C70 coupe/convertible test drive

[Deutsch]

So today I went to my local Volvo dealer to get my oil changed in the service dept. Prior to they made a phone call to my house to inform of the special-low cost oil change they had going on and that the new C70 would be available for viewing and driving.

I pulled up today and outside was a Red/Grey C70 fully optioned out, including the surreal dyaudio surround sound system. Upon intial viewing of first pics on the web, I really didn't think I'd find this car too impressive, due mainly to the fact it shared the same front end design with the C1 S40. In person, while there is an uncanny family resemblence, this car is really it's own entity in every imaginable way. Once you glance over the suductive double shoulder line on to the trunk, seeing the car in it's entirety you realize you're looking at something special. The hood, though short, is perfectly complimented by a low and sportily designed windshield. Flared wheel arches add to the serious and masculine look of the car as does the long trunk, which to my suprise works very well for this car. Top up or down it looks great.
Step into the interior and seat yourself in the typical Volvo-orthepedically designed seats and the typical Volvo seating comfort is very much there. All switchgear and panels and surfaces come from the highest grade and are engineered w/ the greatest of ingenuity- everything is where it should be. There is an I-Pod hook up left of the steering wheel for easy to reach accesibility, though I doubt I or anyone else would be involved in such atrocious behavior while driving. That's something they'll obviously have to work out in time. Watching the trick roof convert the car from either luxurious and exteremely sexy coupe or convertible is a thing to behold. I wouldn't be suprised to hear of owners who flipped the roof back and fourth just for the effect of it all.

Flip the electronic key in the ignition and start her up. The engine speaks softly, and when pushed, carries a nice medium sized stick. But before the drive we put the roof up to get the most of this experience on a cloudy day. Roof up the car is dead quiet, not a peep not a stir, and neither can anything be felt whatsoever. This car is so solid you might be fooled if you had started to drive it not knowing it's a true CC. Driving into corners is no problem at all, it's actually quite satisfying expecting a car of this size and weight to carry you through the twisty bits in such calmness and collectivity. The chassis engineers ought to pat themselves on the back, they really pulled a hat trick w/ this one. On the freeway passing isn't an issue and turbo lag in non exsistent. The engine is powerful, but this car could easily use more power and AWD, such a setup I believe would only add to the cars hard sex appeal, but also add a driver appeal. Acceleration comes in quick enough just the same with the turbocharged inline five pumping out 218hp and 235 lb. ft. of torque.

For most who intend on purchasing this car will be quite satisfied with the overall package. It's not a car intended to fulfill the desires of hard core boy racers, but for the more civilized of us who want a quality package and comftarble driving expereince. All at the same time, this car has much more potential than Volvo has exploited in the cars current state. A 3.5 out of five stars, which realy isn't bad. A bigger and more responsive engine and AWD and this car will really top the lists if it doesn't already.

 

[Giannis]

thanks Deutsch. nice review. So you liked it right? I saw the car once at Athens International Motor Show. It was a light blue one with white leather inside. All i can say is that the car is unique.
But these days i don't have time to go check it. I don't know even if it has come to the local dealer.

It sounds like you had some fun...

 

[Deutsch]

The car is hella expensive, the one I drove was upwards of $45k. I think they'd have even more of a winner w/ a more powerful engine and AWD. Hopefully they'll upgrade the transmission to another gear, that would increase driver appeal as well. Volvo needs to be more compeititve IMO, but this car is a nice and great effort, and fun to throw the chassis around in corners, reacts quite nicely.

 

[Michael]

What is so funny Deutsch is that I was looking at the C70 today online. I really like the car but for some reason find it a little bit expensive. Maybe I shouldn't be saying that but I think that if Volvo would've made the car slightly and I mean slightly cheaper than what it is right now, it would definitely be a keeper.

The fact that it doesn't come with AWD and a more powerful engines makes me think that what I would like in the price is a justifiable request. Nevertheless, it is a hard top convertible which we have come to only see in SLK, and SL models. So kudos to Volvo for making a wonderful car.

 

[Centurion]

I have seen the car several times and I'm not that satisfied with the proportions of the car but yet again there is no four seater CC car out there with perfect proportions. I have driven Volvo V50(estate version) and wasn't too thrilled about the ride. I pictures this car being more a sensible choice for the ones who live in countries with bad weather but would still like to shine in a convertible during the summer.

If ones lives in an area with hardly any snow fall there are other choices such as a 3er or a CLK convertible. Other than that the C70 seem to be a car which does everything good but not briliant. Bottom line it is an all-arounder.

 

[Deutsch]

Wonderful it truly is.

Volvo owners are actually of a very different mindset than a BMW or MB owner. They buy a Volvo for not only safety but durability, which means it's a purchase you make w/ your head and not your heart. That's not to knock BMW or MB owners either, that's just the way it is, not even so much a generalization at all. The pricing on most Volvo's is just right for what you get, but even sweeter as a second hand buy since most cars(bar the XC90) seem to take a nice hit in depreciation after the first year, but something tells me that residuals for the C70 will be quite high, even after several years. The car has a character and quality unmatched. It's not overtly sporty, not overtly geared towards being sedate either. It's a contradiction of things, a story only Volvo could write. Volvo's truly are cars for life.

 

[MikeJ]

Here's how Swedish car journalists test the C70:


Article (in Swedish)

It says he drove the car to Ivalo in Northern Finland and back (a total of 3100 km), most of it with the top down.

 

[LaArtist]

I hate robert collin..haha look at him.. looks like a damn fool..haha

 

[Centurion]

I hate him too and he hates MB.

For you who don't know he is the journalist who, in 1997 drove the A-class that flipped over. Ever since then he has had a beef with MB.

 

[LaArtist]

yeah he is retarded.. he once had a test S80 ´vs S class..
verdict the S80 is better in slippery conditions..
IDIOT

 

[Zonda]

I like the C70.
I also think it should have more power(despite that I haven't driven it), but with FWD that is pretty unlikely. RWD would ad alot to the driving experience I think. But still that is very unlikely.