C30: families need not apply

Volvo launched its all-new C30 hatch last week. Designed to attract younger buyers to the brand, the C30 makes a departure from Volvo's usually strong family values, instead focusing on sporty singles and DINKs with an eye on style.

Volvo Australia spokesman Todd Hallenbeck told the Carsales Network: "The C30 is not intended as a family car. We've always had other models that serve family transport purposes so the C30's job is to offer features more suited to buyers at a different stage of life, with different requirements. It will bring younger buyers to the brand who may later step-up to our other models."

The C30 shares drivetrain and suspension components, and some parts such as the bonnet and floating centre console, with stablemates S40/V50 but the hatch is a four-seater only, and priced under the S40.

The range includes 2.4-litre and turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol, and D5 diesel engine models, and starts at $34,450 for the C30 S with five-speed manual, topping out at $42,450 for the C30 T5 or C30 D5 with six-speed manual. Add $1500 for the five-speed auto.

The diesel and 'S' model C30s will not be available until later this year.

On launch the C30 LE and T5 petrol models debuted. The C30 LE comes standard with 16 x 6.5-inch alloys, leather upholstery, power-adjustable driver's seat with memory function, eight-speaker sound system, leather-trimmed steering wheel, cruise control, interior air quality system, halogen headlights with headlight washers, foglights in front spoiler and stability traction control.

The T5 features extras above the LE including 17 x 7-inch aluminium-alloy wheels, aluminium interior treatment, bi-xenon headlights, dynamic stability traction control, rain sensor wipers and rear spoiler.

Volvo says the C30 is as safe as its S40 model, offering ABS with EBD and brake assist, front dual-stage airbags, inflatable curtain protection and Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), SIPS bags, front seats, head and chest, three-point inertia reel safety belts, head restraints and anti-submarining on all seats, whiplash protection system and Volvo's new  'Intelligent Driver Information System'.

Smallest in Volvo's line-up, the C30 still offers adult-sized seating all 'round, albeit only for four, and the company says it will accommodate large cargo items like a bicycle with the rear seats folded down.

The C30 also does a fair job of punching above its weight in terms of performance: the T5 is rated at 162kW/320Nm and will manage 0-100km in 6.7sec, and judging by our sample on the launch drive program, has enough poke and handling competence to turn on a spirited drive. In fact, it's the C30's sporting overtones that Volvo says will help win buyers.

Perhaps those unconvinced by S40? "The C30 is one of our more aggressive models, yes," Hallenbeck told CN. "While we're not marketing it as a sportscar, we think it has real sport attributes."

The C30 serves as Volvo's volume driver, in Europe at least, where sales are allegedly strong in places like Spain and Italy.

The company wants 65,000 sales a year, but scant few will be made here. Volvo Australia will have less than 1000 C30s available for sale locally in 2007 due to its popularity in other markets.

No stranger to abuse after 'Bloody Volvo Driver', the company is now asking if you love or hate the C30. Read our launch review next week for our verdict, but in the meantime, check out Volvo's C30 ad campaign here.

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