The new Volvo C30 (facelift)


Giannis

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The new Volvo C30 - with a sporty new front and even more choice

The new Volvo C30 steps out and shows the model's full potential and personality. This can be seen in the fresh, self-assured design of the front. And it is emphasized by a wide range of options, including an urbane, bold accessory styling kit.

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.


Petrol engines Power output Fuel consumption CO2
T5 (2.5 litres) 230 hp/320 Nm 8.7 l/100 km 203 g/km
2.4i 170 hp/230 Nm 8.4 l/100 km 200 g/km
2.0 145 hp/185 Nm 7.4 l/100 km 177 g/km
2.0F (Flexifuel) 145 hp/185 Nm 7.8 l/100 km 185 g/km
1.6 100 hp/150 Nm 7.0 l/100 km 167 g/km

Diesel engines Power output Fuel consumption CO2
D5 (2.4 litres) 180 hp/400 Nm 6.2 l/100 km 164 g/km
2.0D 136 hp/320 Nm 5.7 l/100 km 151 g/km
1.6D DRIVe 109 hp/240 Nm 4.5 l/100 km 119 g/km
1.6D DRIVe start/stop 109 hp/240 Nm 3.9 l/100 km 104 g/km

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!

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The front end is changed in the same way the C70 was, harder to tell what has happended rearwards...
 
Looks fresh, but I think I preffered the pre-facelift. The 'sagging' nose doesn't seem to match the rest of the car.
 
Looks fresh, but I think I preffered the pre-facelift. The 'sagging' nose doesn't seem to match the rest of the car.

It is interesting how low they can make the front look, while still complying with the pedestrian safety regulations that makes the fronts of the cars of other manufacturers look very high...
 
Imo, old face was better-looking! However, this one doesn't looks bad either! Typical Volvo styling! :usa7uh:
 
The lower-front-end looks a bit Focus ST-ish doesn't it? It's a decent facelift I guess, but the there is SO much more to be desired from the interior. It's just TOO simple.
 
nice refresh.

i'm just amazed at how dated the side profile looks.
 
Looks OK, a light refresh, nothing too radical just what it needs to keep up. The interior is still boring, but IMO all Volvo interiors are. :D

Did Geely bought Volvo after all?

Not yet. The deal should be done before the year-end.
 
I think I posted it in the wrong section. Mods please move it here:

Volvo
 
New Volvo C30 R-Design with sport chassis of top class

The Volvo C30 R-Design is the nearest thing to a dedicated sports car in the Volvo model range. The new chassis is considerably sharper, with stiffer, more distinct properties. And the exclusive extra equipment gives the C30 R-Design just the right attitude.

The biggest changes in the new Volvo C30 R-Design, which make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, are actually hidden beneath the skin. Despite the car's extrovert body kit and design cues. Because it is the chassis and the steering that have been the main focus of attention. All with the aim of creating a sporty driving experience and a sophisticated feeling of comfort to match the very best.

"The new R-Design chassis builds further on the success of the sport chassis introduced in the Volvo S80 earlier in 2009. Although the actual properties differ between these two car categories, we've had plenty of good experience on which to build further in the Volvo C30," says Stefan Sällqvist, manager Vehicle Dynamics at Volvo Cars.

Significant changes to the sport chassis

In order to meet the high standards, the R-Design chassis has been modified in several areas. 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 has made the C30 R-Design a better-balanced and more agile car. Road contact is more distinct and feedback from the wheels is faster and clearer, promoting a more alert feeling while driving. And that is something that also benefits safety.

"The driver should feel confident that the car will behave exactly as expected. That is an important part of our safety focus when we develop new chassis. This feeling of security also means the driver can fully enjoy the sporty driving characteristics," says Stefan Sällqvist.

Good test results, clear differences

Volvo's chassis experts have put the new R-Design chassis through a regime of intensive tests throughout Europe. On narrow, twisting lanes in England. At high speed on the German autobahn. On icy winter roads in the very north of Scandinavia. And the results are highly gratifying.

"A customer who test-drives the new C30 R-Design will immediately feel the difference. Even before the car has covered fifty metres, the driver will be aware of the crisp steering and the distinct chassis response. We are very pleased with the result and have considerable hope that keen drivers will feel the same way," continues Stefan Sällqvist.

New colour-matched body kit

The most noticeable design change is an all-new body kit featuring a redesigned front and rear. The body kit is painted the same colour as the rest of the body, giving a visual impression that the car has been lowered by much more than the actual 10 mm reduction in ride height. The new C30 R-Design is also equipped with five-spoke Cratus wheels, just like the rest of the R-Design range. The interior is now available with dramatic new black upholstery as an alternative.

C30 R-Design - an overview

The R-Design package allows customers the option of choosing between seven exterior body colours and offers a range of specially designed exterior and interior details.

Exterior:

* R-Design badge in the grille
* Grille and door mirror housings in special silk metal finish
* Body kit with front and rear spoilers, lower door trim moulding and side-skirts colour-matched to the rest of the body
* New 17-inch five-spoke Cratus aluminium wheels (18-inch optional)
* Tailgate spoiler
* Visible chrome-plated sports tailpipes (90 mm)

Interior:

* Upholstery in two colour combinations: cream-coloured leather with sides in dark grey Flex-Tec, or off-black leather with edges in off-black (new)
* Embossed R-Design emblem in the front seats
* R-Design centre stack and panel inserts
* Gear lever knob trimmed in leather and aluminium
* Sports pedals in aluminium, with rubber ribs
* Sports steering wheel trimmed in leather, with R-Design emblem
* Blue speedometer and rev counter gauges
* Textile floor mats with contrasting piping

R-Design attracts new customers
The R-Design sales version has been designed for the discerning younger customer segment that is looking for a personalised car with an exclusive, sporty nature. At the same time, R-Design has become a way for Volvo Cars to boost the company's attractiveness as a brand and to enhance a more emotive connection to its products. And customer surveys show that this strategy is paying off. On some markets, no less than 80 % of all C30 customers choose R-Design. A large proportion of these customers are under 35 years old. More than in any other instance, these are customers who have come from a different car make.

"What has enticed these customers to Volvo are the design and attitude of the R-Design model. In this way, R-Design has helped both increase our sales and bring down the average age of our customer base, both of which are very positive moves," says Lennart Stegland, president of Volvo Special Vehicles.

 

Volvo

Volvo Cars is a Swedish multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles. Founded in 1927, Volvo is headquartered in Torslanda, Gothenburg, Sweden. The company has been owned by the Chinese multinational automotive company Geely since 2010. Volvo also produces electric vehicles under the Polestar brand.
Official websites: Volvo, Polestar

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