Volvo C70 2010 Review

Road Test

Volvo C70 T5

Price Guide (manufacturer's list price, excluding on-road costs and dealer delivery): $69,990
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): BLIS (blind spot system) $1275
Crash rating: Five stars (ANCAP)
Fuel: 91 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 9.8
CO2 emissions (g/km): 234
Also consider: Alfa Romeo Spider, Audi A3, BMW 125i Convertible

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 2.5/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

The depths of a cold Melbourne winter doesn't really sound like the ideal time to test a convertible -- those sunny, wind-in-your hair moments replaced with cold air, grit in your eyes and runny noses.

But bear in mind, however, that this is a Scandinavian car. The chilly mornings and inclement weather we encountered during the test shone light on areas of the Volvo C70 that might have otherwise gone unnoticed had we tested it in dry, baking heat of summer. For instance the two-stage seat warmers are an absolute God-send in cold weather (or when driving top down at night, through the Otways), warming frigid bodies much quicker than the heater.

The C70 also delivered excellent wind protection with the top down, while the heater and stereo weren't overwhelmed even in close to zero degree temperatures and at 100km/h speeds.

Thanks to a recent facelift, the C70 has a sportier look with a sleeker headlight design that ties it into Volvo's newest design DNA. Unchanged is the turbocharged five-cylinder engine with plenty of mumbo and its luxurious interior.

Take a quiet walk around the vehicle and it leaves the impression of a very modern, well-equipped and safe, sporty open car... The kind of vehicle that a couple of decades ago would have been unheard of from the Swedish carmaker.

It's an eye-catching car, one that attracted its fair share of attention during our week-long test -- yet another aspect that would have been unheard of in a Volvo not long ago. But with half a dozen safety features marked out in bold graphics inside the cabin -- from the side airbags, to SIPS, ROPS and WHIPS -- you still feel a little as though you're stepping into something overly sanitised and not very much fun. Thankfully the C70 isn't completely devoid of sporting intent.

Though it possesses an impressively supple ride quality that makes it a very handy commuter, it can still navigate corners at a swift pace. Indeed, the vicarious Volvo absolutely ate up long, open corners, holding its line through a bend nicely and tracking faithfully. In turn this will give the driver something to smile about should he/she want to blow away the cobwebs.

However tighter, sharper corners don't suit the front-wheel drive vehicle quite as well. By and large it's a fun thing to drive, but push too hard and it will readily understeer and push wide of its intended line, testament to its lardy 1646kg kerb weight.

The engine, too, contributes to the C70's spirited character, giving the convertible an extra bit of zing for overtaking or blasting out of corners. It's not as fleet of foot as the Ford Focus XR5 Turbo (with which it shares its basic powerplant), and it can also get very thirsty, but overall it's a good pairing.

Most drivers would probably find the 2.4-litre naturally aspirated 125kW/230Nm engine in the entry-level C70 S model more than enough poke for everyday duties, but if you like a bit more buzz under your bonnet then the 169kW/320Nm turbo T5 option is the way to go.

Volvo reckons the turbocharged version can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 8.0sec when paired to the five-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual is also offered), but it doesn't feel that quick off the line. Once moving, the car does have a more muscular feel, pulling strongly through the midrange whenever you drop the hammer.

We found the C70's fuel economy on the freeway was excellent, but in urban areas and stop-start traffic, ordinary. We saw figures about two litres above the claimed average of 9.8 litres of fuel use per 100km. But when we hit the winding coastal roads and increased the tempo, that figure stormed up to around 15-16.0L/100km and we had to fill up the tank more times than we'd have preferred.

For a lot of drivers, the most important function of the Volvo C70 will be its roof.

During our test we were buffeted with the kind of Arctic weather that would make a polar bear shiver, but with the heater cranked to full and the seat heaters on (and possibly a beanie in residence), both driver and front passenger fared surprisingly well when the top was dropped.

A neck-based heater system would add icing to the cake for cold-weather top-down motoring -- like Mercedes Air-Scarf system -- but overall it's very much an all-weather drop top.

The folding metal roof is lowered or raised by holding a button near the park brake, and takes 30sec to fully retract or deploy, and is relatively quiet in operation.

With the roof closed overhead, the car does a brilliant job of sealing occupants away from the bleak weather. Indeed, the car feels just like a coupe. Headroom isn't copious (rear seat passengers especially), but the C70 is very well insulated against outside noises and elements.

The interior features a large steering wheel and though the spoke-mounted buttons look a bit out of date, they work well thanks to their large size and easy to read fonts. Indeed, overall the interior is a pleasant place to inhabit, with soft seat cushioning, premium leather upholstery on the seats and at all major touch points (door inserts, centre arm rest etc).

It's got a neat-looking floating centre stack, with room behind for mobile phones, MP3 players or CD pouches, but there's a surfeit of controls that can be overwhelming at first glance.

There's enough incidental storage, cupholders and the like to keep even the most disorganised motorists happy and even the boot has a fair bit of space, with 404 litres when the roof is closed and 200 litres when the roof is open.

The standard features list on the $69,950 Volvo C70 T5 we tested was likewise impressive, delivering good bang for your krona.

On the outside you get 18-inch alloy wheels, active 'bending' lights and rain-sensing wipers while inside there's a pumping 12-speaker audio system, leather upholstered and electrically adjustable seats, climate control, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control and the aforementioned heated front seats.

There's even a button that has the word BLIS on it, but contrary to the label this button does not result in whale song and aromatherapy when pressed. It's a blind-spot detection system ($1275 cost option) that uses small cameras mounted underneath the wing mirrors to warn the driver if a car is in his/her blind-spot.

An extra pair of eyes will always be welcomed on the road and the system works, but is far from perfect. It would be folly to assume it could replace head-checking. It gets confused at times and will warn you of phantom vehicles that just aren't there, particularly if there's a hedge or tall barrier nearby, such as partitions on the freeway.

For mine, the system was counterproductive and distracting, but thankfully BLIS can be deactivated.

The rear seats are not particularly roomy and taller passengers won't be too happy back there, but they are still useful on short to medium distance journeys for adults. Most children will have acres of legroom.

To sum up, the Volvo C70 may not be the most affordable hardtop convertible in its class, but it is one of the most spacious, and has excellent safety features and impressive weather protection.

It's by no means a game changer and doesn't push the envelope in terms of convertible designs -- despite a few innovative (if ineffective) safety features -- but the Volvo C70 T5 is a very entertaining vehicle, one that proved its worth in some extreme conditions.

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