Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Volvo
Volvo C50?: Volvo considering five-door C30
During a sit down with Volvo's senior veep of R&D, Magnus Jonsson told Automotive News that a five-door version of the C30 might be in the cards. "The five-door would be less exciting from a design perspective, but we're looking to expand." That seems like an accurate statement considering that stretching the three-door model could have a few negative aesthetic implications. But if sales of the C30 in the U.S. and Japan go through the roof, a five-door model could be a competitive product for buyers looking to move up market from the C30's platform sibling, the Mazda3.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
k.w.a 9:11AM (10/29/2007)
that's a great idea... it would make the car more practical. I was wondering if Volvo was considering something like that
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housegsx 9:36AM (10/29/2007)
More practical? Only for carrying people. But the 5 door model would probably be smaller in the hatch. And that's all the practicality and versatility of a hatch. 3 door is the way to go. A 5 door would also be bigger and heavier which take away from the compact size convenience as well.
Not saying anything is wrong with having both, but certainly more people would be interested in cars like the Mazda MS3 and Impreza if they were to be offered in 3 door trim.
Doogs 9:54AM (10/29/2007)
I agree, housegsx, about the goodness of three-door hatches (I have a Mini myself). But, speaking as a father-to-be, rear doors are going to be an all-but requirement on whatever I get next. I'm already cringing at the idea of futzing around with a carseat in the back of the Mini.
Why oh why can't we have the 1-Series 5-door?
psarhjinian 10:49AM (10/29/2007)
Why would this be bigger or heavier? The five-door Rabbit is within a few pounds of the 3-door and gives up zero cargo space. Same goes for the Yaris 3- and 5-door, as well as the old Saab 900/9-3.
I'm sure 3-doors look nicer to some people, but as someone who transports friends (and now children), they're phenominally less practical. The first time someone has to climb in and out quickly (especially if that someone is _you_) you'll want for a five-door.
I know a large number of people who have specifically avoided three-door hatchbacks for exactly that reason, and I think it would behoove:
Mercedes (C230K)
BMW (318ti)
...to think that perhaps the reason their respective hatchbacks cratered in the NA market (while the Audi A3 is thriving) is not because North Americans think hatchbacks are cheap, but because anyone who buys a hatchback wants versatility, and three-doors are anything but. I avoided the Honda Civic for years for this reason, and avoided the Mercedes C230K in favour of the Saab 9-3 for the same reason again.
Now, all this being said, I wonder what the point of this car would be next to the V50 (or VW GTI, Mazda3, etc). Unless Volvo prices it aggressively (in Canada, the C30 is wickedly overpriced; of course so is every Volvo) it'd get passed over because, at that price point, you're either mature enough to go for the V50, or practical (and cash-strapped) enough to go to the Mazda store.
geekmorgan 12:41PM (10/29/2007)
I emailed Volvo about one month ago asking them if they planned a 5-door version for the US market, and I was told "There were no plans" to which I replied, good luck competing with the VW Rabbit/Audi A3. Since its currently only a 3door, it really limits the usability for families that want practicle small car.
SherbornSean 9:34AM (10/29/2007)
So this would be an *attractive* V50 then?
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Stuka 9:59AM (10/29/2007)
The issue with the C30 is price. You can almost buy a fully loaded MazdaSpeed3 for less than the C30. And you get 5 doors, better handling, and a lot more power. If the C30 was better priced I would consider it, as its basically the exact platform/drivetrain as the euro Focus ST.
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Neil Schelly 10:00AM (10/29/2007)
A smaller Volvo wagon with AWD and a turbo could be a very fun car. The V50 is nice, but I'd rather a bit smaller and this may slot in there great. Or as someone else said, why can't BMW bring the 5-door 1 series over? Time will tell...
-N
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ChrisL 10:01AM (10/29/2007)
I would love a five door - but with a door system like the RX-8 or the passenger side of the Mini-clubman. That approach might have a less negative visual impact than a traditional 5-door body and set itself apart from other offerings.
And please have a glass roof option, that tiny sunroof they're offering is a joke.
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a jug of clorox 10:21AM (10/29/2007)
This makes sense, especially since Volvo is planning on discontinuing the S40 to make way for the next-gen S60 as the entry-level/smaller/"affordable" sedan. The S40 discontinuation will certainly lead to the end of the V50.
A 5-door C30 lets Volvo have a more practical rear-seat-accessible offering to cater to the same practicality-seeking demographic of the 4-door S40 sedan.
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MikeInNC 10:53AM (10/29/2007)
The C30 is very likely my next car (S40 going off lease in March). I'd much rather have a 5 door than a 3 door and since there are definite luxury differences between the MS3 and the Volvo I'd end up with the Volvo in that contest.
I've yet to check but if the MS3 doesn't come with rear side impact air bags it wouldn't be an option anyway. I have a 9 yr old and her safety trumps my car fun factor any day.
I was crawling around a C30 yesterday. Really handsome looking car. Beefy looking rear treatment.
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Emro 11:09AM (10/29/2007)
Mike^^^
the C30 doesn't have rear side impact airbags either?
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Urbanistic 11:11AM (10/29/2007)
The new issue from the swedish mag Teknikens Varld has a big article about the car and som pics too. V30 is the name of the car. I don't know if they got som pics on their website. I haven't found any though.
http://www.teknikensvarld.se/
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Seminole 11:21AM (10/29/2007)
Here's a rendering of it: http://www.teknikensvarld.se/_internal/cimg!0/8ithpm7g1dilyx311am4nis4124hf0s.jpeg
I don't think it's needed, the usability of the cargo area is not very great. People who want a 5-door hatchback will go with a car that offers greater utility than the C-50 or whatever it's gonna be called will offer.
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phil 12:04PM (10/29/2007)
It's going to ruin the lines of this car. Cars weren't designed to be extended and still look good.
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94 Taurus owner 12:46PM (10/29/2007)
Hey Volvo if you do this you will be able to compete with the vw rabbit/gti and the saturn astra
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B2speeder 1:20PM (10/29/2007)
psarhjinian, you can't ride in the backseat of your own car! Come on.. :)
I really like the C30, but for me, the worst thing about the Volvo is the dissapointing gas mileage. I think they would find more buyers if they offerend a non-turbo engine that got mid 30's. I don't really care about the 5 door model. I think there is a shortage of options in the 3 door market.
I currently drive an '04 Civic hatch about 75 miles a day. 90% of my driving is by myself, so the coupe is exactly what I need. But I would like a 'premium hatch' - something that I can enjoy and be comfortable in on my commute to work. But not sub 30 mpg premium. If I have to drive so much, I would like to do it in a car that I like, but at the same time, not have to burn $50 worth of gas a week. My Civic Si falls a tad short on that front.
The C30's got it whipped hands down, but the Civic has the efficiency by a hair. If the Volvo returned 35 mpg on the highway, I'd go sign up for one today.
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Austin 5:53PM (10/29/2007)
The V50 is a long wagon while this would be a 5 door hatch. Think the last Ford Focus. So they would go to different niches of the market.
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volvfan88 8:26PM (10/29/2007)
This is one of the best ideas Volvo has had in a long time. Volvo has the cache and fame to be equivalent to Audi, but without the rear wheel, or rear bias AWD system, Volvo will lack sum what in performance. Volvo needs to revamp their lineup with mid of the German machines.
C30 rival the coming A1/A2
C50 rival the A3
C70 rival the A5
S60 rival the A4
S80 rival the A6
V50 rival the A4 avant
V70 rival the A6 avant
XC60 rival the Q5
XC90 rival the Q7
Now there is some market gaps here and this is what Volvo needs a large sedan 5m car, a large estate to keep with volvo tradition, a large convertible also, a small two seater roadster, and a real sports coupe.
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zoldfulu 4:41AM (10/30/2007)
You missed the S40 from the lineup, and I think that’s the biggest mistake. The S04 has the size of some of the most successful cars of 10 years ago. The A4 adn co grew extremely, only at BMW did they understand, that neither the road, nor the parking places grew along. With an A4, You need a second car to go to town, bec. you wont find a parking place. Otherwise, I also agree, that Volvo is going to have the most competitive lineup against he German premium manufacturers. From 1er to the X5, Volvo can offer a competitive (although completely different) car. Only the luxury 7er and the Mini is out of the Volvo range. But axing the S40 is the biggest mistake Volvo an do. It should make the S60 a bit bigger, and keep the S40's size for the 3rd generation...