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2007 Volvo C30 T5 First Impressions

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Amyot Bachand
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Youthful, gorgeous and spacious

Palma de Majorque, Spain -- Volvo is entering a new market segment: the 3-door coupes. Their new luxury model will battle against a select
(Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com)
group comprised of the Audi A3, Volkswagen Rabbit GTI, Subaru WRX and MINI Cooper. With its awesome looks, welcoming interior and attractive price, the C30 T5 will no doubt put up quite a fight. As for handling, however, we will have to wait for an R-performance or all-wheel drive model, neither of which figures in the company's plans for the near future. It's a road test in bad weather that led me to this conclusion. I was looking to test drive the 2.4L base model, but it wasn't available. Considering the starting price and road manners of the T5, I believe that the C30 2.4 will prove to be outstanding thanks to a better mechanical balance on top of its natural beauty.

Gorgeous at both ends
(Photo: Volvo)
Just look at it to understand what I'm talking about. Up front, the C30 says true to Volvo's family traits. It looks like the S40, but it boasts a more dynamic and more sporty styling thanks to its head designer, Quebec's own Simon Lamarre. That said, you really fall in love with the car when you admire it from the sides. The muscular rear haunches with prominent taillights enhance the look and set the vehicle apart from all the other luxury compacts. The hatch is inspired by the P1800ES. Overall, this is a truly dynamic car that stands out from the masses.

Relaxing in the front seats
In the S40, I felt a bit squeezed so I wondered how would be the C30 interior. Despite being 22 centimeters shorter, the coupe offers
(Photo: Amyot Bachand, Auto123.com)
generous space for front occupants. Access and ease of movement are great. One of my colleagues, who is taller and larger than me, even said that he felt perfectly comfortable. It almost feels like sitting in a midsize car. Behind the wheel, visibility is very good. The dashboard is not too protruding, which adds to the spacious feeling. Materials are quite good, as is the fit and finish. In addition, Volvo offers various color schemes for the seats and the center console with all models. For the driver, everything falls naturally at hand; the controls are easy to manipulate and the instruments are very legible. I would have preferred a smaller steering wheel, but that's not the end of the world...

Trendy car
Clearly, Volvo is targeting young professionals between 25 and 35 years old who don't have kids yet. Forty-something folks who remain young at heart should also be interested, especially those that are looking for a convenient and trendy car. The C30 is a 3-door coupe that can seat four adults; the trunk is quickly accessed and can
(Photo: Volvo)
swallow several bags and luggage. If you have children, you might want to buy an S40 or V50. Volvo wanted to appeal to a younger, unmarried clientele. This is all the result of some pretty serious surveys conducted between 1997 and 2002. Following the introduction of the SCC, a Safety Concept Car with soul, Volvo's designers realized they had caught the public's attention and that they should maintain the same degree of emotion in the car. Based on the surveys, the head designer at the time gave Simon Lamarre, who had just finished the design of the S80 (interior), the task to explore further. In less than a month, Lamarre completed a highly detailed preliminary sketch of a C30 aimed at young customers, single or married. The project was then approved by Volvo's high executives.
Amyot Bachand
Amyot Bachand
Automotive expert
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