The new Volvo C30 is the smallest and most expressive car in Volvo’s model range. With a compact and solid body, sporty chassis, and powerful engines, it offers 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, not least in the rear seat.
And like all of the other Volvo models, the C30 has been developed to be a very safe car. The objective is: best in class!
“The compact format 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, but just as much to how it is to drive and use. Our intention is that the Volvo C30 should attract people who love driving.”
Manoeuvrable and sporty to drive
Thanks to its small size and well thought out design, the Volvo C30 is very nimble to handle, even in limited space. Otherwise, it is built according to the same principles as the other Volvo cars. A compact and solid body, a generous track width, 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 enhance fun to drive. High level of body control and precise response are key properties. A lowered sport chassis is available as an option.
DSTC, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, is standard in most markets. Steering is electro-hydraulic (hydraulic for the 1.6-litre petrol), with a distinct and controlled steering feel.
The range of options for the Volvo C30 includes a number of alloy wheels in sizes from 15 to 18 inches.
Wide range of efficient engines
The Volvo C30 can be fitted with four and five-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, from 1.6 to 2.5 litres.
“Thanks to the sporty chassis and the car’s weight (curb weight 1204-1404 kg), it is very sporty, even with the 1.6-litre engines,” says Håkan Abrahamsson. “And the range of engines will meet all customers’ demands.”
All engines have four-valve technology and double overhead camshafts, which contribute to the quick response and good high-speed characteristics. The most powerful petrol engine (T5) is turbo charged, and has very high and even torque from low to high engine speeds (320 Nm from 1500 to 4800 rpm). This makes the Volvo C30 very responsive, with willing acceleration.
Range of engines
Petrol engines Configuration Output kW/hp Torque Nm
T5 (2.5 litres) In-line 5-cyl. 162/220 320
turbo
2.4i In-line 5-cyl. 125/170 230
2.0 In-line 4-cyl. 107/145 185
1.8 In-line 4-cyl. 92/125 165
1.8 Flexifuel In-line 4-cyl. 92/125 165
(Sweden)
1.6 In-line 4-cyl. 74/100 150
Diesel engines
D5 (2.4 litre) In-line 5-cyl.132/180 350
turbo
D5 In-line 5-cyl. 120/163 340
(Belgium only) turbo
2.0D In-line 4-cyl. 100/136 320
turbo
1.6D In-line 4-cyl. 80/109 240
turbo
Smart functions offer great comfort and flexibility
Despite its compact format, the Volvo C30 is capable of offering very comfortable and flexible interior space with a surprising big-car feel. The car offers place for four adults. The front seats are ergonomically designed and offer a correct and relaxing seating position. 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 seat has two separate seats and a foldable armrest is available for enhanced comfort. The seats are positioned somewhat towards the centre of the car to provide space and a good forward view. This also provides space for storage in the side panels. Furthermore the centred position of the rear seats facilitates communication with the front seat occupants.
The rear seat backrests are individually foldable. 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 are available: a soft and a hard version.
Air conditioning and air quality system for a pleasant cabin climate
To provide a pleasant cabin climate, air conditioning and a pollen filter are standard in the Volvo C30. Alternatively the car can be specified with ECC (Electronic Climate Control), which is completely automatically controlled and the chosen cabin temperature is kept constant regardless of the outside temperature. Furthermore, it is possible to set the temperature individually for the right and left sides.
The ECC system can be supplemented by IAQS (Interior Air Quality System), which continuously monitors the carbon monoxide level of the incoming air and closes the air vents when the level is too high, for the in-cabin climate comfort and health of the occupants of the car. The system also includes an active charcoal filter to prevent dust, exhaust particles, pollen and unpleasant odours from entering the cabin through the ventilation system at any time.
Sleek body design for good all-round view
“The fact that the Volvo C30 is fun and stimulating to drive is a result of its well controlled body motions, quick steering response and predictable behaviour,” says Håkan Abrahamsson. “This means that it is easy to control, even in unexpected situations, which thereby contributes to safer driving.”
In addition to the predictable driving characteristics, an unobstructed view is very important to preventive safety.
The Volvo C30’s special design, with the side windows at the right height, creates a panoramic view from all seats. The inwardly curving rear side windows and the unique glass tailgate provide a very good rear view, not least at an angle rearward. The tapered B-pillars also contribute, which offer a clear view between the side of the body and the head restraint. This also gives the rear seat passengers a good view through the front side windows.
Advanced information systems offer good driver control
To make it easier for the driver to detect other vehicles in the blind spot at the side of the car, the Volvo C30 can be fitted with BLIS (Blind Spot Information System). This system, which is an option, uses cameras mounted in the side door mirrors to register if another vehicle is in the blind spot. If this is the case, a lamp near the mirror illuminates to alert the driver in order to increase the possibility that correct decisions are taken.
To help reduce the risk of the driver being distracted by untimely information in critical situations, IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System) 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. This information is processed and at a certain level, information that is not crucial to safety, such as text messages or incoming calls to the integrated telephone, is delayed until the situation is less busy for the driver.
If the driver prefers, IDIS can be set up to let GSM calls through in all driving situations. This is done in the car’s menu settings.