On the other hand, the C30 and V30 have absolutely nothing to do with the classic 1800ES, although you can see how Volvo keeps trying to work 1800ES styling cues into the design. The old Volvo 480 was really the only predessesor to the C30.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_P1800

so this is an all new config for volvo.

While I’m whining–what is the deal with sale cannibalization? Why don’t they just price options at a certain profit point. Make it so AWD always adds $500 profit whether it’s a C30, S40, or V50. Same with Mazda and their “we don’t want a hatchback competing with our speed6″ you-can’t-have-AWD-because-we-said-so biz.

Volvo considers a 5-door C30
Mark Rechtin
Automotive News
October 29, 2007 – 12:01 am ET

TOKYO — Volvo Car Corp. is considering a five-door hatchback that would be derived from its new C30 compact three-door model.

Such a vehicle could give Volvo a volume boost, said Magnus Jonsson, Volvo senior vice president of r&d, at the Tokyo motor show.

“The five-door would be less exciting from a design perspective,” he said, “but we’re looking to expand.”

Volvo needed to make a splash with its first small car, so a stylish three-door was necessary, said Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo’s senior vice president of brand, business and product strategy. Expanding the lineup is not out of the question, he said.

Volvo is impressed with early C30 sales in most countries, Kerssemakers said.

If markets such as the United States and Japan outsell their allocations of the three-door, that might speed the decision to make a five-door version, he said.

No time frame was given as to when that decision would be made.

I’ll wait to see other angles to pass my final opinionated judgment on it.