MIMS: Volvo gets busy, and sharpens its pencil

Volvo will launch no fewer than 12 new models and variants in 2007 with diesel set to play an ever increasingly important role in its mix Down Under.

They were the 'take home' details from the Ford-owned Swedish brand's presentation at MIMS. The 'take to the dealer' detail was the aggressive pricing of the new small Ovlov, the C30.

Already on sale and setting records in Europe, the C30 is set for local launch starting April. In total, four models will be offered in the Australian marketplace -- three petrol-engined variants and a single D5 turbodiesel model (with 8.5sec 0-100km/h sprint times and 5.0lt/100km economy) due for release later in the year.

In terms of dollars, the range will kick off with the 124kW 2.4-litre five-cylinder, five-speed manual C30 S at $34,450. The S will arrive later in the year with the D5, a price for which was not announced today.

Arriving first, however, will be the C30 LE and T5. Essentially an auto-tranny version of the S with extra goodies, the LE is priced from $39,950. The T5 is the range-topper and features a turbocharged 162kW/320Nm five-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual gearbox (auto is available as an option).

Arriving in April with the LE, the T5 is priced from a very sharp $42,450. This puts pressure on the likes of VW Golf GTI and MINI's Cooper S, not to mention Audi's A3 range and BMW's 1 Series offerings.

According to Volvo spokesperson Todd Hallenbeck the C30's aggressive pricing has been encouraged by the factory.

"They asked if with some aggressive pricing we could really do something with the T5 [and the rest of the C30 range] and we believe we can. We're very pleased with the pricing we've been able to announce," Hallenbeck said.

In the large car and SUV arena, Volvo announced the arrival of its new inline six-cylinder naturally-aspirated powerplant.

Replacing the 2.5T in the XC90 range and also available in the just-released S80, the 3.2-litre engine is rated at 175kW and is mated to an all-new six-speed transmission. There's no change in pricing for the entry-level XC90 which gets the powerplant -- it kicks off at $69,950.

And for the go-fast SUV gang, Volvo has the XC90 V8 Sport -- available from May 2007... Bright red paint, V8 engine, 19-inch wheels, body kit... Yes, this really is from the Volvo stand.

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