More comfort than sport
Do not get me wrong, I really enjoyed the C70. I guess I was expecting
more zip than pampering. The principal sign that the C70 may be aimed more towards urban driving than spirited carving of switchbacks. The damping of the independent suspension is a little soft. Negotiating downtown Montreal roads is easy and un-scathing. There is a small amount of cowl-shake but it is kept in check by the amazing chassis. In hard cornering, accelerating or braking, the C70 demonstrates a large amount of body movement.
Real cozy for four passengers
The C70 is one of the rare convertibles that can comfortably accommodate four passengers. Even those located in the rear can benefit from some legroom when using the seats-top mounted switch for power for-and-aft movement of the front seats. The trunk is very usable when the roof is up. When lowered, the available space is cut in half. It is however much more useable than what some of the more recent roadsters have to offer. The dashboard layout is concentrated in the center-portion of the center console. The minimalist look works well and the buttons have a nice textured feel when depressed.
Other than the outstanding seats and meaty steering wheel, my other favourite item in this C70 is the premium sound system complete with twelve DynAudio speakers, a 5x130W amplifier and two 8" subwoofers each with their own 130W amplifier. With Dolby ProLogic II surround sound, the audio experience is astounding. The sound is powerful, clear and undeniably entertaining. This is perhaps one of the most powerful stock systems I have ever experienced in a mass-production car.
Cannot talk about Volvo and overlook safety
The C70 is jam-packed with innovative and well established safety features. I will not go through all of them (ABS brakes, brake force distribution, stability control, roll over protection system, whiplash protection front seats and reinforced safety cage with multiple crumple zones...) because it would take to long. Of particular interest are the door mounted inflatable curtains. As the C70 has no "B" pillars, these bags deploy out of the top of the doors. These bags work in conjunction with the side air bags to protect the head, hips and torso of the occupant.
Pricing for the C70 starts at $55,995 and rises to about $68,000 with packages and options.
Good stuff:
Striking good looks
Not so good stuff:
A few too many interior noises
Competitors:
Volkswagen EOS
BMW 3-Series Convertible
Audi A4 Cabrio
Mercedes-Benz CLK350
Do not get me wrong, I really enjoyed the C70. I guess I was expecting
 |
| Photo: Philippe Champoux |
Real cozy for four passengers
The C70 is one of the rare convertibles that can comfortably accommodate four passengers. Even those located in the rear can benefit from some legroom when using the seats-top mounted switch for power for-and-aft movement of the front seats. The trunk is very usable when the roof is up. When lowered, the available space is cut in half. It is however much more useable than what some of the more recent roadsters have to offer. The dashboard layout is concentrated in the center-portion of the center console. The minimalist look works well and the buttons have a nice textured feel when depressed.
Other than the outstanding seats and meaty steering wheel, my other favourite item in this C70 is the premium sound system complete with twelve DynAudio speakers, a 5x130W amplifier and two 8" subwoofers each with their own 130W amplifier. With Dolby ProLogic II surround sound, the audio experience is astounding. The sound is powerful, clear and undeniably entertaining. This is perhaps one of the most powerful stock systems I have ever experienced in a mass-production car.
Cannot talk about Volvo and overlook safety
 |
| Photo: Philippe Champoux |
Pricing for the C70 starts at $55,995 and rises to about $68,000 with packages and options.
Good stuff:
 |
| Photo: Philippe Champoux |
Striking good looks
Not so good stuff:
A few too many interior noises
Competitors:
Volkswagen EOS
BMW 3-Series Convertible
Audi A4 Cabrio
Mercedes-Benz CLK350
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