- Sporty chassis and powerful engines for dynamic driving
- Comfortable and flexible interior
- World-class audio systems
- Interacting safety solutions for best-in-class safety
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, even in the rear seat. And, as it is a Volvo, its is also developed to be very safe. The objective is to be best in class.
Although the C30 has been designed and built to a compact format, Volvo stayed true to the qualities and solid attributes in its larger models. “It was important to retain the right appearance and feeling of quality, not only on a tactile level, but also regarding its dynamic behaviour on the road,” says Michelle Naudé, marketing manager of Volvo Car South Africa. “Volvo Cars’ engineers intended to build a car that would 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. 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 the fun to drive character of the car. High level of body control and precise response are key properties. A lowered sport chassis is available as an option.
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) is standard equipment in the flagship C30 T5 derivative, while the two-litre C30 comes with Stability and Traction Control. Steering is electro-hydraulic, with a distinct and controlled steering feel.
Compact, efficient engines
The Volvo C30 is launched in three versions, with a choice of three gearboxes in combination with two engines, The range is as follows:
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Volvo C30 2.0 (manual) R215 000
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Volvo C30 T5 (manual) R265 000
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Volvo C30 T5 (Geartronic) R275 000
The Volvo C30 is launched with two petrol engines – a 107 kW, 185 Nm four cylinder naturally aspirated engine and a 162 kW, 320 Nm turbocharged five-cylinder. As with all Volvo’s the engines are extremely compact and transversely mounted.
The Volvo C30 drive is very responsive, with willing acceleration. Both engines have four-valve technology and double overhead camshafts, which contribute to the quick response and good high-speed characteristics. The C30 T5’s engine, has very high and even torque from low to high engine speeds with its maximum of 320 Nm available from 1 500 to 4 800 rpm.
A six-speed manual gearbox is used with the T5, which is also available with a five-speed Geartronic gearbox. The engine in the two-litre C30 is paired with a five-speed manual gearbox.
The perky two-litre engine in the C30 2.0 delivers its power smoothly, and reaches an impressive fuel economy figure of 7,3 litres per 100 km in a combined test cycle (urban and rural roads). It accelerates in 9,4 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and reaches an exciting top speed of 210 km/h.
Volvo’s turbocharged 2,5 litre performance engine propels the C30 T5 from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,7 seconds for the manual version, and 7,1 seconds in the Geartronic. It is capable of reaching top speeds of alternatively 240 and 235 km/h. Fuel consumption was measured at 8,7 litres per 100 km (manual) and 9,4 litres per 100 km for the Geartronic version.
Engine facts in brief:
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All engines are extremely compact and transversely mounted in the engine bay to offer the best possible safety and cabin space;
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Turbo technology is used on the T5 engine and to provide the best possible performance;
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A six-speed manual gearbox with an accurate and secure shift is used with the T5 engines; and
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A five-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox is available with the five-cylinder petrol engines;
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 is purposefully designed 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 and 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.
World-class audio with deep bass and an extra connector
“Through the years Volvo has developed a reputation for its outstanding sound systems, and for the C30 one of the best factory-fitted audio systems in the world was chosen,” says Deon Sonnekus, media affairs coordinator of Volvo Car South Africa. The special body, with wide doors and deep side panels in the rear, provide an extra dimension for the sound, with extreme depth and powerful bass reproduction.
There are three audio system levels to choose from:
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Performance – with a 4 x 20W amplifier and four loudspeakers;
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High Performance – with a 4 x 40W amplifier and eight loudspeakers; and
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Premium Sound – with a digital class D amplifier with ICE Power technology from Alpine, an output of 5 x 130W, Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround, and ten loudspeakers from Danish Dynaudio®.
On the two highest levels, High Performance and Premium Sound, it is possible to play CDs with music in MP3 and WMA formats. This means that the CD changer can store hundreds of music tracks.
In addition, the High Performance and Premium Sound systems are fitted with an extra ”AUX” connector for connecting auxiliary equipment such as a portable MP3 player or an iPod.
An adapter for connecting an iPod or a USB flash drive will also be available as an accessory. With the Volvo USB/iPod Music Player, it is easy to connect ones own music player and to control it with the car’s controls, which contributes to increased safety and convenience. Information is shown in the audio system’s display.
Sleek body design for good all-round view
The Volvo C30 is fun and stimulating to drive, a result of its well-controlled body motions, quick steering response and predictable behaviour. This means that it is easy to control, even in unexpected situations, which 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, even at an angle rearward. The tapered B-pillars also contribute to the good visibility, offering 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. An amber light near the mirror illuminates to alert the driver when necessary.
No compromise on safety despite C30’s compact dimensions
Although the C30 is 22 cm shorter than the S40 model, it has the same safety levels as its sedan sibling, even with respect to rear impacts. The body structure is designed in the same way to contribute to controlled deformation, and the inner protective systems are similar.
The front’s 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 manner. The lower side members are designed to prevent the front wheels from being forced into the cabin in a collision.
More safety facts in brief
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The engine is transversely mounted and very efficiently packed to have room for movement in the engine bay when the front is deformed;
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Dual-stage airbags, safety belt tensioners for all four seats, force limiters on the front belts and collapsible pedals help protect the occupants of the car in a frontal collision;
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SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), side impact airbags, and IC (Inflatable curtains) contribute to effective protection in side impacts;
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WHIPS (Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System) is standard on the front seats, and contributes to reducing the risk of neck injuries in an impact from the rear;
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Cross members, sills, and door pillars are very solidly constructed to keep the cabin as intact as possible in a collision;
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The gently rounded front and the deep spoiler are designed to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists; and
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The Advanced Brake System (ABS) together with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and DSTC and STC forms part of the active safety systems that prevents accidents and keeps the C30 in control, even in the most difficult conditions.
