Alternatively, “The new Volvo C70 rewards the owner with self-assured elegance.” So what if you’re an owner without self-assured elegance? Thank God Volvo hasn’t cut back on the Swedish-to-English translation services. Not. “With its new front clip, the Volvo C70 reveals traces of the S60 Concept Car that was unveiled in early 2009. The C70 not relates more closely to the design language of the larger cars in the Volvo model range . . . Bodywork details such as the front fender have also been redesigned, contributing to the decidedly altered appearance . . . We’ve focused the new interior features around the driver to give the owner a stronger perception of being rewarded behind the wheel.” As opposed to the reality of being rewarded, I suppose. Pistonheads adds some kind words about the refreshed model’s performance . . .
The T5, with its five-cylinder 2.3-litre engine producing 220bhp and 236lb ft of torque, remains the sportiest model of the bunch. The unit drags the C70 from 0-60 in 7.6secs and on to 150mph, so don’t be afraid to take it on at the traffic lights when it arrives in the UK early next year.
Ouch. And here’s hoping this one doesn’t malfuction:
Since the Volvo C70 has a proper glass rear window, the hoops shoot up through the glass if the roof is up. They have therefore been fitted with small hardened metal spikes that break the glass to guarantee proper deployment.
A friend of mine has a 2001 C70 convert. That car is perhaps the best looking, best proportioned convertible made over the last 20 years. It is nice that Volvo has avoided that modern fashon of taking a good design and making it more, shall we say, aggressive (or ugly, if you prefer.) I like this new C70 better than the last one, but still prefer the first.
By the way, that turbo 5 really scoots. My friend’s 01 is a heavy car at over 4000 lbs, but it will really fly when the turbo kicks in. Although I am a low-tech american iron kinda guy, the 1st gen C70 is one Volvo that I would own. A weekend spent with my buddy’s (it’s even a 5 speed!) could almost convince me to look for one of these, euro maintenance nightmares and all.
Naught to 60 in 7.6 seconds? Could explain why this car hasn’t exactly been lighting up the sales charts for Volvo.
Hint: buy it used.
@FreedMike :
Naught to 60 in 7.6 seconds? Could explain why this car hasn’t exactly been lighting up the sales charts for Volvo.
They seem to sell fine in Europe with the smaller engines – every single one I see in this area has the 2 liter diesel.
Seriously, Volvo buyers don’t care about going fast. Convertible buyers don’t care either. Volvo convertible buyers -> figure it out yourself.
At least from this angle you can’t see the absolutely hideous black plastic antenna. About as classy as a big pimple on your nose.
They have therefore been fitted with small hardened metal spikes that break the glass to guarantee proper deployment.
We had these mounted on the seat headrest in all of the jet fighters I have flown, just in case the canopy did not jettison, but I never expected to see them on a car.
It’s not a bad vehicle for Volvo. Folks who buy the C70’s are definitely more into the luxury side of the equation.
I believe this model will be far better than most in that category.
Crosseyed.
And…at 7.6 to 60…painless as well!..to paraphrase David Byrne
Another over priced FWD car from Volvo.
Twotone
I had an ’09 C70 as a rental from Avis a few months back. Did just over 750 miles in two days, criss-crossing back roads through Mass, VT, NH, across to the Adirondacks then back down to CT the next day.
Pros: Nice ride, very quiet with the top up, comfortable, fun, quick enough and nice riding. Gorgeous in person, gets looks with the top up or down. Drive it with the top up and the windows down for a pillar-less coupe feeling. Trunk is pretty big with top up.
Cons: Top operation is very slow. Both. Up. And. Down. Interior is nice but virtually identical to what you get in a $22,000 C30. (In fact, my R-Design C30 has a nicer interior.) Trunk is very small with top down, but there is a button in the trunk that lifts the roof so you can get to stuff below it.
Pricing Note: Even with the current $4,500 incentive, pricing on this car makes it a hard sell.
Volvo’s unique multi-piece folding mechanism is one of the least ugly of all the retractable hard tops, but I absolutely hate the way the line of the trunk lid slices through the tail lamps. Ruins it.
Design wise I think it is a big letdown after the first Gen C70, and it’s based on a smaller platform, but is still heavier. I see them very rarely in Europe as well, so far from the hoped for success. Especially, since there is a Ford Focus alternative, which is practically the same car, with a bit more fun dialled in and significantly cheaper. Not that that’s a big seller, either.
“With its new front clip, the Volvo C70 reveals traces of the S60 Concept Car that was unveiled in early 2009.
Dear Volvo,
Ape the IS250 much?
Nice and dull.