Volvo Considering 5door C30 – Swede Mag Has The Scoop

In a recent interview that Volvo’s senior vice president of r&d, gave to Automotive News, Magnus Jonsson acknowledged that the Swedish carmaker is giving serious consideration to the addition of a five-door model compact-sized model that would be derived from the new C30 three-door sport hatch. Jonsson added that such a vehicle could give Volvo a volume boost even though a five-door model of the C30 would be less exciting from a design perspective.

Apparently, either Jonsson or another high-ranked official from Volvo must have had the same conversation with the folks at Swedish car magazine “Teknikens Varld” as their front cover is adorned by what looks like a rendering of the 5door C30 which they address as the V30 (sounds logical). Something tells us that the Swedes mustn’t be too far off from the real deal.

Pic: Teknikens Varld , Info: Automotive News

Volvo C30 by MR Sweden Motorsport

MR Sweden Motosport has presented its latest offering based on the diesel version of the stylish Volvo C30 compact sport hatch. Modifications to the car’s 2.4-liter 5-cylinder turbodiesel unit include the new sports air filter and tuned ECU, which help increase output from 185 Hp to 224 Hp and maximum torque to 432 Nm or 318.6-lb/ft. The C30 now sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62 km/h) in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 225km/h or 146 mph. According to the German based tuner, the supped up Volvo C30 features an avg. consumption figure of 7.9 lt/00 km or 29.7 mpg. -Continued after the jump

Style wise, MR Sweden Motorsports equips the C30 with a subtle bodykit that consists of fron and rear bumper add-ons, a roof spoiler, side skirts and a real good-looking set of five-spoke 18-inch ASA five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 R18 rubber. The German based tuner also offers an adjustable sports suspension system that lowers the C30’s ground clearance by up to 60mm or 23.6-inches.

Via: Motorpasion

Video: Heico Sportiv Volvo C30 & S80

Due to be officially unveiled at the 2007 SEMA show in Las Vegas (Oct 30 to Nov 2), the S80 High Performance Concept has an aluminium-look exterior paintjob and 350 hp bioethanol engine, while the special version of the Volvo C30 features a surf-pattern exterior / orange interior and a 300 Hp 2.5T that helps it sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph)in 5.4 seconds. (See pics of the S80 here and the C30 here).

Sema Show: Volvo C30 by Heico Sportiv

Volvo has made a habit out of previewing supped up versions at SEMA the past few years and the 2007 show won’t be an exception. Alongside the bioethanol powered S80 that we showed you earlier today, the Swedes will introduce a special version of the all-new C30 2.5T hatch. Developed in cooperation with Volvo tuning specialist Heico Sportiv, the C30 features a beefy bodykit along with queer surf-inspired stickers and 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/35R19 Continental tyres.

As you might have guessed, the folks over at Heico Sportiv took a look at the C30’s turbocharged 5-cylinder 2,5-liter engine that normally produces 220 Hp and they decided that it wasn't enough. The result is an upgraded unit that produces 300 Hp helping the C30 accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds. -Press release and image gallery after the jump

Special-version Volvo C30 surfs to Las Vegas and SEMA

A surf-pattern exterior, a stunning orange dream interior and 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.

The special-version Volvo C30 by Heico Sportiv is ready to go to Las Vegas and the SEMA show.

"We wanted to turn up the "visual volume" of the sporty Volvo C30. And this is not just a one-off prototype. All the parts used are available in our tuning product range," says Holger Hedtke, president of German tuning and motor sports company Heico Sportiv.

The white Volvo C30 has a special surf-pattern design kit and a body kit with redesigned, widened skirts all round. The front features integrated spoiler flaps, three larger air ducts, integrated fog and cornering lights, and an integrated sport grille with the Volvo iron mark.

The deeper and wider rear skirt features a quad-pipe exhaust system made of stainless steel. The bespoke high-quality interior has orange leather with matching orange stitching and Heico Sportiv logos on the sport-contoured front seats. The safety belts and floor-mats are also orange.

The radiant interior also has a sports steering wheel in leather and a leather gear lever with
a silver accent. The entrance trim in stainless steel features the Heico Sportiv logo.

Beefed-up T5 powerplant

An upgraded, turbocharged T5 engine powers the C30. Is produces 300 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 420 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to100 km/h takes 5.4 seconds.

Top speed is 250 km/h (governed). The car also has a specially developed sport suspension.
New shocks and springs lower the chassis by 40 millimetres.

The 4-pot sport brake system has blue callipers featuring the Heico Sportiv logo, sport brake pads and 326x30 mm discs. The 19-inch VOLUTION^® V TITAN wheels are shod with 235/35R19 Continental tyres.

"The already sporty and distinctive personality of the C30 model makes it the perfect tuning product. Our car is a spectacular extension of the individualisation philosophy that is a part of the C30," says Holger Hedtke.

The SEMA (Speciality Equipment Manufacturers Association) show in Las Vegas is open between 30 October and 2 November 2007. SEMA is the biggest automotive specialty products trade event in the world.

Volvo ReCharge Concept: Pug-In Hybrid Version Of The C30

Based on the C30 hatch, Volvo’s ReCharge Concept is plug-in hybrid that combines four individual electric wheel motors with a four-cylinder 1.6-litre Flexifuel engine. The latter drives a generator to power the wheel motors when the battery is depleted. According to Volvo the car can be driven about 100 km (62 miles) on battery power alone before the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine is needed to kick in and recharge the battery.

For a 150 km (93 mile) drive starting with a full charge, the car will require less than 2.8 litres of fuel, giving the car an effective fuel economy of 1.9 l/100km (124 mpg). You might think that the ReCharge Concept would be slow in order to achieve these figures. Wrong; the ReCharge accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 9 sec. However, its top speed -160 km/h or 93 mph is apparently less impressive. Notably, the generator and the wheel motors were co-developed with British electromagnetic specialists PML Flightlink, known for their work with the electric MINI Cooper. -Press release and image gallery after the jump

Volvo ReCharge Concept Press Release

Plug-in hybrid with battery-only range of 100 km - and Flexifuel engine for backup power

Volvo Cars is introducing the Volvo ReCharge Concept, a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged via a regular electrical outlet for maximum environmental benefit.

Recharging allows the car to be driven about 100 kilometres on battery power alone before the car's four-cylinder Flexifuel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery.

Volvo ReCharge Concept makes its debut in a specially designed Volvo C30 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

"A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the CO2 emission demands of the future. Since the Volvo ReCharge Concept combines an excellent battery range with a backup combustion engine, it is a very interesting concept," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars.

The ReCharge Concept has been developed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC), the Volvo Car Corporation's think-tank in Camarillo, California.

"This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable transportation. A person driving less than 100 kilometres a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of drivers," says Magnus Jonsson.

Thanks to the excellent electrical range from a fuel consumption angle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is exceptionally kind to the car owner's wallet.

When driving on electric power only, operating costs are expected to be about 80 percent lower than that of a comparable petrol-powered car. When driving beyond the 100 km battery range, fuel consumption may vary from 0 to 5.5 litres per 100 km depending on the distance driven using the engine.

"This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity in intended markets comes from CO2-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and nuclear power," says Magnus Jonsson.

An electric motor at each wheel

The Volvo ReCharge Concept combines a number of the latest technological innovations into a so-called "series hybrid" where there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.

• The battery pack integrated into the luggage compartment uses lithium-polymer battery technology. The batteries are intended to have a useful life beyond that of the car itself.
• Four electric motors, one at each wheel, provide independent traction power.
• Four-cylinder 1.6-litre Flexifuel engine drives an advanced generator that efficiently powers the wheel motors when the battery is depleted.

Electric car with a combustion engine as backup

In principle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is a battery electric car with an efficient generator, an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), that steps in when battery charge becomes insufficient for adequate driving performance.

The APU is designed to distribute electrical power to the individual motors at each wheel. Since the combustion engine only powers the APU, it can operate in an optimal fashion, both for regulated emissions and CO2.

The APU is sufficiently powerful to supply an entire villa with electricity. For example it could with minor modifications in principle give the car owner an electricity generator right at his front door in the event of a power failure.

The driver can choose the power source

The combustion engine starts up automatically when 70 percent of the battery power has been used up. However, the driver also has the option of controlling the four-cylinder Flexifuel engine manually via a button in the instrument panel.

This allows the driver to start the engine earlier in order to maximize battery charge, for instance when out on the highway in order to save battery capacity for driving through the next town.

"There is a considerable difference between our plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Our solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept. He adds: "What is more, our C30 with plug-in hybrid technology retains its lively and sporty driving properties. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 9 seconds and top speed is 160 km/h."

Specially developed electric motors

The central electrical components in the Volvo ReCharge Concept demonstrator - the generator for the APU and the wheel motors - were developed together with British electromagnetic specialists PML Flightlink.

With an individual electric motor at each wheel, weight distribution as well as mechanical efficiency and traction are maximized. The friction in mechanical gears is eliminated. Since the car does not have the transmission found in ordinary cars, there is no need for a gear lever.

To help maximize the environmental benefits, the Volvo ReCharge Concept has high-efficiency tyres developed by Michelin. They are specially designed to accommodate the wheelmotors.

Further more, the car has All Wheel Drive in the truest sense of the term. Power to each wheel is controlled individually.

The energy that is generated during braking is transmitted to the battery pack. When the system is ultimately developed, traditional wheel brakes will be completely replaced by electrical brakes with minimal energy wasted through friction.

To ensure reliable operation of the drivetrain and braking system, driver inputs are fed into a quadruple-redundant electronic control system.

Ecologically sound solution for commuters

The Volvo ReCharge Concept is best suited to car drivers who cover moderate distances every day. For example, a commuter who has less than 100 kilometres (62 miles) to drive between home and workplace can cover the entire round trip on electric power alone and the equivalent daily fuel economy will be zero litres per 100 km.

Even drivers who cover more than the battery-only range will benefit from the ReCharge Concept. For a 150 km (93 mile) drive starting with a full charge, the car will require less than 2.8 litres of fuel, giving the car an effective fuel economy of 1.9 l/100km (124 mpg).

"The only requirement is that the car owner has access to electrical outlets at convenient places, such as at home or at the workplace. A full recharge takes 3 hours. However, even a one-hour quick charge should provide enough charge to drive about 50 kilometres," says Magnus Jonsson.

Insider: Volvo To Preview HEICO's SEMA Concepts In Frankfurt

We received an invitation from Volvo earlier this morning to take part in a preview event in the Frankfurt Show and check out two concepts tuned and designed by HEICO Sportiv prior to their SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) debut in Las Vegas this fall. According to Volvo, the cars destined for Las Vegas are a high performance S80 wearing a heavily tuned bioethanol powered turbocharged 6-cylinder unit and a C30 that features a flower power exterior (that’s exactly how the Swedes describe it) and an intriguing custom interior. (The car pictured above is a stock Heico S80 and not the actual concept)

2008 Volvo C30 Efficiency: 4.5l/100 km or 52.3 MPG

Who needs hybrids? Apparently Volvo doesn’t as it proves with the new C30 Efficiency (available from early 2008) which boasts an avg. fuel consumption of less than 4.5 l/100 km (or more than 52.3 mpg). That’s compared to 4.9 l/100 km which is the official figure for the 105Hp C30 1.6D on which it’s based on. Volvo has managed to reduce consumption via aerodynamics (lowered chassis height, underbody panels aerodynamically optimised 16-inch wheel rims etc), the use of low friction tires and higher gearing. That’s a lot of effort for a mere gain of 0,4l/100 km if you ask us but that’s how technology works, step by step.

Additionally, the Swede’s announced that they will offer a new “Powershift” gearbox in the C30, S40 and V50 with the 2-litre turbodiesel (2.0D) engine in early 2008 that reduces fuel consumption by about 8 percent compared with today's automatic transmissions. In Volvo’s own words, “Powershift” consists of two manual gearboxes that work in parallel and are controlled by separate clutch. -Press Release after the jump

Special version Volvo C30 below 4.5 l/100km

In parallel with Volvo Cars' focus on biofuels and hybrid technology, energy-effiency improvements are continuously being made to the company's conventional drivelines. The special version of the Volvo C30 called Efficiency has a fuel consumption below 4.5l/100 km, and CO2 emission below 120 g/km. Additionally, Volvo Cars will introduce a Powershift gearbox that reduces fuel consumption by about 8 percent.

"We are firmly committed to lowering the fuel consumption of our conventional petrol and diesel engines. By doing this we will continuously reduce the overall CO2 emission level for our whole model range," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars.

In 2008 Volvo Cars will introduce a Volvo C30 with a 1.6-litre turbodiesel (105 hp) that has a fuel consumption of less than 4.5 l/100 km. Volvo Cars' experts have succeeded in reducing fuel consumption by more than 0.4 l/100 km from 4.9 l/100 km which is the official figure for the C30 1.6D that is available on the market today. Translated into CO2 emissions, this is a reduction from 129 g/km to below 120 g.

"This is a science of small adjustments and gains. Many systems and details in a car model have been dimensioned to suit all engine variants, from the smallest diesel to the most powerful petrol unit. This gives possibilities for fine adjustments to individual engine variants, particularly the smallest alternatives," says Magnus Jonsson.

A range of measures within four main areas

The fuel consumption reduction has been achieved through measures within four main areas:

• Aerodynamics. The Efficiency has reduced chassis height, a new rear roof spoiler, a new rear bumper, underbody panels, optimised engine cooling and aerodynamically optimised 16-inch wheel rims.
• Rolling resistance is reduced with a new generation of low friction tyres
• Higher gearing. The unique gearbox variant has revised gearing on 3rd, 4th and 5th gears
• Powertrain efficiency increase. This includes new low-friction transmission oil, optimisation of steering servo assistance and engine management optimisation.
• The special C30 will also get visual elements that enhance its unique character.

Cash-back in Sweden

In Sweden, a conventional car with carbon dioxide emissions of 120 g/km or less is classified as an environmental car. This entitles private new-car buyers to a state-provided cash-back of 10,000 kronor (SEK).

"These measures are positive both for the customer and for the environment. The car owner gets a Volvo C30 with the very same sporty feel and appearance, with the added benefit of even better fuel economy and, in some countries, tax incentives. At the same time, emissions of carbon dioxide are cut by about 8 percent," explains Magnus Jonsson.

Powershift reduces consumption by 8 percent

In early 2008 Volvo Cars will introduce a new gearbox with a so-called Powershift feature. Powershift cuts fuel consumption by about 8 percent compared with today's automatic transmissions. It will be available in the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 with the 2-litre turbodiesel (2.0D) engine.

Put simply, one could say that Powershift consists of two manual gearboxes that work in parallel and are controlled by separate clutches. Since there is no disruption in torque delivery during the gearchanging process, gearshifts are instantaneous and the efficiency rating is higher.

Developments in petrol and diesel engines

The environment is in constant focus as Volvo Cars initiates continuous improvements in its other petrol and diesel engines. For petrol engines, the company's experts are examining how direct-injection technology can be further refined and they are also looking at even more advanced control of both the air/fuel mixture and valve control.

"When it comes to diesel engines, it isn't fuel consumption that is the greatest challenge. Here the main challenge is to meet the increasingly tough demands on regulated emissions such as nitrogen oxides and particulates without jeopardising the diesel engine's already low fuel consumption," says Magnus Jonsson.

Volvo R-Design Official: Available For C30, S40 & V50

That was quick; a couple of weeks after we first heard about Volvo’s intentions to present a sport package and the Swedish carmaker made it official. The option package will be named “R-DESIGN” (and not R-Line as we initially thought) and it will be available on the C30, S40 and V50 model range as of autumn 2007. The R-DESIGN package offers a range of sports-inspired interior

Exterior design includes an R-DESIGN badge in the front grille, color coordinated body kit, rear or roof spoiler, silver matt finish front grille and wing mirrors, and 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels (18-inch optionally). Interior design includes a two-tone black and cream upholstery with contrast stitching and embossed R-DESIGN logo, leather trimmed steering wheel with R-DESIGN logo, an aluminum center stack, blue instrument dials, sports pedals and tufted dark floor mats with cream leather seams. -Full press release along with a high-res image gallery after the jump

Spice up your Volvo with R-design - the choice for a refined taste

Volvo Cars is now introducing R-design - an exclusive factory-fitted options package for customers who want a car with refined attributes.R-design will initially be available on the Volvo C30, Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 as of autumn 2007.

"The possibility of tailoring one's car to suit personal tastes is becoming increasingly important to car buyers today. R-design has been developed for buyers who want a refined and sporty look for their cars," says Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Cars.

Customers can choose between 10 exterior colours, and the R-design badge in the grille is accompanied by a range of specially designed exterior and interior details. Exterior features include a satin matt-finish grille, colour co-ordinated bumpers and lower side mouldings, rear or roof spoiler, satin matt-finish door mirror caps and five-spoke aluminium wheels (17 inches, 18 inches available as option). There is also a decotrim on the tailgate of the C30 and V50.

2008 Volvo C30 & C70: Stronger 230Hp 2.5T & Minor Revisions

Following the revised S40/V50 and the 2008 S80 models Volvo has also announced minor changes for its C30 hatch & C70 Coupe-Convertible for the 2008 year range. Starting off with the common changes, both models receive the updated 2.5Turbo first featured in the 2008 S40/V50 that gains an extra 10Hp delivering now 230Hp.

Separately now, the C30 will be offered with a 1.8 Flexifuel engine (capable of running on bioethanol E85) and a 180Hp D5 Euro V compliant engine with six-speed manual transmission. The C30 also benefits from new hazard lights that are automatically activated if any airbag is deployed and a new EBL (Emergency Brake Light) function flashes all three brake lights five times a second to warn following drivers during an emergency braking manoeuvre. Exterior-wise, three new colours are available and the Volvo iron mark badge has increased in size by 50 per cent on the front grille. Inside, the RTI navigation system is now on hard disk for faster function and a hard load cover is now available as an option. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

The 2008 C70 features revised controls in the centre console complemented by a multi-function centre tunnel storage area, a more compact handbrake design, and a new armrest that’s longer and further forward for better driver comfort as well as offering a larger storage area. Other changes include more dynamically styled instrument panels for the T5 and D5 models and a new hard drive-based RTI road traffic information and satellite navigation system. As you’d expect, Volvo also offers four new exterior colours and a new matt real wood interior inlay, called Nordic Light Oak.

Technorati: Volvo+C30, Volvo+C70, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Volvo’s C30 Campaign Website: Rates 10 on Carscoop’s Cool o’ Meter

An anonymous tip led us to this very witty and interactive website dedicated to the brand new Volvo C30 hatch. It features all the TV advertisements (about 16) for the C30 and asks the viewers for their opinion with the same question in all of them- “What do you think?” Then it asks you to rate each commercial. Don’t be surprised if you see a few of these ads floating around on TV in the near future. Our favorite ones were the “It makes me feel like a real man” and “From this angle”. This is the perfect “waste the last hour at work doing nothing” sort of website. Let’s see if we’ll enjoy the new C30 as much as we did its campaign site. Link: www.volvocars.com/freewill

Technorati: Volvo+C30, commercial, TV+add, outube, videos, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, images, blogs, 2007

Volvo C30 - Heico Sportiv HS3 D5 to debut at Essen Show

A few weeks after presenting a trio of C30 based concepts at the SEMA show, Volvo specialist Heico Sportiv is crossing the pond as its preparing to premiere yet another C30 based model in the Essen Motor Show in Germany. But this time Heico’s souped-up C30 is the real deal.

More specifically, the Heico HS3 D5 features a full body kit with front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts, and fender flares. In the interior Heico’s C30 benefits from two-tone seat and door panels and a series of interior accessories, including a pedal set, foot rest, hand-brake lever, and door pins, all in aluminium.

In terms of mechanics, Heico’s program for the C30 includes a height-adjustable suspension kit, 4-tip stainless steel exhaust, 4-piston sports brake kit and most importantly, an engine kit that raises the 5cylinder diesel’s power from 180 to 205 Hp and torque from 350Nm to 400NM.

According to Heico, that's good enough for a 0-100 km/h time in 7,9 sec and a max speed close to 230 km/h. All Heico Sportiv products for the C30 will be commercially available in 2007

Technorati: Volvo+C30, Heico+Sportiv, tune, Essen+Motor+Show, 2006, tuning+news, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, images, pictures, Carscoop

2007 Volvo C30 Promotional Video

The Swedes didn’t let time go by as a day after the press release came out, the first promotional videos emerged on the internet. To read the official press release and see the first pictures check out this previous post: 2007 Volvo C30.

Technorati Tags: Volvo+C30, 2007, video, clip, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive, Paris+Motor+Show

2007 Volvo C30 Official Press Release

Premium Hatchback, 4 Individual seats, 4.25 m Length, S40 / V50 based, 109 Hp 1.6 petrol, 180 Hp 5cylinder D5 Turbo Diesel & 220 Hp 2.5 T5 Turbo engines

A few days after the first photographs of Volvo’s 2007 C30 leaked on the internet, the Swedes came out officially presenting their all new premium hatchback which will rival cars like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, VW Golf etc. The stylish C30 will be available in Europe in December with fourengines, a basic 100 Hp 1.6 petrol & 109 Hp 1.6 diesel, a 180 Hp 5cylinder Turbo diesel and a 220 Hp 2.5 Turbo petrol (the same as the European Ford Focus ST). Officially, the Swedish premium hatchback will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September

Comments: Fredrik Arp, CEO Volvo: “The new Volvo C30 is a cool car. A car that aims for a group of young singles, or couples, with busy urban lives. These people prioritise excitement in design and driving characteristics, and this car is designed to suit their taste and lifestyle”

“The new Volvo C30 plays an important role in our push towards a volume of 600,000 cars a year. We are broadening our model programme to make it possible for new, younger customers with a busy lifestyle to choose a Volvo with the right appeal as early as possible”

Press Release Dynamic design. Individual style: The design of the production-ready model closely resembles the Volvo C30 Design Concept, which was first shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January this year.

In profile, the sloping roofline and distinct wheel arches give the new Volvo C30 a dynamic silhouette, enhanced by the extreme curve of the side windows as they taper towards the rear. The car’s distinctive Volvo shoulders are powerfully rounded and accentuated by the horseshoe-shaped lighting pattern around the rear lamps and glass tailgate.

Volvo offers high-class audio systems for the new C30 – and true audiophiles can choose the ultimate Premium Sound system, with a digital 5x130W ICE Power amplifier from Alpine®, Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround Sound, and 10 Dynaudio® speakers.

Room for four adults: The new Volvo C30 has room for four adults thanks to the two separate folding rear seats with generous head and leg room. The rear seats are slightly centred to provide a feeling of space and a good forward view. The space between the seats also makes Volvo’s unique, ultra-thin centre stack clearly visible through the glass tailgate.

Performance: engines from 1.6 (100PS) to T5 (220PS): The new Volvo C30 has a wide selection of engines, ranging from a 100PS, four-cylinder 1.6-litre petrol engine and a clean, efficient four-cylinder, 1.6-litre diesel with 109PS, to the five-cylinder D5 diesel and T5 petrol turbo engines, providing 180PS and 220PS respectively.

At 4.25 metres long the C30 is the smallest member of Volvo’s model range – 22cm shorter than the current smallest Volvo model, the Volvo S40 saloon.

First class safety: When it comes to safety, the C30 is a true Volvo. Combined with airbags and safety belt tensioners, the Volvo C30 offers first class safety. The standard safety equipment naturally includes the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with side airbags and the Inflatable Curtain (IC).

The Volvo C30 will also be available with BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), which helps the driver to identify another vehicle in the blind spot at the rear sides of the car. The front has the same patented structure as the Volvo S40 saloon or V50 Sportswagon.

Production and volumes:The global volume target for the new Volvo C30 is 65,000 cars per year. Volvo expects that 75 per cent of the buyers will be in Europe and the largest markets will be Italy, Germany, Spain and United Kingdom. The car will be built at Volvo’s Ghent factory in Belgium and is expected in UK showrooms at the turn of the year.

The Volvo C30 SportsCoupe is a welcome addition to the Volvo C-range, complementing the recently launched Volvo C70 coupe/convertible. The stylish Volvo C30 will appeal to a wide range of customers and competes with other compact premium models typified by the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3.

Technorati Tags: Volvo+C30, 2007, official+press+release, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive, images, pictures, Paris+Motor+Show