The XC60 is a new model from Volvo, a crossover that seats five people and has plenty of cargo room. The XC60′s rounded edges and sporty style make it clear that the car was designed from the ground up to be a crossover, with no SUV DNA apparent. In fact, with its low nose, it owes some of its style to Volvo wagons. Volvo made the ascendancy to a premium brand over the last few decades, and luxury elements show in the XC60′s interior, as well as its price.

Navigation interface
A panoramic sunroof contributes to an airy feeling in the cabin of the XC60, as does the floating console, inlaid with blond wood, a recent Volvo signature piece. There is a nice attention to design in the cabin that even extends to the climate controls, with fan buttons in the silhouette of a seated person. But the inclusion of a navigation system seems to have baffled Volvo designers, as its interface is the most bizarre in the industry.

Volvo suffers from the same problem other automakers have faced: how to integrate an optional navigation system with the rest of the car’s electronics. Volvo takes the easy route by not integrating it at all. A colorful LCD shows route guidance and maps with live traffic, while a monochrome display on top of the dashboard shows audio and phone information.

This remote control comes with the navigation system, letting passengers enter destinations.

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After getting into the car, we fumbled around with the buttons on the stack, trying to control the navigation system. After some fruitless minutes, we felt a set of controls on the back of the steering wheel’s right spoke, consisting of two buttons and a joystick. Although we couldn’t see these controls, they are simple enough that we quickly learned how to enter destinations and manipulate the navigation system’s map. Volvo also provides a remote control with similar buttons so that passengers can also work with the navigation system.

Getting underway, we were pleased to see traffic flow and incident information displayed on the map. Some digging around in the navigation settings revealed an option to automatically avoid traffic problems, but only when under route guidance. Because of this feature, we found it a good idea to make use of the navigation system even for familiar destinations. Under route guidance, the system shows good graphics for upcoming turns, but doesn’t read out street names.

Turbocharged motivation
A turbocharged 3-liter inline direct injection six-cylinder engine turning all four wheels through a six-speed-automatic transmission motivated our XC60. The car is also available with a naturally aspirated 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine. Given the size of the vehicle and the nature of the power train, we didn’t expect much engagement with the driving experience. Similar to the Mercedes-Benz GLK350 we tested, the XC60 provides an almost boring driving experience. Just push the gas and it goes. But for this type of family wagon, that’s not a bad thing.

Impressively, the XC60 displays no turbo lag, although the automatic transmission can take a moment to downshift when some quick speed is needed. With 281 horsepower and a big 295 pound-feet of torque, we never found the XC60 wanting for push. The transmission includes a manual mode, but automatic mode found the right gears often enough.

On city streets, its nimble handling made quick maneuvers easy. Although our test car wasn’t equipped with it, Volvo makes an excellent blind spot warning system available for the XC60. This system turns on a warning light if another car is in the XC60′s blind spot on either side, a real help in city and freeway traffic. The XC60′s signature safety feature, City Safety, comes standard on the car. We didn’t run into any inadvertent tests of this feature, but earlier experienced it under controlled conditions.

Volvo C70

The Volvo C70 is actually two attractive cars in one. It is as much a sporty coupe as it is a elegant convertible. Above all, however, the Volvo C70 is a car to enjoy.

“The Volvo C70 has classic convertible lines and a strong identity of its own,” explains Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars. “We’ve carefully redesigned the front and rear with a more aggressive presence that more closely mimics the new XC60. Inside, we’ve upgraded the materials to enhance the C70′s atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car,”

Modern, self-assured front end

With its new front clip, the Volvo C70 reveals traces of the S60 Concept Car that was unveiled in early 2009. The C70 not relates more closely to the design language of the larger cars in the Volvo model range

Bodywork details such as the front fender have also been redesigned, contributing to the decidedly altered appearance. The nose is more wedge-shaped and has been given added three-dimensional depth by moving some elements of the front both longitudinally and vertically. The new headlamps and the décor around the foglamps, for instance, have been angled offset up and to the rear, at the same time as the detailing of the lower grille has been enhanced.

From head-on, the front forms an open, inviting “V.” The enlarged iron mark and the new, larger air intake reinforce the self-assured stance. Flamenco Red Pearl is a new paint making its brilliant debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

Exclusive new rear design

The exclusive high-tech LED lamps, similar to what’s found on the Volvo XC60, are the most noticeable update at the rear. The entire lamp unit is clearly integrated with the oval that frames the new C70′s rear panel.

Like the front end, new lines and details in the bumper and elsewhere have been integrated to emphasise the depth and dynamism of the design language.

Interior that rewards the driver

The interior has been updated in several respects to create a unique ambience in the Volvo C70. The instrument panel has been redesigned, giving it a wider, sleeker look and the surface of the panel has a new texture that enhances the feeling of quality.

The exclusive new instruments, with gauges and graphics specific to the C70, are yet another example of how the car’s premium feel has been enhanced.

“We’ve focused the new interior features around the driver to give the owner a stronger perception of being rewarded behind the wheel. The seats are upholstered in a new type of soft hide and there is even better detail finish to make driving a more pleasurable experience,” continued Talsma.

World-leading safety among convertibles

The new Volvo C70 has been engineered as one of the safest convertibles on the market. The car has an advanced body structure and several solutions that are unique in the world of open-top cars. The lack of a fixed roof has been compensated by structural reinforcements and sophisticated technology.

Roll-over protection

The Volvo C70 has sturdy metal hoops that shoot up behind the rear seat passengers to create added protective survival space should the car roll over. These hoops, which are part of Volvo’s Rollover Protection System – ROPS – are activated by a gyro-sensor. Since the Volvo C70 has a proper glass rear window, the hoops shoot up through the glass if the roof is up. They have therefore been fitted with small hardened metal spikes that break the glass to guarantee proper deployment.

Unique door-mounted inflatable curtain

One important part of the side-impact and rollover protection is the Inflatable Curtain, IC, which is installed in the door since there is no roof rail to utilize. The curtain has an extra-stiff design featuring twin rows of offset panels. As a result, the curtain can remain upright and help protect the head even if the window is open. Additionally, the curtain deflates slowly, helping to provide added protection in the event of a roll over situation.

Side-impact airbags and safety belt pre-tensioners for all seats

In addition to the inflatable curtains on either side, the front seat occupants also have side-impact airbags. The size of these bags shield the chest and hips. What is more, the inflatable curtain interacts with the belt pre-tensioners to contribute to the best possible protection for front seat occupants in a side impact or rollover situation. All four seats come with safety belt pre-tensioners.

Elegant three-piece steel roof

The Volvo C70 transforms smoothly from a stylish coupe into an open convertible in about 30 seconds. Just press a button and the three-piece steel roof folds quickly and silently away, disappearing neatly into the trunk.

Facts about the roof of the Volvo C70:

• The car has to be at a standstill when the roof is raised or lowered
• The car only needs about 6 feet of free vertical space when the roof is raised or lowered
• There is no need for extra space behind the car while the roof is being raised or lowered
• The roof takes about 30 seconds to open/shut (irrespective of climate)
• An electric motor, hydraulic pump and computer are used to open and close the roof
• The trunk lid has two opening modes: for handling of the roof or to provide access to the luggage compartment
• The roof is divided into three sections
• The roof panels are made of steel
• The seams between the sections are sealed with rubber
• The side windows slide up against the roof rail after the roof closes.
• The trunk lid is made of aluminium and steel
• The body’s torsional rigidity improves by about 15 percent when the roof is raised

Engine information

Engine Power output Fuel consumption

T5 227 hp/236 lb.-ft. 20 mpg city/28 highway (manual)

Volvo C30

The C30 is Volvo’s most playful and spontaneous car model. It appeals to customers who spend most of their time in the city environment and who impose considerable demands on the car’s design, driving properties and personality. The Volvo C30 can be configured in an almost unlimited range of variants thanks to a wide selection of drivelines, design details and equipment levels. And the new C30, which makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, offers even more choice than before.

“Since its introduction in 2006, the Volvo C30 has become highly appreciated for its unique appearance. This applies in particular to the rear. With the new front, it feels as though everything has fallen neatly into place and that the car’s entire personality has been boosted to an entirely new level,” says Daniel Backman, Product Manager for the new Volvo C30.

The new exterior is also a better match for the way the C30 drives – challenging, direct and with a whole lot of attitude.” continues Daniel Backman.

Major exterior changes

The renewal of the Volvo C30 is more comprehensive than is usually the case with Volvo’s models. The entire front has been redesigned, including body panels such as the front wings. This gives the car a radical new appearance from the front, carving out a distinctive personality which clearly separates the new C30 from the Volvo S40 and V50.

“By integrating greater depth into the design language, the front has become more dramatic and expressive. Along with the angled lines of the front bumper, the new headlamps, drawn offset and up, reinforce the impression of speed and sportiness,” says Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.

In the middle of the front is the new, larger iron mark just as in the rest of the Volvo range. The air intake has also grown in size and resembles the intake in the XC60. The grille has a new pattern used solely on the C30.

“The fact that the C30 has enhanced its visual volume and self-confidence is entirely in line with Volvo Cars’ design strategy. At the same time, the C30 has a one of a kind expression. The new honeycomb grille, for instance, means it takes just a quick glance in the rear-view mirror to see that the car filling your view is the new Volvo C30,” continues Fedde Talsma.

Although the biggest design changes have taken place at the front, the rear also sports the same deep new lines and detailing. The contours are wavier and more dynamic than before. The black plastic panels have been replaced with more body colour lower down, in the same or a contrasting colour, to forge a closer visual contact between the car and the road surface.

The other new exterior features:

Elegant and trendy new body colour, Orange Flame Metallic

Visible exhaust tailpipe in the T5 and D5 models

Two new wheel options – and for the first time, white wheels are available!

The option to choose five different colours on the lower trim – the C30 Contrast Colour Collection.

Matching interior updates

The new Volvo C30 also offers a range of new interior options. Among other things, there is now an all-new colour combination known as Espresso/Blond, consisting of a dark brown upper section and a blond, fresh shade on the lower door sides. The blond tone is somewhere between grey and beige and is an expression of Volvo’s strong Scandinavian design tradition. The Espresso/Blond interior permits the integration of energetic new highlight colours such as orange, green and blue in the fabrics, as well as a new colour for leather upholster, Cranberry.

“We know that a large proportion, almost half, of all C30 customers make detailed interior choices. They want to decide for themselves what their car should look like and are not interested in readymade packages. The new C30 gives them a range of fresh, modern style cues in terms of both colour and fabric to choose between,” explains Maria Uggla, Program Chief Designer Colour & Trim at Volvo Cars.

“We have also focused on making it easier for customers to match exterior design elements with interior trim in an attractive way, something that has been made that much easier with the new Espresso/Blond colour combination,” continues Maria Uggla.

Yet another new feature is the luggage compartment cover in the rear, which uses a new material and a new graphic pattern to further enhance the car’s modern image.

New centre stack – Oyster Burst Déco

Volvo’s special centre stack is already available in a range of innovative variants. Now another new option is being added, Oyster Burst Déco. Volvo’s design team was inspired by the surface texture of the classic Swedish Hagström guitars that enjoyed world renown in the hands of stars such as Elvis Presley back in the 1950s. Hagström used the word “burst” in many of its model names and gave their guitars a pattern that shifted subtly from light to dark and back again. Just like in the new centre stack of the Volvo C30.

New expressive accessory styling kit

The Volvo C30 also meets the wishes of buyers with a broader car design interest. A youthful new accessory styling kit with a bolder, less polished style gives the C30 even more attitude. The kit includes foglamp décor, a front skidplate, side scuff plates with engraved C30 logo and a rear skidplate with a stylish aluminium look. For D5 and T5 two 90 mm tail pipes in polished stainless steel are added to underline the powerful engine.

The exterior detailing is complemented by a dramatic interior where the pattern of the floor mats forms a world map. The aluminium centre stack, including inner door handles, is inspired by an ancient nautical chart and a sea adventure map. Its pattern shows longitude and latitude lines as well as dashed direction lines to further emphasise the explorer theme.

New sport chassis with excellent characteristics

The new optional sport chassis for the Volvo C30 is considerably sharper, with stiffer, more distinct properties than previously. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings. The steering ratio is lower, giving 10 % faster response to steering wheel input. Spring stiffness has been increased by no less than 30 % in order to increase the car’s poise in enthusiastic driving. The dampers too are stiffer and are now of the exclusive mono-tube type that builds up pressure much more quickly. The roll stabilizers are stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when taking corners. The new sport chassis is available in all C30 versions except for 1.6D DRIVe.

Drivelines – considerable freedom of choice here too

The Volvo C30′s sporty chassis and steering can be combined with a particularly wide range of drivelines covering the full spectrum of needs from sparkling acceleration and performance to diesel engines with class-leading low fuel consumption and environmental impact.

C30 DRIVe with start/stop function

As of spring 2009, the Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe is available with an advanced start/stop function that switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill, for instance at traffic lights or in a traffic queue. This cuts fuel consumption to as little as 3.9 l/100 km while carbon dioxide emissions are just 104 g CO₂/km, the lowest in this segment.

Engine range, Volvo C30

The figures below are for versions with a manual gearbox running in the mixed driving cycle.

Engine facts in brief:

All the engines are extremely compact and installed transversely in the engine bay for the best possible safety and maximum cabin space.  Turbo technology is used in the T5 engine and all diesel engines to deliver the best possible performance

A six-speed manual gearbox is available for the T5 engine, D5 and 2.0D

A five-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic is available for the five-cylinder petrol and diesel engines

A six-speed Powershift automatic is available for the 2.0D and 2.0 petrol engines (2.0 petrol only in Asia)

A particle filter is standard on all diesel engines

The 1.6 DRIVe with start/stop function has extremely low fuel consumption, 3.9 litres per 100 km

A few facts: the number of possible combinations, new Volvo C30

The new Volvo C30 is available with a choice of 13 different exterior body colours and with the lower spoilers in five different colours. All told, there is a choice of 49 exterior combinations (previously 13 combinations).

If the 11 different aluminium wheels are added, the customer now has 529 possibilities of creating a unique car

The 27 upholstery choices (previously 15) now make 14,553 combination possibilities.

A choice of 4 decor inlays in the centre stack increases the range of combinations to 58,212.

Being able to specify the car with or without a rear spoiler doubles the number of configurations to 116,424.

The customer can specify a roof hatch – or not. The available variants have now increased to 232,848.

The C30 is available with eleven different drivelines (manual/automatic transmission included), making 2,561,328 possible combinations.  What is more, the Volvo C30 can be equipped with a choice of three different audio systems, a variety of safety and security functions, parking assistance, Bluetooth and so on to suit customer wishes.

All in all, there are so many unique variants that Volvo estimates that if every single person in Britain – about 60 million people – were to order a new Volvo C30, no two cars would have to be alike!