ C1 platform is put to good use. The Stig may not be cocking a rear wheel through Gambon, but Volvo security hasn’t watered down the Ford family fun.

Volvo is hoping to flog 20k C30’s stateside, 65k globally. The Swedish two-door is pitted against BMW’s U.S.-bound 1-Series, Audi’s A3/S3, a new WRX, Vee Dub’s GTi and the benchmark MINI. That’s tough company; it would be a daunting prospect if the C30 didn’t look so damn cool. But it does. And it is. Mission accomplished.

Neunelf
Neunelf

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  • Stephan Wilkinson Stephan Wilkinson on Oct 02, 2007

    Unless you have a severe winter situation--long, steep driveway plus snow--AWD is highly overrated. I admit that I wouldn't be without it, but only because we live near the top of a small mountain in the snowbelt and do have one of those long, steep driveways (got a Volvo V50 T5 AWD for the worst days, but our Boxster on snow tires does just fine any other wintertime unless it's blizzarding). AWd is pointless has a performance-enhancer unless you're a rally-class driver and the road is empty enough that you can corner in the wet under power, since AWD is only effective under positive torque, it does nothing for you otherwise but add weight and drag and subtract fuel. I suspect a C30 with dedicated snowtires would do just fine 98 percent of the time.

  • Kurumaking Kurumaking on Oct 03, 2007

    Yes you are right Stephan about AWD being overrated in general. However for me,under certain situations,as I live and work in NH,it is going to make the difference between making it home or having have to spend the night in some motel(which has happened with driving front wheel drive car with snow tires).

  • KOKing Unless you're an employee (or even if you are) does anyone care where physically any company is headquartered? Until I saw this story pop up, I'd forgotten that GM used to be in the 'Cadillac Building' until whenever it was they moved into RenCen (and that RenCen wasn't even built for GM). It's not like GM moved to Bermuda or something for a tax shelter (and I dunno maybe they ARE incorporated there legally?)
  • Fred It just makes me question GM's management. Do they save rent money? What about the cost of the move? Don't forget they have to change addresses on their forms. New phone numbers? Lost hours?
  • SilverHawk It's amazing how the domestic manufacturers have made themselves irrelevant in the minds of American consumers. Someday, they'll teach this level of brand disassociation in marketing classes as an example of what "not to do". Our auto interests once revolved around these brands. Now, nobody cares, and nobody should care. Where did I put the keys to my Studebaker?
  • El scotto Will it get GM one mile closer to the Gates of Hades? This is a company that told their life long employees not to sell their stock until the day of bankruptcy.
  • 28-Cars-Later I'm curious, is the Maverick in "EV mode" when its towing?"There's still car-like handling -- no punishment because you're driving a truck." That's because its not a truck, its akin to the earlier Ranchero - a literal car-truck hybrid now with an available gasoline hybrid drivetrain (that's actually hilarious and awesome, hybrid-hybrid FTW).
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