Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Hatchbacks, Volvo, UK
Volvo developing 300-hp C30 with AWD
Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 R-Design
Rumors of a new Volvo hot hatch have gotten hot again with talk of a new 300-horsepower C30 for Europe. According to reports, the new model would be powered by the same 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder turbo engine that powers the new Ford Focus RS. One difference between the two cars, which share a similar platform, is that the Swedish beauty would be offered with a Haldex all-wheel drive system in contrast to the Blue Oval's torque-steer inducing front-engine, front-drive layout. Larger 20-inch wheels ought to fill out the arches quite nicely, and a special body kit should bring the whole look closer to the tarmac. To keep demand high, Volvo may limit the new model to 4,500 units worldwide, though we have no idea where it will offer the hatch besides the U.K. Considering that the Swedish automaker has diluted its R-nameplate, we're also not certain what this performance-minded C30 will be called, but we're sure it'll be the most fun we've had in a Volvo for quite a long time.
Gallery: Volvo C30 R-Design
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pokey 1:38PM (9/30/2008)
I want one!!!
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kld04g 1:43PM (9/30/2008)
This should be interesting, especially coming from Volvo which IMO has good looks, just not a lot of performance.
Keep the price down and the mpg decent and it will sell
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JD 4:18PM (9/30/2008)
Their styling is decent, but I think they fell short of completing the C30 properly..... the very slick back end is let down by the totally traditional Volvo front end. I think if they make a 300 horse version, they should give it a mild facelift to make it stand out from all the other volvos in the lineup. It just looks so typical in the front. Just my $0.02.
geo.stewart 1:48PM (9/30/2008)
we're sure it'll be the most fun we've had in a Volvo for quite a long time.
READ: the most fun I've had with a catholic school teacher in a long time...
except the original 850R Wagon and the recent S60R (before they took the meat away), there isnt really 'fun' to be had in a Volvo. good cars, awesome safety, but not 'fun'
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Adam Marcello 1:52PM (9/30/2008)
This would get me into a volvo showroom, pending the curb weight isnt so high that the 300hp goes to waste.
The c30 is the best looking volvo theyve ever styled and its nice to see they are gonna give it some balls.
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Dasupersprint 1:57PM (9/30/2008)
Limited to 4500 units worldwide??
That means we'll see Ferrari F430s more often than these!
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Eddie 2:06PM (9/30/2008)
I already see more F430s than i do C30s. I haven't seen a C30 in months.
Kitko 2:02PM (9/30/2008)
C30 and Focus share the platform also with Mazda 3 which WAS available as a AWD (haldex-style) on JDM for a few years, in fact, it AWD versions were dropped out from the Mazda3 Japanese line-up just few months ago. (Further hint would be CX-7's platform derrived from Mazda3's).
A guesstimate would be that the same chassis will be used in C30, since Volvo is hardly in position to go solo on development nowadays and Ford doesn't do AWD in this category.
So this may not necessarily be a development, perhaps just puting together Mazda's chassis, Ford's engine and Volvo's body in order to spice up ailling Volvo.
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Mirko 5:40PM (9/30/2008)
Don't think so complicated. Volvo's own S40 and V50 are on the same platform and are available with Haldex-style AWD. German Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv sells AWD conversion kits for the C30, consisting of unmodified Volvo spare parts.
John 11:01AM (10/01/2008)
One minor correction it would be "Mazda's chassis, VOLVO's engine and Volvo's body in order to spice up ailling Volvo"
;-)
bigbear7787 2:04PM (9/30/2008)
F$@K YEAH
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ryan 2:09PM (9/30/2008)
and i was just debating getting a new car (granted i've said this a lot and haven't done anything about it, but whatevs!). i'll take one with the overseas delivery please!
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Capone 2:10PM (9/30/2008)
Bring it to the USA, ill trade my EVO X GSR for one.
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Jrejre 2:30PM (9/30/2008)
4500? Isn't that more C30s than have been sold in the US total?
Anyway, this is the only Volvo I've ever really liked and looks much better in person. Unfortunately it's too expensive for what it is and I'd imagine this 300hp one will be really expensive.
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Falcom 2:46PM (9/30/2008)
since when is ford a Swedish automaker?
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steve 2:50PM (9/30/2008)
c30 is ugly as a dog's but,,,,but i would totally rock that
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Alex 3:00PM (9/30/2008)
FOr the few I've seen they are one of the best looking cars on the road unfortunately the price is too high. Bring it here, keep the price down and the fun factor high and I may have my next car. A convertible of this car would also be fun and get some more attention.
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simianspeedster 3:22PM (9/30/2008)
Even if Volvo makes this car, which I believe is doubtful given their abandonment of the performance-oriented R line, the chance that it will come to America is very, very low.
The C30 does not sell well in America as is, so how would a $35K (my guess) R30 sell any better? Volkswagen's R32 already occupied this space and the 2nd version sold more slowly than the first from what I've seen and heard. Audi has also failed to bring the (kick ass) S3 to America for the same reasons.
Having driven one of the final R70s, I wouldn't buy one of these anyhow -- weird handling, rough engine and an ineffective AWD system (I could go into more detail, but Haldex + turbo makes for some jerky power transfer).
As much as I always root for performance cars, bringing this to America would be a bad move for Volvo when they're already struggling.
-SimianSpeedster
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Derrick 3:55PM (9/30/2008)
I didn't even read the article yet. I just saw the headline. Where do I put my deposit down?
MONTE 4:22PM (9/30/2008)
Does it roll over through the corners like a dog wanting its belly scratched like most Volvos do? I don't care for the Haldex AWD setup and would most likely prefer a FWD, but hey that's just me.
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