This machine really is an expression of its owners desire not to blend in- and options and packages available to customize the C30 to its owners exact liking.
Five-in-a-row makes it go
That exact liking may happen to entail a smooth and efficient engine or an exciting turbocharged one. Turbo models have 227 horsepower- though the test car made due with a more economical 2.4 litre 168 horsepower mill.
Like the body and interior of the C30, the engine is a bit different too. It's got five-cylinders as opposed to four, for added smoothness and an extra participant to help share the workload.
The result is a mill that's very laid back. It's smooth as silk, quiet and very fuel efficient too. Thing is, it also sounds fantastic when pushed, goes like stink and won't leave anyone other than die-hard speed-freaks wanting any more power.
The five-speed manual gearbox fitted to the tester is another exercise in smoothness, and works via one of the lightest and most slick shifters I've ever used. It's backed up by a very soft, easy clutch. Quick shifts can be executed with little effort, and the engine smoothly pulls along at any rev without making a peep until you jam the throttle. Watch your revs, as you may forget to shift.
In all, you couldn't really ask for this drivetrain or its power delivery to be any better.
Ride and handling- mostly good news
The ride is much the same. Although it can become jarring on very rough roads, it's composed on the highway and very quiet, while delivering go-kart handling and a safe, mild understeeer when pushed. The suspension is taut enough to predictably employ some lift-off oversteer in fast corners as well.
Minor complaints
In fact, after a whole week of driving the C30 around, the only complaints I wound up with were some tiny and over-complicated climate control and audio buttons, and the heavy doors. These, being hinged from a car with two doors and four seats, are just enormous- and they're filled with airbags, crash-beams, sensors and computers- so they each weigh as much as a Smart-Car. After a full day of errands, getting in and out repeatedly could wear you down.
In a nutshell
In all though, it's a safe, very well made and sporty little machine that's great on fuel, fun to drive, refuses to blend in and always causes a stir. I can see this C30 becoming popular with young professionals looking for an expressive and energetic machine to grow into, though anyone after fun, safety and controversial styling ought to check one out.
Observed average mileage
Highway:7.7 L / 100km
City:10.5 L / 100km
Silky drivetrain and power delivery, solid, vault like feel, nimble and flat handling
Suspension can become upset and harsh on rough roads, cluttered centre-stack controls
You may need to put your weight into opening the doors
photo:Justin Pritchard
Five-in-a-row makes it go
That exact liking may happen to entail a smooth and efficient engine or an exciting turbocharged one. Turbo models have 227 horsepower- though the test car made due with a more economical 2.4 litre 168 horsepower mill.
 |
| The 2.4L 5-cylinder engine packs plenty of power for the daily commute. |
Like the body and interior of the C30, the engine is a bit different too. It's got five-cylinders as opposed to four, for added smoothness and an extra participant to help share the workload.
The result is a mill that's very laid back. It's smooth as silk, quiet and very fuel efficient too. Thing is, it also sounds fantastic when pushed, goes like stink and won't leave anyone other than die-hard speed-freaks wanting any more power.
The five-speed manual gearbox fitted to the tester is another exercise in smoothness, and works via one of the lightest and most slick shifters I've ever used. It's backed up by a very soft, easy clutch. Quick shifts can be executed with little effort, and the engine smoothly pulls along at any rev without making a peep until you jam the throttle. Watch your revs, as you may forget to shift.
In all, you couldn't really ask for this drivetrain or its power delivery to be any better.
Ride and handling- mostly good news
The ride is much the same. Although it can become jarring on very rough roads, it's composed on the highway and very quiet, while delivering go-kart handling and a safe, mild understeeer when pushed. The suspension is taut enough to predictably employ some lift-off oversteer in fast corners as well.
Minor complaints
In fact, after a whole week of driving the C30 around, the only complaints I wound up with were some tiny and over-complicated climate control and audio buttons, and the heavy doors. These, being hinged from a car with two doors and four seats, are just enormous- and they're filled with airbags, crash-beams, sensors and computers- so they each weigh as much as a Smart-Car. After a full day of errands, getting in and out repeatedly could wear you down.
In a nutshell
In all though, it's a safe, very well made and sporty little machine that's great on fuel, fun to drive, refuses to blend in and always causes a stir. I can see this C30 becoming popular with young professionals looking for an expressive and energetic machine to grow into, though anyone after fun, safety and controversial styling ought to check one out.
Observed average mileage
Highway:7.7 L / 100km
City:10.5 L / 100km
 |
Silky drivetrain and power delivery, solid, vault like feel, nimble and flat handling
 |
Suspension can become upset and harsh on rough roads, cluttered centre-stack controls
 |
You may need to put your weight into opening the doors
photo:Justin Pritchard
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