2011 Volvo C70 facelift spotted during photoshoot

The trouble that an automaker with a distinctive yet conservative design heritage such as Volvo always has, in terms of stylistic challenges, are the two burning questions: Where to go next and how far to take a new design for a facelift or next-generation iteration of a model.

Here are a couple of spy shots of the facelifted Volvo C70 coupe/convertible taken in Barcelona, Spain by an intrepid Volvo4life.es forum poster and you can judge for yourself whether Volvo is on track here. Design cues from the recent S60 Concept are clearly evident. And one can argue that Volvo has given this coupe/convertible a little extra character, with more rounded lines around the new face and a more gaping mouth (wider grille), while still maintaining a design consistency.

That altered face also comes by way of a new bumper and headlights which have a more pronounced look over the current generation. And at the back, are a new set of taillights, new rear bumper and a larger font Volvo name spelled out on the trunk door. A series of changes enough for, if not worthy of, a new facelift release.

The new facelifted Volvo C70 coupe/convertible will likely make its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September. It is slated for launch sometime in 2010.