Mere minutes after receiving word that Volvo would begin producing the C30 hatch, we've been speculating about the possibility of a performance version that would evolve the stylish three-door into a GTI competitor. The announcement that Ford is developing a new Focus RS has given us even more reason to be hopeful. Pure speculation and performance prognostication says that the 2.5-liter turbocharged mill shouldn't be an issue since it's already fitted into the C30 and its platform siblings, the Focus ST and S40, plus, all-wheel-drive could be part of the equation.
A 300 hp C30R has the potential of joining the Mazdaspeed3 as another way of satiating our desire for a hot Focus, and if the price, we're smelling a hit.
[Source: Swedespeed]
Thanks for the tip, Paul!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rogue_G @ Dec 20th 2007 10:16AM
So, this is all dry-hump speculation at this point, right?
...
If it takes Volvo to bring the Focus RS overseas, Ford really, really suck.
clevershark @ Dec 20th 2007 10:16AM
The 2.5T engine doesn't develop anywhere near 300bhp... and it's a waste putting more than 250bhp or so on a FWD car. Or is this yet another hot AWD car with a souped-up engine that we North Americans just aren't going to get?..
Lack @ Dec 20th 2007 10:19AM
In Europe, C30 is already available with a 2.5l engine producing 230hp.
Trevor Klein @ Dec 20th 2007 11:07AM
The 2.5l 5 Cylinder turbo has already been tuned to 300hp and 296lbs of torque. It was the powerplant Volvo used in the S60R for 04-07. Granted it was a worked 2.5l, but it was the 2.5l nonetheless.
Paul @ Dec 20th 2007 12:18PM
you are correct - there will be little to no issue getting the C30 up to those numbers
Neil Schelly @ Dec 20th 2007 11:13AM
Volvo made it pretty clear they were going to stop making the 'R' cars and instead making R packages for cars that were appearance-only. It's a shame, since I would love to have seen an AWD C30R or a V50R along the lines of what they showed at the various tuner shows before launching the V50. I tend to think the S60R and V70R were such hard sells because they were really too big and heavy to appeal to the market they were aimed at.
-N
Zane @ Dec 20th 2007 11:19AM
Closest competitor to the GTI? The MINI JCW CooperS and MSpeed 3 are better handling cars IMHO.
Chase @ Dec 20th 2007 7:54PM
The MS3 doesn't have the european styling. The Cooper S doesn't have the utility. The C30 has both. The biggest difference in the C30 is that two doors is the only option -- otherwise, its basically the same package (disregarding of cost).
chemistrusaz @ Dec 20th 2007 11:49AM
Wait, wait I thought about 2 or 3 months ago Volvo said they would do away with the R version cause it cost to much. Meaning we can not compete so we quit. Now they are bring it back that was a quick turn around.
the marais @ Dec 20th 2007 11:56AM
Wow, as if the base C30 did not already price its targeted demographic out of the market. 28K for a car with a few options and without leather? The C30R would probably be in the mid-30s. Not all of us can be doctors.
shadysi @ Dec 20th 2007 1:01PM
If they made the R AWD and kept it in the mid 30's, they wodld be sitting with the EVO and STi, which wouldn't be such a bad place with around 300HP.
Paul @ Dec 20th 2007 12:17PM
It'll end up with about 285 HP - 300 Torque - AWD.
It'll be called an R and will come fully loaded in the mid 30s.
BTW - Volvo never said that the R was done for good as a performance model - they simply announced the end of the S60R and V70R.
Bob @ Dec 20th 2007 12:22PM
Two words: Fact Check
The 2.5L inline 5 cylinder turbo is already in the C30 T5. This is a healthy little mill that, as previously mentioned, was the base powerplant for the vaunted S60R and V70R. Albeit, the C30 mill is pushing only around 7 psi of boost compared to the R which runs around 15 psi and has less aggressive internals. This is also the powerplant for the S40 T5 and in that application we are already seeing horsepower tickling the 300hp range with the standard upgrades of downpipe, exhaust, intake, ECU, boost and intercooler. It's a great motor and with a little work really brings the C30 to life.
Louis Duran @ Dec 20th 2007 3:53PM
Yet another cool Euro-only hatchback... sigh.