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Volvo and cool; two words you don't often hear together in the same sentence. But things are changing in Volvo-land, and the introduction of the 2008 Volvo C30 is set to transform the Scandinavia automaker's image from "safe and reliable" to "hip and sporty."
With the 2008 C30, Volvo has produced a small, high-tech, and above all, "hip" car that is calculated to please the all important 20 to 30 something demographic.
The 2008 C30 is officially the smallest car to be produced by Volvo. A sporty 2-door, this hatchback signals a major direction shift, while maintaining the Volvo legacy of producing safe and reliable vehicles.
The exterior of the 2008 C30 emphasizes sleek, modern styling. While 17-inch alloy wheels and flared fenders suggest this is a Volvo your teen would not be embarrassed to be seen in.
But perhaps the most attractive design feature is the rear hatch, flanked by large, and decidedly, un-Volvo-like tail lights, with a stylish dual chrome exhaust system completing the image.
Interior seating is compact, yet the rear seats can still handle 6-foot passengers in comfort. And the large, beveled doors make getting in and out of the C30 easy.
Of course, to really make an impression of the younger demographic, the 2008 Volvo C30 had to include a quality audio system. The standard system is 160-watts, boasting 6 speakers. Buyers opting for the high-end option receive an floor-rumbling Alpine 650-watt stereo system, with no less than 10 high-end speakers, Dolby Pro-Logic II and Surround Sound. Both systems include an "aux" jack to facilitate an MP3 player.
The 2008 Volvo C30 has only one engine option available at this time (not surprising for an import). But Volvo's turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine will do nicely, thank you.
With quick acceleration and a smooth transmission, the C30 is quietly powerful, but should you decide to really push it, you'll find an impressive amount of power from this Euro hatchback. And both 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions are available.
As with any Volvo, the 2008 C30 takes safety seriously. Not surprisingly, innovative safety features like the Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) come standard. BLIS uses bottom-mounted cameras to alert the driver when a vehicle comes into the C30's blind spot. Other safety features, include ABS, and the C30's Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA) leave no doubt about the Scandinavian heritage of this car. And being a Volvo, it goes without saying that front and side airbags, (SID) Side Impact Protection, and other safety features come standard on the 2008 Volvo C30.
There are two versions of the 2008 C30 to be sold in the U.S. Both versions are factory equipped with the same safety equipment, turbocharged engine and 6-speed manual transmission.
The 1.0 model includes power windows and locks, sporty 17-inch wheels (alloy), chrome exhaust and a keyless entry system, with a base price just north of $22,000.
Version 2.0 includes the top-end Alpine audio system, over-sized 18-inch alloy wheels, and an even larger spoiler and exhaust pipes, all at a base price just over $25,000
With great looks, a pumping high-end audio system and a powerful turbocharged engine, the 2008 Volvo C30 has achieved something quite remarkable: a cool and sporty Volvo. Oh…and it's a Volvo so you know it's safe.