Volvo C30 R-Design Sport | Road Test Review

“Fancy driving something a bit
different? Volvo’s C30 SportsCoupe
has an undeniable dash of class,
is particularly well kitted-out and has
engines to suit ‘young thrusters’
as well as ‘eco warriors’...”

AS THE MOTOR INDUSTRY RUSHES OUT low-emission, low-cost, small and generally aesthetically boring and 'samey' people boxes to tempt cash-strapped buyers there are still, thankfully, one or two distinctive gems on the market.

For those who dare to be different, the Volvo C30 SportsCoupe range of three-door, four-seat models costing from just Ł14,995 could be a good choice.

Fully aware that sooner or later customers will get fed up with 'me-too' products, Volvo invites customers to create their own perfect C30. With a choice of eight engines, Flexifuel, DRIVe low CO2 versions and four trim levels, I counted up 26 derivatives — not including extra cost options — in the latest C30 price list.

From the outset the design of this B/C segment sized car is different in having two passenger doors plus a signature-design deep glass tailgate. The heavily sculptured styling lines and body panels give this coupe a unique appearance. And the long wheelbase, low body height and wide track emphasise its sporty credentials, as do the four individual seats. It is probably more distinctive than even the highly-rated new Volkswagen Scirocco coupe (priced from Ł18,395) or the newer Renault Megane Coupe that costs from Ł14,745.

Who buys such a car? Volvo says younger pre-family singles or couples and 'empty nesters'. According to my wife (she who must be listened to), from her experience she sees the C30 being the distinctive vehicle of choice for 'ladies who lunch', whatever that means. Perhaps ladies who have an independent lifestyle and are fed-up by having yet another Golf GTi; or those who cannot justify paying the considerable extra price for an Audi TT.

Volvo UK suggests they can sell around 7,000 C30's in the UK each year but as we know, it is a difficult market place — so that target might not be achieved without dealers offering some competitive discounts. Volvo also suggests that 75% of C30 customers will be new to the brand.

To accommodate a wide range of both male and female customers, the C30 range is available with four mainstream trim options. These are the conservative but classy SE and SE Lux versions and, for the 'young thrusters', R-Design Sport and R-Design SE Sport variants. There is also an S specification level for the 1.6D DRIVe model suitable for cost- and CO2-conscious 'eco warriors'.

Looking at the C30 price list there is no price penalty for choosing a C30 R-Design Sport over the C30 SE: both start at Ł14,995 with prices increasing depending on engine choice up to Ł21,105. There are 1.6/1.8/2.0/T5 petrol units and 1.6/2.0/D5 diesel engines plus the 1.8 Flexifuel and the 1.6D DRIVe low-CO2 powerplants. Although the Flexifuel model is available with the R-Design Sport specification, the 1.6D DRIVe is available for the less sporty looking S, SE and SE Lux versions.

“I liked the four
individual sports seats,
smartly trimmed in
leather...”

My test C30 was the R-Design Sport variant: the range starter, priced at Ł14,995. With its distinctive core design this coupe certainly looks very different — and in a nice way. It makes a welcome change from the mob of other coupe-style three-door hatchbacks currently sitting in showrooms and on forecourts patiently waiting for buyers to come along.

I think the added sports body kit is a bit heavy-handed, especially the exaggerated front spoiler and seemingly 'stuck-on' side skirt and wheel arch extensions. The C30 already has unique sculptured styling lines and these add-ons rather dilute its inherent classy looks. That said, I understand why it has been done — to beef up that street-cred appeal for younger users. However, in real-life and certainly from my experience, it is the older but young-at-heart buyers looking for a reasonably-priced, sporty looking car who are the main buyers of the C30 models.

The interior of the C30 doesn't disappoint in most areas. I liked the four individual sports seats, smartly trimmed in leather. The rear seats are mounted towards the centreline of the car, improving head and shoulder-room. Volvo says they are convinced that four seats — and not five — is the correct approach as they provide greater rear seat comfort for both passengers. On most journeys I doubt whether the rear seats will even be used: mostly they will probably be folded flat, giving good cargo space for a coupe of this size.

The distinctive glass tailgate offers very reasonable rear visibility, as do the big rear side windows whose pronounced curve tapering towards the back also benefits rear three-quarter vision. A nicely fitting load cover is available to protect luggage from prying eyes.

As you would expect from a Volvo, the C30 is designed to be an extremely safe car in an accident. Curtain airbags protect both front and rear passengers. Other safety equipment includes safety belt tensioners, whiplash protection system, side impact protection system plus side and curtain airbags. In addition, every Volvo C30 has dynamic stability and traction control, and ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and electronic brake assistance. For the money, that's a formidable array of safety equipment indeed.

Even though the R-Design Sport model is the entry level version it is really well equipped. Standard items include air conditioning with electronic climate control and Volvo's air quality system that continuously monitors the carbon monoxide level of the incoming air and closes the air vents when the level is too high. The system also includes an active charcoal filter to prevent dust, exhaust particles, pollen and unpleasant odours from entering the cabin through the ventilation system.

Other standard features include a 'Performance Sound' audio system with CD, six speakers and a 4x20W amplifier, remote locking with alarm, automatic headlamp levelling, 'home safe and approach' lighting, power windows, front and rear centre armrests, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats. Cruise control, steering wheel remote audio controls, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with a folding function, 17- inch alloy wheels and front fog lights also feature as standard.

And still there is more: the sporty interior design has two-tone black and cream upholstery with contrast stitching and embossed R-Design logos, a leather trimmed steering wheel, an aluminium centre stack, blue instrument dials, sports pedals and tufted dark-coloured floormats with cream leather seams. It is a sporty yet at the same time 'posh' motor.

Whilst the sportiness applies to the exterior and interior design, the performance is not sporty at all. The 1.6-litre petrol engine is pretty modest in performance in this day and age. The C30 is built so well and with so much safety and comfort equipment it has a kerb weight of 1,289kg, so the four-cylinder engine offers only mediocre performance and it is not very frugal with fuel. Power output is a modest 99bhp and torque of 111lb ft (at 4,000rpm) doesn't allow it to be very responsive. The engine sounds harsh when pushed so generally the car is better as a quiet and comfortable cruiser — under today's motoring conditions that's generally what most people want.

Top speed is 115mph, 0-62mph takes 11.5 seconds and the official average fuel economy is 40.4mpg. My test car couldn't replicate that figure even when driven very carefully. Overall it returned just 27mpg and I wasn't driving it very hard at all. The CO2 emissions are not low either, at 167g/km — incurring an annual road tax bill of Ł175 from next month (April, 2009). Drive to the front wheels is through a five-speed manual gearbox which is light, precise and easy to use.

Ride comfort is first class and happily the R-Design Sport specification doesn't include a rock-hard suspension set-up. The steering is sharp and precise, there's plenty of front-end grip, the ride isn't fidgety and overall the balance of the C30 makes it feel 'well planted' — no doubt helped by its heavy weight! In its 1.6 100ps specificiation it's not much fun to drive and neither is it frugal on fuel. On the plus side the C30 sports a classy, unique design and ticks all the right boxes for image. It's also well built, very safe, has a high level of equipment and comes at a good price. — David Miles

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