Volvo to Build Golf-Rivaling Hatchback

The design of the C30 was inspired by two of Volvo's concept cars, the Safety Car Concept (SCC) which debuted in Detroit

Essentially, designers have taken the best parts of each concept car, and fused them together. (Photo: Volvo Canada)

four years ago, and the environmentally-friendly 3CC which made its first appearance at last year's Michelin Bibendum Challenge. Essentially, designers have taken the best parts of each car, and fused them together, according to reports. Expect to see the chunky, bumperless front end from the 3CC, melded with the upright rear styling of the SCC.

What will set the Volvo apart from other compact executive hatchbacks are the details in the car's design. For starters, the C30 is a two-door hatchback, not a three-door, as the hatch is composed of a frameless, glazed plate of glass. Another neat detail is that during braking, the high-mounted LED tail lamps illuminate to surround the outline of the hatchback.

Volvo's reputation was mainly built on its innovations in safety, but don't expect to see the far-fetched equipment of the SCC. (Photo: Volvo Canada)

Unfortunately, the creative see-through pillars of the SCC are unlikely to be carried over to the production version.

Another area where Volvo hopes to attract customers is through its advanced safety features. Volvo's reputation was mainly built on its innovations in safety, but don't expect to see the far-fetched equipment of the SCC, like the gimmicky heartbeat monitor. Road-adapting headlamps, blind spot warning system and active radar cruise control, on the other hand, could very well be on the options list. The C30 should be rated amongst the best in class in passive safety due to its super-rigid structure, and extensive use of super-high-tensile steels.