One of the more readily identifiable aspects of his style is his choice of automobile. The Volvo C30 is a milestone for the Swedish car company, a compact hatchback that represents their first attempt to connect with the youth market that had so far ignored them in favor of other European marques such as BMW or Audi. From first glance, it is immediately apparent that Volvo has done their best to hide their stodgy design past by making the C30 as streamlined and aggressive-looking as some of the hottest hatches sold by their competitors. The front end of the vehicle is undeniably Volvo, but from the windshield back the striking look of the automobile bring to mind efforts from Peugeot and other companies known for their small cars.
Volvo made sure that the C30 would be more than just another pretty face. Sitting underneath the hood of the hatchback is a potent 5-cylinder engine. Displacing 2.5 liters, this unit cranks out 227 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque thanks to the use of a turbocharger. A 6-speed manual transmission is available, along with a 5-speed automatic aimed at those who aren’t interested in handling the shifting duties themselves. The C30’s drivetrain combination makes for spirited driving, and its small size and relatively light weight make it ideal for tackling treacherous corners at high speeds.
Even the base edition of this hatchback comes well equipped – air conditioning, a leather wrapped steering wheel and power windows and door locks are standard. Buyers can upgrade to such features as a sunroof, heated seats and rain-sensing windshield wipers, along with luxuries like a DVD navigation system and xenon headlights. While the C30 isn’t meant to challenge the luxury trappings of more sophisticated cars such as the BMW 3-Series, it is certainly a contender in the near-luxury field, taking on vehicles like the Audi A3 while separating itself from the Volkswagen GTI.
Whether you prefer the Volvo C30 or the Volvo S60R model, it's obvious that Edward Cullen, our favorite Twilight vampire likes the color silver for his cars.
