2008 Volvo C30
DriverSide OverviewWhen people think of a typical “hot hatch," images of a select few automotive icons like the
Volkswagen GTI or John Cooper Works
Mini Cooper S will likely pop up in their heads. But one moniker that certainly won’t make itself present is Volvo – that is, until now. The
2008 Volvo C30 will change the way you think about Volvos, hatchbacks, automotive styling and the country of Sweden in general. The C30 does away with typical conservative Volvo styling, sporting a distinctive and aggressive character that carries over into the driving experience. Volvo is offering two separate packages for the C30, the base-model version 1.0 and the more aggressively styled and sport-tuned version 2.0, so that both the everyday driver and the enthusiast alike can find something to fit their needs.
What's to Like
The C30 is an unmistakable car with a modern style of its own. The five-cylinder turbo engine has ample power for such a small car, while the steering and suspension deliver excellent driving dynamics. Backseat room isn’t severely limited, making it feel more like a coupe than a hatchback.
What's Not to Like
While it starts at a low, competitive premium hatch price, the C30 can get expensive, quickly. While it is a fun car to drive, it doesn’t have the pure enthusiast driving orientation some of its competitors have.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The C30 delivers a well-behaved, sophisticated ride around town, using its turbo-aided torque delivery to move it along briskly and with relative ease. There are two sides to the C30 however, and when it’s time to have fun, the C30 is more than willing. The buzzy five-cylinder engine gets all its torque at an extremely low 1,500 rpm and, while power delivery is linear, smooth and predictable, it is also increasingly potent as the needle approaches the redline. The steering is direct and exhibits minute amounts of understeer at worst, while the gearshift in the six-speed manual is light and precise. Our only complaint would be the relatively high engagement point of the clutch, an issue likely to relieve itself once the clutch has been broken in.
Engine and Drivetrain
While the C30 may be a bold, new move for Volvo, the power plant remains the company’s tried and true 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline-five cylinder, which produces 227 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine drives the front-wheels through either a standard six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode.
Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
The options list is perhaps the Achilles Heel of the C30 because, while base price is reasonable and competitive, the C30 suffers from an acute case of “MCS" or Mini Cooper Syndrome, in that there are simply too many desirable options boxes to tick. Simple items such as highly reflective metallic paint, aggressive 17-inch wheels, plush leather seats, moonroof, an automatic transmission and satellite navigation conspire to quickly raise the price of the C30 north of the $30,000 barrier, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. C30 options include everything from a Swedish Flag on the roof to rear park assist, and they add up quick.
Key Technology Evaluation
The name of the game at Volvo is and always has been safety, and the C30 comes standard with a host of safety features including antilock brakes, plenty of airbags and Volvo’s Dynamic Stability Traction Control system, which can be switched off if the driver chooses. Fitting to the C30’s next-gen design, a high-performance 8-speaker audio system with CD, MP3 and auxiliary inputs, also comes standard.
Green Evaluation/Gas Mileage
The ULEV-II C30’s inline-five manages to return respectable fuel economy for a hatchback, but nothing phenomenal. The manual achieves 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The automatic uses just as much gas around the city while on the highway its lack of a sixth ratio results in a slightly lower 27 mpg.
A Closer Look: Vehicle Details
InteriorThe centerpiece of the C30, like its bigger
S40 and
S80 brothers, is the ‘floating’ center console, which leaves an empty space between the control panel and the forward dash. The seats offer good support and the leather items are up to usually high Volvo standards. The steering wheel, which includes built-in audio controls standard, is well sized and placed.
Exterior
The C30’s design harkens back to the 1972-1973 Bertone-penned P1800ES of the early-1970’s and begins with a long hood and blackened headlight surrounds and ends with a glass-only hatch gate, giving the car an aggressively fresh yet classy look. For a racier stance, opt for the version 2.0 which adds 18-inch rims, a rear spoiler and two-tone side skirts and fascias.
Market Segment and PricingPricing, which begins at $22,950, puts the C30 on par with its most obvious rivals, the
Volkswagen GTI and the
Audi A3. Again, the problem here is the plethora of enticing options which can quickly see the price reach into the $30,000 range. If you can contain your desires on the options sheet, the C30 offers a lot of well-engineered car for a relatively low price.
What We Think
The 2008 Volvo C30 has a personality all to itself and it’s hard not to let it win you over. Unique design, sophistication and performance in even doses rarely come in packages this small and – if you’re considering a European hatch – the C30 will prove difficult to avoid.