Forthcoming Volvo C30 advances
legacy of Swedish sports wagon

By Jeff Perry

VOLVO CAR CORPORATION has announced the C30 Design Concept, a car that will make its world debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9th. The production version of this front-wheel drive, two-door, four-passenger, glass tailgate hatchback will be introduced at the Paris Motor Show in September 2006.

     The C30’s design reflects the Volvo Safety Concept Car (1800 news , May 2001), which itself is inspired by the classic 1800 ES. On January 4th, Volvo issued a press release in which C30 Project Director Håkan Abrahamsson said: “The Safety Concept Car (SCC) heralded a bold design language for Volvo. Its roots could be found in the classic proportions of the P1800 ES, but there was no denying that it was also a Volvo of the future. As it turned out, the SCC is an excellent reflection of our ambition for the C30 project.”

     Commenting on the styling cues of the C30’s shapely rear shoulders and horseshoe-shaped rear light clusters: “The rear light pattern is so unusual that you’ll never be in any doubt about what car you have in front of you.” Moreover, “The [interior] design showcases Volvo’s super-thin ‘floating’ center stack, bringing it into full view from behind through the glass tailgate,” said Steve Mattin, design director at Volvo. Powered by a 2.4-liter 5-cylinder 20-valve DOHC turbocharged engine with an 8.5:1 compression ratio that produces 260 hp at 5,500 rpm, the C30 Concept can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Redline is at 6500 rpm. 

     The car is fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, Brembo brakes with four-piston aluminum calipers and 13-inch ventilated discs front and rear, and 19-inch aluminum wheels with Pirelli Corsa 225/35 R19

tires. The production C30 will be available in various 4-cylinder engine configurations, which may include an optional hybrid. Speculation is that Volvo will eventually offer a 5-cylinder R-version, similar to the concept car. 

    Based on the Ford CD-1 chassis, the C30 Concept has a length of 166.9 inches and a width of 70.1 inches, which gives it dimensions that are 9 inches shorter and 1/2-inch wider than an S40 sedan. Interior features include rear seats that can be folded individually or together, allowing maximum use of interior space.