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Volvo has launched its new facelifted C30 and C70 cabriolet. Though the changes are only cosmetic, they have dramatically improved the looks of both the hatchback and cabriolet.
The C30 appeals to city drivers who are looking for a hassle free daily runabout with agility and the brand's reassuring safety features. Like its predecessor, the new Volvo C30 is designed to stand out in the premium hatchback crowd courtesy of a new front and rear design.
We’ve enjoyed our own 2l C30 long-termer over the past few months so I was eager to see how the updated version compares.
The new C30 sees cosmetic changes in the form of a new sportier front and rear detailing.
The new C30 shows off a larger Volvo iron mark. The air intake has also grown in size and resembles the intake in the XC60, while the new pattern on the grille is unique to the C30.
These changes give the car a distinctive personality clearly separating it from the rest of Volvo’s model range.
The rear bumper has been redesigned and Volvo have added a larger logo across the rear.
Volvo has also added two new wheel options including white wheel rims, which corresponds with the new metallic orange paintwork.
Inside I was curious to see how Volvo could spruce up the functional albeit dull interior. The new changes are a mixed bag really – they’ve installed new colour combination, even added a leather cranberry red interior scheme, but the rest of the instrumentation has been untouched.
The new C30’s interior sees some dramatic styling changes such the inner door handles showing off Map coordinates - even the floor mats form a world map graphic.
Volvo's C30 has set its eyes on design and has included a new accessory styling kit with a bolder, less polished style. The kit includes foglamp décor, a front skidplate, side scuff plates with an engraved C30 logo and a rear skidplate.
On the T5 derivative, two 90 mm tail pipes in polished stainless steel are added to underline the powerful engine.
New chassis
The new sport chassis, which is standard on the T5 R-Design and optional on the C30 2l, is considerably sharper, with more distinct properties than before.
The steering feels more refined due to the installation of stiffer bushings and the steering ratio is lower, allowing for a faster responses.
Spring stiffness has been increased by no less than 30% in order to increase the car's poise during more enthusiastic driving. The dampers are also stiffer and are now of the exclusive mono-tube type that builds up pressure quicker.
The vehicle's roll stabilizers have also been improved as is evident when taking corners.
New Volvo C30 T5 R-Design
With the T5 drivative the C30 takes on an all new look and feel - that of a premier hot hatch. The
most noticeable design change is the R-Design's all-new body kit featuring a redesigned front and rear.
The T5 also sports two 90 mm tail pipes in polished stainless steel are added to underline the powerful engine.
Volvo has reduced the ride height by 10mm, added five-spoke Cratus wheels and the interior is now available with dramatic new black upholstery as an alternative.
New Volvo C30 Pricing
1.6 manual R227, 400
2.0 manual R255, 700
2.0 Powershift R271, 200
T5 R-Design manual R328, 500
T5 R-Design Geartronic R341 000
C70 - hot coupe or sleek convertible?
Is there a better way to cruise around Table Mountain than in a convertible?
The new Volvo C70 is as much an elegant coupé as it is a sporty convertible. The C70 sports the same three-piece steel roof class-leading convertible safety as before but with a few design tweaks.
The C70’s new front grille reveals traces of Volvo’s new S60 recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
Bodywork details such as the front wings have been redesigned, the nose is more wedge-shaped and the headlights have been repositioned to give the new C70 a more dynamic appearance.
The new headlights and the décor around the foglamps, for instance, have been angled up and to the rear, while the detailing of the lower grille is more pronounced. The enlarged iron mark and the new, larger air intake reinforce the self-assured stance. A new striking colour scheme has been added to the line-up - Flamenco Red Pearl.
New rear design
The exclusive high-tech LED lamps are the most noticeable update at the rear. The entire lamp unit is clearly integrated with the oval that frames the new C70's rear panel.
The C70 sees an all-new rear design with more pronounced rear light LED clusters and a larger Volvo logo.
The interior has been redesigned and shows a sleeker looking centre console along with new instrumentation exclusive to the C70.
Volvo’s C70 is powered by the superb 168kW T5 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Driving the C70 couldn’t be simpler with a ride that’s as comfortable as it is secure. Put your footdown though and you’re rewarded by a superb engine grunt and power delivery.
Along the 12 Apostles route the cabriolet deftly handled all the twist and bends around Cape Town's scenic Atlantic coast mountain passes.
ROPS - Roll-over protection
The C70 has sturdy metal hoops that shoot up at the rear of the vehicle, behind the rear seat passengers, which creates a protective "compartment" should the car roll over.
These hoops, part of Volvo's Rollover Protection System (ROPS), are activated by a gyro-sensor. Since the vehicle has a proper glass rear window, the hoops shoot up through the glass if the roof is up. To compensate for the this the hoops have been fitted with metal spikes in order to puncture the glass.
Another important safety feature in the C70 is the side-impact protection in the form of an inflatable curtain which are installed within the doors
Price - R529 600
What do you think of the design changes on the new C30 and C70? Share your thoughts here!
The C30 appeals to city drivers who are looking for a hassle free daily runabout with agility and the brand's reassuring safety features. Like its predecessor, the new Volvo C30 is designed to stand out in the premium hatchback crowd courtesy of a new front and rear design.
We’ve enjoyed our own 2l C30 long-termer over the past few months so I was eager to see how the updated version compares.
The new C30 sees cosmetic changes in the form of a new sportier front and rear detailing.
The new C30 shows off a larger Volvo iron mark. The air intake has also grown in size and resembles the intake in the XC60, while the new pattern on the grille is unique to the C30.
These changes give the car a distinctive personality clearly separating it from the rest of Volvo’s model range.
The rear bumper has been redesigned and Volvo have added a larger logo across the rear.
Volvo has also added two new wheel options including white wheel rims, which corresponds with the new metallic orange paintwork.
Inside I was curious to see how Volvo could spruce up the functional albeit dull interior. The new changes are a mixed bag really – they’ve installed new colour combination, even added a leather cranberry red interior scheme, but the rest of the instrumentation has been untouched.
The new C30’s interior sees some dramatic styling changes such the inner door handles showing off Map coordinates - even the floor mats form a world map graphic.
Volvo's C30 has set its eyes on design and has included a new accessory styling kit with a bolder, less polished style. The kit includes foglamp décor, a front skidplate, side scuff plates with an engraved C30 logo and a rear skidplate.
On the T5 derivative, two 90 mm tail pipes in polished stainless steel are added to underline the powerful engine.
New chassis
The new sport chassis, which is standard on the T5 R-Design and optional on the C30 2l, is considerably sharper, with more distinct properties than before.
The steering feels more refined due to the installation of stiffer bushings and the steering ratio is lower, allowing for a faster responses.
Spring stiffness has been increased by no less than 30% in order to increase the car's poise during more enthusiastic driving. The dampers are also stiffer and are now of the exclusive mono-tube type that builds up pressure quicker.
The vehicle's roll stabilizers have also been improved as is evident when taking corners.
New Volvo C30 T5 R-Design
With the T5 drivative the C30 takes on an all new look and feel - that of a premier hot hatch. The
most noticeable design change is the R-Design's all-new body kit featuring a redesigned front and rear.
The T5 also sports two 90 mm tail pipes in polished stainless steel are added to underline the powerful engine.
Volvo has reduced the ride height by 10mm, added five-spoke Cratus wheels and the interior is now available with dramatic new black upholstery as an alternative.
New Volvo C30 Pricing
1.6 manual R227, 400
2.0 manual R255, 700
2.0 Powershift R271, 200
T5 R-Design manual R328, 500
T5 R-Design Geartronic R341 000
C70 - hot coupe or sleek convertible?
Is there a better way to cruise around Table Mountain than in a convertible?
The new Volvo C70 is as much an elegant coupé as it is a sporty convertible. The C70 sports the same three-piece steel roof class-leading convertible safety as before but with a few design tweaks.
The C70’s new front grille reveals traces of Volvo’s new S60 recently unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
Bodywork details such as the front wings have been redesigned, the nose is more wedge-shaped and the headlights have been repositioned to give the new C70 a more dynamic appearance.
The new headlights and the décor around the foglamps, for instance, have been angled up and to the rear, while the detailing of the lower grille is more pronounced. The enlarged iron mark and the new, larger air intake reinforce the self-assured stance. A new striking colour scheme has been added to the line-up - Flamenco Red Pearl.
New rear design
The exclusive high-tech LED lamps are the most noticeable update at the rear. The entire lamp unit is clearly integrated with the oval that frames the new C70's rear panel.
The C70 sees an all-new rear design with more pronounced rear light LED clusters and a larger Volvo logo.
The interior has been redesigned and shows a sleeker looking centre console along with new instrumentation exclusive to the C70.
Volvo’s C70 is powered by the superb 168kW T5 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Driving the C70 couldn’t be simpler with a ride that’s as comfortable as it is secure. Put your footdown though and you’re rewarded by a superb engine grunt and power delivery.
Along the 12 Apostles route the cabriolet deftly handled all the twist and bends around Cape Town's scenic Atlantic coast mountain passes.
ROPS - Roll-over protection
The C70 has sturdy metal hoops that shoot up at the rear of the vehicle, behind the rear seat passengers, which creates a protective "compartment" should the car roll over.
These hoops, part of Volvo's Rollover Protection System (ROPS), are activated by a gyro-sensor. Since the vehicle has a proper glass rear window, the hoops shoot up through the glass if the roof is up. To compensate for the this the hoops have been fitted with metal spikes in order to puncture the glass.
Another important safety feature in the C70 is the side-impact protection in the form of an inflatable curtain which are installed within the doors
Price - R529 600
What do you think of the design changes on the new C30 and C70? Share your thoughts here!
