Volvo has continued its push for a younger image to attract like-minded buyers by giving it's conservative C70 convertible a new, bolder face in line with the company's latest corporate look. The four-passenger coupe-convertible gains the new corporate image first portrayed in the S60 concept car revealed in early 2009.
The upgrade comes as Volvo prepares for new ownership with the Chinese entity, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, set to take over the Ford-owned iconic Swedish maker. Geely is a major passenger car manufacturer in China. Volvo ownership with manufacturing continuing in Sweden will see Geely become a mainstream, world automotive player.
Volvo Car Australia managing director, Alan Desselss, said the purchase of Volvo was currently undergoing due diligence. Its business as usual and ensures Volvo's future, he said. The Chinese company will inject $568 million into Volvo. No doubt the Chinese will be impressed by the new-look Volvo, in particular the company's flagship convertible, the C70.
It's headlights now swoop into the upper section of the front mudguards above larger outer air vents in the new bumper. Down back C70 gets LED taillights and a new bumper, giving the car a wider, more purposeful road appearance. The car's hardtop remains the same and can be dropped in 30 seconds by the press of a button with a foot on the brake pedal.
The interior has also received a minor facelift with a re-designed instrument panel and new, easy-to-read instruments. Aluminium trim details have also been upgraded with a new honeycomb surface designed to be hard wearing and anti-scratch. While the seats have not changed Volvo has used a softer leather, which combined with the heated seats, will be appreciated by those who like their top-down touring in cooler climates. Grey/white Oyster Burst trim - inspired by Swedish Hagstrom guitars best known for being used by Elvis - is optional for the centre stack and door panel inlays.
The C70 also gets active lights and EBL - Emergency Brake Lights - which flash fives times a second during emergency braking as a warning to following traffic. The C70 is available in S and T5 variants. The C70 S uses a 2.4 litre 125 kW, five cylinder engine with 230 Nm of torque. The C 70 T5 is powered by a 2.5 litre turbocharged five cylinder engine that produces 169 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque.
The C70 S comes with either a five speed manual transmission or Volvo's five speed Geartronic gearbox that has an optional manual shifter. The turbo vehicle comes with the same Geartronic transmission or a six speed manual. Our road test was north of Melbourne on wet, winding roads in the T5 variant of the coupe-convertible. The vehicle exhibits precious little road noise and the NVH is good for a convertible. The roof not only keeps down the road and wind noise, but also reduces the bane of all convertibles, scuttle shake.
We put the roof down over some average country roads and the shake was evident, although not that bad that it will deter buyers. Its a bit of as squeeze into the rear pew and the roof limits the car from having a family size boot. But the styling improvements give C 70 a sporty edge the previous model was crying out for. We also appreciated the softer leather seats, particular with the seat warmers on and the roof down in Melbourne's early winter weather.
MODELS AND PRICING
C70 S $59,950* (5 spd manual and auto)
C70 T5 $69,950 (6 spd manual and auto)
(*Pricing is Manufacturers List Pricing and does not include on road costs and government charges) |
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