Now that BMW and Audi are creating more than line extensions than dueling cocaine dealers, Volvo seems ready to follow suit. Their answer to BMW's MINI Clubman and Audi's A3 Sportback? The ungainly Volvo V30. Based on the platform that spawned the S40, V50, C70, C30 and Segway (just kidding), the V30 is yet another five-door wagon. This one's slated to be almost 11" shorter than the V50 wagon, and haul about half the köttbollar. In fact, you could say the V30 four-seater is the P1800 wagon reincarnated, but I couldn't possibly comment. Expect the usual Volvo engine lineup of I4s, smooth I5s and Euroe-only diesels. The news guys at Teknikens Värld claim we'll see Volvo's DSG-style tranny– dubbed "PowerShift"– when the V30 finally rolls into town. Let's just hope the pictures don't do it justice.
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How can I not comment? I love the way it looks.
Well, that makes one person, then.
i like the short overhangs-maybe it will handle well.
well i have seen the three door here and about and it is HOT lookin. A 5 door is better for alot of reasons. I wait to see it.
From that angle all I can think of is “bubble butt!”
I’ll wait to see other angles to pass my final opinionated judgment on it.
So far the C30 has been pretty well received. Its looks are polarizing but I think Volvo will sell a few of these.
this is getting a lot of press for something Volvo hasn’t even confirmed they are building.
Volvo considers a 5-door C30
Mark Rechtin
Automotive News
October 29, 2007 – 12:01 am ET
TOKYO — Volvo Car Corp. is considering a five-door hatchback that would be derived from its new C30 compact three-door model.
Such a vehicle could give Volvo a volume boost, said Magnus Jonsson, Volvo senior vice president of r&d, at the Tokyo motor show.
“The five-door would be less exciting from a design perspective,” he said, “but we’re looking to expand.”
Volvo needed to make a splash with its first small car, so a stylish three-door was necessary, said Lex Kerssemakers, Volvo’s senior vice president of brand, business and product strategy. Expanding the lineup is not out of the question, he said.
Volvo is impressed with early C30 sales in most countries, Kerssemakers said.
If markets such as the United States and Japan outsell their allocations of the three-door, that might speed the decision to make a five-door version, he said.
No time frame was given as to when that decision would be made.
Woot! I like it too – that makes two of us. :-) I think the conceptual drawing’s perspective or angle or aperture or something is a bit off – the hatch can’t be that different from the C30. Here’s hoping they actually produce these…
I like it, but then I own a ’72 1800ES and think it is stunning!
I don’t see the point. We’ve already got the C30, which is pretty cool–and would be cooler if they let it have AWD (but, oh no, can’t cannibalize a sale…). If you *must* have four (five) doors, then you need a wagon, and they already make the V50. I’m all for choice in the market place, and I’d be happy if it always resulted in choice. Sadly, it always results in the axing of the two (three) doors.
While I’m whining–what is the deal with sale cannibalization? Why don’t they just price options at a certain profit point. Make it so AWD always adds $500 profit whether it’s a C30, S40, or V50. Same with Mazda and their “we don’t want a hatchback competing with our speed6” you-can’t-have-AWD-because-we-said-so biz.
A 72 1800ES? You are my hero. However, Robert F. may think differently. I must admit, I have a WRX wagon. That’s an acquired taste as well.
actually, the p1800 was a coupe and the 1800es was a 3 door.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_P1800
so this is an all new config for volvo.
I have to say, I think it lookd odd, but if the D5 engine is ever served up stateside, I’d buy one.
I think they’d sell a few. As a more practical entry-level model than the C30, the V30 fits the bill and there isn’t a whole lot of competition in that the segment, only the Audi A3 and maybe the Mini Cooper Clubman.
On the other hand, the C30 and V30 have absolutely nothing to do with the classic 1800ES, although you can see how Volvo keeps trying to work 1800ES styling cues into the design. The old Volvo 480 was really the only predessesor to the C30.