New Volvo C30 Unveiled at Paris

Love it or hate it, you simply can't deny it

By Text & Photos edited by Clinton Deacon
September 28, 2006 7:43 PM
Filed Under: European, Volvo

Press Release

Page 1: Overview
Page 2: More Details
Page 3: Coming to America

Overview

With the new C30, Volvo makes its debut in the two-door premium-car segment. The sporty design, with two doors, four individual seats, and a glass tailgate, aims to give a young and dynamic group of customers "a Volvo of their own."

"The new C30 aims for a group of young singles, or couples, who live active urban lifestyles. These people prioritize excitement in design and driving characteristics, and this car is designed to suit their taste and lifestyle," said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars.

Coming to America

As the covers were pulled off the stunning new Volvo C30, Volvo Cars or North America, LLC (VCNA) announced that it would sell the car in the U.S. market. No firm on-sale date has been announced, but VCNA will not introduce the C30 before the 2008 model year.

In the U.S. market, the current direction is for the C30 to come in just one version: Hot. With 218 turbocharged horses galloping through the front wheels and 236 lb.-ft. of torque that's available from 1,500-4,800 rpm, the C30 is sure to please the enthusiast driver. Contributing to the C30's exciting driving dynamics is the fact that this newest Volvo is 8.5 inches shorter than the S40 sport sedan. Because of its smaller overall size, the C30 benefits from an improved power-to-weight ratio over its sedan counterpart.

Pricing and sales-volume data in the U.S. market will be announced closer to the Volvo C30's on-sale date.

For an active life in urban areas

Volvo has focused primarily on singles, or couples without children who see the car as a vital component to their active lifestyles. When they buy clothing, home furnishings, or electronic devices, design and brand are very important factors - and they choose cars in the same way.

"These are customers who move between their homes, the office, meetings, the gym, and to their favorite spots around town at a fast pace. This group prioritizes exciting design and exhilarating driving characteristics, and for the most part there are not more than two people in the car," explains HÃ¥kan Abrahamsson, Project Director for the Volvo C30. He adds,

"Another appealing possibility, of course, is that the C30 will be the second car for families with children."

Confident design and a fast silhouette

The design of the production-ready C30 is in tune with the Volvo C30 Design Concept that was first shown at the North American International Auto Show last January. The assertive front clip is retained from the Design Concept, with its angled headlamps and low, wide grille. Viewed from the side, the distinct wheel housings in contrasting materials, and the sloping roof give the new C30 a fast silhouette, which is further enhanced by the extreme boat-shape of the side windows. This is created by the narrowing roof and incorporating the wide shoulders that have become a Volvo design hallmark.

The shoulders at the rear are powerfully rounded and are accentuated by the horseshoe shaped lighting pattern of the tail lamps, and the glass tailgate. The spoiler at the upper edge of the tailgate is available in two different versions.

"The C30 has plenty of muscles in a sporty and compact package. Anyone who recalls the Volvo SCC (Safety Concept Car) will recognize the exclusive and convenient glass tailgate. The distinctive tail lamps ensure that no one will ever be uncertain about which car they have in front of them," says Volvo Car's Design Director Steve Mattin.

A Product of Free Will

The possibility of adapting the car to their personal taste is high on the wish list among the intended buyers. When the new C30 hits the US, a wide array of factory installed options and retailer installed accessories will be available for the customer to personalize the car their way. Styling items like a sport steering wheel, unique inlays, 18-inch wheels and a choice of deck spoilers are just a few items that will allow customers to exercise their free will.

Room for four adults

The new Volvo C30 has room for four adults thanks to the two separate seating positions in the rear seat, with generous head- and legroom. The rear seats are slightly centered to provide a feeling of spaciousness and excellent forward visibility. It also makes communication between front and rear occupants much easier. The space between the seats also makes the thin, visually floating center stack clearly visible from the outside through the glass tailgate.

Target 65,000 cars a year

The Volvo C30 will be unveiled for the public at the Paris Motor Show in September, and production will begin at the end of 2006. The volume target is 65,000 cars a year. Volvo expects that 75 percent of the buyers will be in Europe. The largest markets are Italy, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, the USA, France, Sweden, and Holland.

The new C30 will make a firm impression in a segment that is new for Volvo - and the intention is that at least three out of four Volvo C30s will find customers who do not currently drive a Volvo.

"I am convinced that the new C30 will be a great success. Since we displayed the concept car in Detroit, it has become one of the market's most talked about and eagerly awaited newcomers." said Kerssemakers.


Page 1: Overview
Page 2: More Details
Page 3: Coming to America

Details

The all-new Volvo C30 is the smallest and most expressive car in Volvo’s model range. With its solid body, dynamic chassis, coupled with a current strategy that calls for a single engine offer of the powerful turbocharged T5 engine, it will offer a very dynamic driving experience. The interior, which is functionally designed with a number of smart refinements, offers an unexpectedly high level of comfort and flexibility. And, like all of the other Volvos, the all-new C30 has been developed to be a very safe car.

“The C30's efficient design has not prevented us from integrating much of what is best in the larger Volvo cars,� says Håkan Abrahamsson, Project Director for the C30. “Even the smallest Volvo should provide the right premium feel – in all respects. This applies not only to the appearance and the impression of quality, it also applies to how much fun the C30 is to drive and use on a daily basis. Our intention is that the Volvo C30 should attract people who love driving.�

Thanks to its small size and well-thought design, the Volvo C30 will be as fun to drive as it is to admire. It is built according to the same principles as the other Volvo cars: a solid body with generous front and rear tracks and a relatively long wheelbase contribute to giving it inspiring and stable driving characteristics. The chassis, with MacPherson front wheel suspension and a Multilink rear axle, is optimized to provide outstanding control and precise response to the driver's inputs.

218 horsepower and 8.5-inches shorter than a Volvo S40

Putting 218 horsepower to the front wheels, the new C30 is powered by a turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that produces 236 pound-feet of torque.

Measuring in at just 167 inches in length, the C30 is the smallest member of Volvo’s model range – an impressive 8.5 inches shorter than the Volvo S40 sport sedan – while still retaining the 103.9 inch wheel base, which really pushes the wheels towards the end of the car. “A car that exudes muscular maneuverability must live up to the promise of its looks when you are behind the wheel," says Abrahamsson. "Therefore, the C30 has a chassis that offers sporty driving characteristics, nimble handling and responsive steering.

Interior comfort and flexibility for four adults

The Volvo C30 offers a comfortable and flexible interior with a surprisingly airy feel and generous amounts of room for four adults. Like all Volvo seats, the front seats are ergonomically designed and offer outstanding comfort and support. It is easy to move the seat forward and rearward, for convenient access to the rear seat. The tapered design of the B-pillar also contributes to the easy entrance.

The rear features bucket-style seats that are positioned somewhat towards the center of the car to provide an exceptionally good forward view. This also provides space for storage in the side panels. To provide maximum interior flexibility, the rear seat backrests individually split and fold flat. Folding can be easily done when standing behind the car as well as from the passenger compartment.

The glass tailgate is very convenient and easy to open and close. It offers good access to the cargo compartment. To keep items in the cargo compartment from view, two load covers (soft sided and hard sided) are available as options.

To provide a pleasant cabin climate, air conditioning and a pollen filter are standard in the Volvo C30. It is possible to set the temperature individually for the right and left sides.

World-class audio with auxiliary MP3 player connections

“We have chosen to give the C30 one of the very best factory-fitted audio systems in the world,� says Abrahamsson. “And the design, with its wide doors and deep side panels in the rear, offers powerful bass reproduction.�

Right out of the box, audio enthusiasts will appreciate the Volvo C30's standard 160-watt stereo system. And true audiophiles can choose a Premium Sound system that closely matches the acclaimed system offered in the new C70, with a digital 5x130W ICE Power amplifier from Alpine®, Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround, and 10 loudspeakers from Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dynaudio®. Total output for the Premium Sound System is an astonishing 650 watts. Simply put, it rocks.

Both sound systems make it possible to play music CDs in MP3 and WMA formats. This means that the CD changer can store hundreds of music tracks.

U.S.-bound C30s will come standard with an input for connecting an iPod, as well as a CD player that can play both MP3 and WMA media. Also available for the upgraded Dynaudio system is the Volvo USB/iPod Music interface. It is easy to connect a personal music player and to control it with the car’s controls, which contributes to increased safety and convenience.

Assertive design provides outstanding visibility

Looking good in the C30 is easy. Looking outside is just as simple. The Volvo C30’s unique design, with its vast expanse of side glass, creates a panoramic view from all four seats. The inwardly curving rear side windows and the unique glass tailgate provide outstanding rearward visibility. Well placed rear seats, with their theater style layout gives passengers in the back a good view through the front side windows.

Advanced information systems offer improved driver control

To make it easier for the driver to detect other vehicles in the blind spot at the side of the car Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) will be available as an option. The system uses cameras mounted in the side door mirrors to register if another vehicle is in the blind spot. If a vehicle is detected, a lamp located at the base of the A-pillar illuminates to alert the driver of the situation.

To help reduce the risk of the driver being distracted by untimely information in critical situations, Volvo's Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) is standard on the Volvo C30. IDIS is an electronic information system that continuously monitors certain functions in the car such as steering wheel movements, accelerator pedal movement, the direction indicator controls, and braking. In demanding driving situations information that is not crucial to safety, such as text messages from the IP, is delayed until the situation requires less of the driver's attention.

Advanced body structure contributes to effective collision protection

“Although the C30 is 8.5 inches shorter than the S40, it has the same safety level as its sedan sibling, even with respect to rear impacts� said Abrahamsson. “The body structure is designed in the same way to contribute to controlled deformation, and the inner protective systems are similar.�

The front structure is divided into zones that are constructed of different grades of steel with different deformation characteristics, to distribute and absorb collision forces in a controlled and effective manner.

The lower side members are designed to help prevent the front wheels from being forced into the cabin in a collision.

The engine is transversely mounted and very efficiently packed to have room for movement in the engine bay when the front is deformed.

Cross members, sills and door pillars are solidly constructed to keep the cabin as intact as possible in a collision.

Dual-stage airbags, safety belt tensioners in all four seating positions, force limiters on the front belts, and collapsible pedals help protect the occupants of the car in a frontal collision.

The steering column deforms in a controlled manner in a horizontal movement to interact with the airbag as effectively as possible.

SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), side impact airbags, and IC (Inflatable curtains) contribute to effective protection in side impacts.

The rear safety structure is designed with an optimized mix of different grades of steel to provide strength and carefully controlled deformation in a rear impact.

The rear side members are designed to absorb most of the impact forces in the early phases of a rear impact.

The fuel tank is well-protected in front of the rear axle

WHIPS (Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System) is standard on the front seats, and contributes to reducing the risk of neck injuries.

The gently rounded front and the deep spoiler are designed to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists.


Page 1: Overview
Page 2: More Details
Page 3: Coming to America

Volvo announces it will sell the C30 in the U.S. market

In conjunction with Volvo Cars dramatic unveiling of the all-new C30 at today's Paris Motor Show, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) announced that it will bring the car to the U.S. market no earlier than the 2008 model year. The announcement comes just nine months after the C30 Design Concept was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in early 2006.

The C30's primary markets will be in Europe, with the largest markets being Italy, the U.K. Germany and Spain. Volvo Cars estimates global sales of the C30 at 65,000 units annually. Pricing and volume expectations for the U.S.-bound C30 have not yet been set.

The C30 will represent a new segment entry for Volvo; one that will bring a younger buyer into Volvo retailers. "The Volvo C30 is a very exciting car with emotional appeal. We anticipate that the C30's youthfulness and dynamic design will catch the hearts and minds of people beyond Volvo's traditional customers." commented Anne Bélec, President and CEO of VCNA.

To get those younger buyers interested, the edgy design of the C30 features a unique frameless glass tailgate, a confident stance and the broad shoulders that have become a Volvo design hallmark. “The C30 has plenty of muscles in a sporty and compact package," noted Volvo Car’s Design Director Steve Mattin. "Anyone who recalls the Volvo SCC (Safety Concept Car) or the classic P1800ES will recognize the exclusive and convenient rear tailgate. The distinctive tail lamps ensure that no one will be uncertain about which car they are following.�

218 horsepower and 8.5-inches shorter than a Volvo S40

Putting 218 horsepower to the front wheels, the new C30 is powered by a turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that produces 236 pound-feet of torque.

Measuring in at just 167 inches in length, the C30 is the smallest member of Volvo’s model range – an impressive 8.5 inches shorter than the Volvo S40 sport sedan while still retaining the 103.9 inch wheel base, which really pushes the wheels towards the end of the car. “A car that exudes muscular maneuverability must live up to the promise of its looks when you are behind the wheel," said C30 project leader Håkan Abrahamsson. "Therefore, the C30 has a chassis that offers sporty driving characteristics, nimble handling and responsive steering.

Right out of the box, audio enthusiasts will appreciate the Volvo C30's standard 160-watt stereo system. And true audiophiles can choose a Premium Sound system that closely matches the acclaimed system offered in the new C70, with a digital 5x130W ICE Power amplifier from Alpine®, Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround, and 10 loudspeakers from Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dynaudio®. Total output for the Premium Sound System is an astonishing 650 watts. Simply put, it rocks.

Volvo's legendary safety is well represented in the new C30

When it comes to safety, the new C30 is a true Volvo. Among other things, it will 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 end incorporates the same patented multi-steel structure as the S40 and V50. Combined with airbags and safety belt pretensioners, the C30 offers first class safety.

But the C30 wouldn't be a Volvo if it didn't also include such standard safety equipment as the Whiplash Protection System, WHIPS, and a Side Impact Protection System with side airbags and the Inflatable Curtain, IC.

Preliminary Specifications

Engine:

2.5-liter double overhead cam turbocharged 5-cylinder

218 hp at 5,000 rpm

236 lb.-ft of torque at 1,500 – 4,800 rpm

Dimensions:

Length – 167.4 inches

Width – 80.3 inches

Height – 57.0 inches

Weight – 2,900 pounds (estimated)

Wheelbase – 103.9 inches