Volvo C30

Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Parent company	Ford Motor Company (2006–2010) Geely Holding Group (2010–present)
Production	2006–present
Assembly	Ghent, Belgium
Predecessor	Volvo 480
Class	Small family car
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Volvo P1 platform[citation needed]
Engine(s)	Petrol: 1.6 L 99 hp straight-4 1.8 L 123 hp straight-4 1.8 L 123 hp Flexifuel straight-4 2.0 L 143 hp straight-4 2.4 L 168 hp straight-5 2.5 L 227 hp turbocharged straight-5 Diesel: 1.6 L 108 hp straight-4 2.0 L 134 hp straight-4 2.4 L 178 hp straight-5
Transmission(s)	5- or 6-speed manual 5-speed automatic 6-speed PowerShift
Wheelbase	2,640 mm (103.9 in)
Length	2007-2010: 4,252 mm (167.4 in) 2011-: 4,266 mm (168.0 in)
Width	2007-2010: 1,782 mm (70.2 in) 2011-: 1,548 mm (60.9 in)
Height	1,447 mm (57.0 in)
Curb weight	1,331 kg (2,930 lb)-1,347 kg (2,970 lb)
Related	Mazda3 Ford Focus (international) Volvo S40 Volvo V50

The Volvo C30 is a small car produced by Volvo Cars. The C30 is a three-door, four-seat hatchback powered by straight-4 and straight-5 engines. The car is a hatchback version of the S40/V50/C70 range, and uses the same Ford C1 (or Volvo P1) platform. It is being marketed as a premium hatchback or "sports coupe" specially designed for first-time Volvo buyers and the youth market. Production is expected to be 65,000 units a year, 75% for sale in the European market. The production car was officially unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.^[1]

The exterior design of the C30 is based on the 2001 SCC concept car, which was inspired by the 1800ES, the estate adaptation of the P1800 Coupe. It also shares many design cues with the Volvo 480, particularly the 'sportback' body style and glass tailgate. According to Simon Lamarre, chief studio designer, "the 1800ES has become one of the icons for Volvo,"^[2] inspiring the design of the Volvo C30.^[2] The interior design is similar to the S40 and V50; the majority of parts including the instrument panel, 'floating' centre stack and steering wheel are shared by the three cars.

Model ranges

Europe

Pre-facelift C30.

In late 2006, the C30 was launched in Europe. Engines choices range from a 1.6L inline-4 (petrol or diesel) to a 2.5L inline-5 turbo (2.4L diesel). 2009 added the choices of a 6-speed PowerShift dual-clutch automatic with the 2.0 L petrol and diesel engines, a 1.8L E85 flex-fuel engine, and 1.6L "DRIVe" diesel engines with improved efficiency and optional start/stop capability. Trim lines include SE and SE Lux in the UK, and Kinetic, Momentum, and Summum (from fewest to most features) in most other European nations. The R-Design package adds interior and exterior accessories including aluminum inlays on the dashboard, R-Design emblems on the steering wheel, seats and floor mats, a rear spoiler and body kit.

North America

The C30 went on sale in Canada in March 2007 as a 2007 model, and in October 2007 in the United States as a 2008 model.^[3]

In Canada, the 2.4i and T5 are available. In the United States, the only engine available is the T5.^[4] For 2008, the US C30 was sold in two trim lines, Version 1.0 and Version 2.0. For 2009, they were changed to T5 and R-Design, with the latter adding unique badges.

Specifications

An upgraded sound system includes a digital 5×130 watt ICE Power amplifier from Alpine featuring Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, and 10 loudspeakers from Danish Dynaudio.

The 2008 model year brings some minor changes, mostly adapting the interior to the facelifted S40/V50 and including as standard an Aux audio socket.

The 2009 model year changes the rear "VOLVO" badge to "V O L V O" with spaces.

Rear view of the C30.

Engines and transmissions

2010 update

2010 Volvo C30 at the 2010 Montreal International Auto Show.

Volvo introduced a refreshed C30 at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[5] It has a redesigned front end with new headlights, grille, and front body panels. The rest of the body has only minor changes, and the engine and transmission choices remain the same. A new sport chassis is available. Many new interior and exterior color choices have been added, including "Orange Flame Metallic" paint. The updated C30 went on sale in early 2010, as a 2011 model in North America and Australia.

2006 SEMA concepts

Three C30 concepts were unveiled at the 2006 SEMA show^[6]:

• The Evolve C30 show car has a twin turbo engine, all wheel drive, suspension from Evolve's 2004 S40 concept from the 2004 SEMA show, and 14-piston brake calipers.
• The IPD C30 SEMA concept has a supercharged 5-cylinder engine with 6 psi (0.4 bar) of boost, a nitrous tank, gull wing doors, and Alcantara seats.
• The Volvo HS3 Thor Concept was built by Heico Sportiv. It includes a 2.5L turbo engine (B5254T) rated 300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp) and 420 N·m (310 lb·ft), Haldex AWD, Heico Volution V 8x18-in sport-alloy wheels with Toyo tires, and 4-caliper disk brakes with 320 mm (12.6 in) front rotors.^[7]

A side view of a SEMA concept.

Detail on the nitrous tanks.

Volvo ReCharge concept

The ReCharge concept is a plug-in hybrid electric version of C30, developed by Volvo's California development center. It was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[8][9] It features a 4-cylinder 1.6L flex-fuel engine and an electric motor on each wheel. It has an estimated battery range of 100 kilometres (62 mi). The batteries have 3 hours of full recharge time. The car has a top speed of 160 km/h (99 mph).

Electric version

Volvo first presented a driveable electric C30 prototype in September 2009. An updated prototype was shown at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.^[10] Volvo plans to build a test fleet of at least 50 electric C30s in 2011.^[11]

The electric C30 will have a lithium-ion battery, and no gears. Top speed is estimated by Volvo at 130 km/h (81 mph), with acceleration from 0–60 mph in under 11 seconds. Its range will be up to 150 kilometres (93 mi).

Safety

The C30 continues Volvo's marketing strategy to put safety as a primary concern. This is demonstrated^{[original research?]} through some recently developed safety features, including a method of overcoming the "blind spots" in the driver's view to the rear through a system known as BLIS (Blind Spot Information System).

The C30 also features a four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), traction control system and front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear crumple zones, and a stiff occupant cell.^[12]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Volvo C30 their Top Safety Pick award. The C30 was granted the IIHS's highest rating of "good" in front, side, rear and roof strength tests and has Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment to receive the award.

The Volvo C30 has a patented front and rear structure using four different grades of steel to absorb and redistribute impact energy around the body of the coupe. Volvo's Whiplash Protection System and Side Impact Protection System with side airbags and Inflatable Curtain are also standard.^[13] The seat belts have pretensioners to protect the occupants against unexpected accidents.^[14]

The car also uses Volvo's Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) which continuously monitors the car's preemptive systems such as steering wheel angle, pedal depressions, and overall factors that help the vehicle's computer to decide if the driver is busy or distracted merging or turning, and will then accordingly delay certain data or alerts that are unimportant.^[15]

The C30 has been criticized because in an effort to make it more responsive in curves it has become unreliable on ice or snow where the rear end can easily lose its grip.^[16]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Volvo C30

• Official international Volvo C30 site
• Volvo C30 Dedicated Forum