The two-door C30 is a 2-door premium compact featuring a prominent glass rear hatch like the 1800ES wagon of the early 1970s. It's the smallest car available in Volvo's lineup and 2011 sees several major exterior styling updates to help differentiate it from Volvo's S40 sedan and V50 wagon. A completely new front end with a unique grille, headlights and front bumper has been added, and in the rear, black plastic panels have been replaced with painted pieces that can either be had in body color or in a contrasting hue.
Power comes from Volvo's turbocharged 2.5L inline 5-cylinder engine making 227 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, while a 6-speed "Geartronic" automatic is optional. Volvo estimates fuel mileage at 21 mpg city with either transmission, while on the highway, the manual is rated at 29 mph and the automatic at 30 mpg.
Two models are available: the T5 and the R-design. The T5 comes equipped with a leather covered steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, a comfort-tuned chassis, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, tire pressure warning system, trip computer, ambient temperature gauge, Bluetooth, HD radio with CD player and iPod and USB music interface, and 50/50 split rear seating. The base price of the T5 is $24,600, while the R-design starts at $26,950.
The sportier R-design gets a much more sharp and stiff chassis, with much more precise steering featuring a ratio reduction of ten percent over the T5. The springs are 30 percent stiffer and the shocks and sway bars have been redesigned to provide a much more solid ride. Outside, the package adds special badges, front fog lamps, silk metal finish grille and side mirror housings, unique body kit with front and rear spoilers, 18-inch aluminum wheels, tailgate spoiler and chrome tailpipes. Inside, special upholstery has been fitted, with embossed R-design emblems in the front seats, and aluminum trim is featured around the gauges and shifter.
Several option packages are available, including a $900 Climate Package that adds heated front seats, headlight washers, rain sensor, electronic climate control, and an air filtration system. The $2,000 Multimedia Package features navigation and a premium sound system. The T5 Preferred Package features a power glass moonroof, power front seats, fog lights, and aluminum gauge and shifter inlays. On the R-design, the same package adds the power front seats and moonroof, as well as Volvo's Keyless Drive system. In either case, the Preferred Package is priced at $1,800.
Standard safety features include a reinforced passenger compartment, dual-stage front airbags, inflatable side curtains, side-impact air bags, seatbelts with pre-tensioners, whiplash protection, rear fog light, daytime running lamps, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control and anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Assist.
Sporty Driving Feel, Turbocharged 5-cylinder Engine, Compact Size, Volvo-standard Safety And Reliability.
For 2011, the Volvo C30 sees updated interior and exterior styling. The entire front clip is new, including the soft nose, front fenders, grille, headlights and front spoiler, helping to differentiate the car from Volvo's other models. The grille itself is larger, as is the trademark Volvo emblem, and it uses a new pattern specific to the C30 line. Out back, several black plastic panels have been replaced with body colored pieces and some of the body contours have been exaggerated. The T5 R-design returns for 2011, featuring a new body kit and retuned suspension and steering systems aimed at making the car better balanced and much more responsive than past models.
With room for four, a sport-tuned suspension and styling reminiscent of Volvo's 1800ES of the 1970s, the 2011 Volvo C30 appeals to a wide range of buyers. And just because it's fun doesn't mean it can't be responsible; Volvo's reputation for safety and reliability puts it at the top of its class among other small cars priced under $30k.
