2010 Volvo C70 drops its guard ahead of Frankfurt unveiling
by Michael Harley on Sep 1st 2009 at 9:58AM 
2010 Volvo C70 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Volvo still hasn't released an official press release to accompany them, but it would appear that genuine pics of the facelifted C70 have hit the streets regardless. Set to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, the reskinned convertible hardtop seems as if it has been spending some late evenings with the S60 Concept that debuted in Detroit earlier this year.
The fresh new look, including swept-back headlights and a larger trademark iron mask, is a further departure from the automaker's (now long ago) boxy past. At the back, a new rear lamp design includes today's obligatory stylish LED lighting, a reshaped bumper, and more pronounced "Volvo" badging on the trunk decklid.
While the exterior has taken a giant leap forward, the single interior shot inexplicably fails to reveal any changes whatsoever.
What we don't know is what resides under the hood, so Volvo may still have a few secrets to reveal in the next couple weeks.
Gallery: 2010 Volvo C70
[Source: Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FThorn 10:04AM (9/01/2009)
Why do people continue to allow perfectly good designs to be Fd-UP by license plates? Especially front license plates. Get RID OF THEM. Don't photograph cars with license plates.
License plates were enacted by (now) DEAD GUYS! Why follow what some 'tard decided to do when your grandparents were kids?
Take back automotive rights! F the license plates! (They track us with our cell phones anyways)
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Blake Luttrell 10:08AM (9/01/2009)
....the hell?
AutoCritical 11:09AM (9/01/2009)
I know what you mean. At the same time, they do help people envisage owning the actual vehicle. They should also design cars without plates and just place the plates on almost as an after thought... perhaps to show that its not a focal point of the design (eg. Alfa Romeo front ends)
But about the Volvo, it has a tight and tough looking ride. It’s not aggressive, but still knows how to assert itself. I like how the front is more wrapped around with its drawn back headlamps that elongate the nose. The tall body side emphasizes a more desirable small DLO opening which I think really fits in with this type of car.
Around to the rear it seems like an extrusion of the body side profile, that’s just been chopped off. I guess it is very ‘Swedish’ with their laminated veneer timber designs – it is a similar principal.
I detailed some of this on the pictures at http://bit.ly/obLwT
click.kas 5:37PM (9/01/2009)
the c70's front resembles that of a s2000. recent volvos have no character and are less interesting. volvo should make more cars like the xc90 .
http://www.indianautotalk.com
mboyadjis 10:05AM (9/01/2009)
another bland interior from Volvo with too much form over function.
the exterior, however, I find to be a welcome change in the right direction for Volvo. Move away from those ugly boxy wagons of yesteryear...
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John 10:23AM (9/01/2009)
This is actually a nice progressive step forward... and I love the new throwback badging Volvo has brought back on the trunks of their lineup. I'll be curious to see how they integrate this new C70 and XC60 design into the 40/50/80 models.
Paul 10:51AM (9/01/2009)
the interior does not look like much - but drive one and you will fall in love with it.
it really is very well designed for driver interaction.
Sam 12:20PM (9/01/2009)
As a '09 C70 owner I beg to differ. The Volvo offers all the same features as an Audi (which feels like they threw out the usability book and decided to bring in "new blood" for no good reason) or BMW (which just feels cheap in comparison to the Volvo).
The Volvo has the best leather of the 3 *by far*. The simplest controls *by far*. No stupid computer for it's own sake. I want my car to be a car, not a moving computer lab. I work with computers all day. I want my car to be simple. As complex as necessary and no more.
Plus the waterfall console in the C70 is the best iteration of it since there's a bit more room behind it.
Climate control: 1 knob for fan (push for auto), 1 knob for temp.
Stereo (the best in the biz :-p): 1 knob for tuning, 1 knob for volume.
Sure there are some dual-purpose radio channel memory buttons/phone pad, but come on, it's a phone pad. It might look a bit busy, but it doesn't get more functional than that.
The car has 4 cup-holders, and 4 good sized storage bins. The open storage cubby behind the console, and storage in the arm-rest. A simple, attractive driver's display (riding standard motorcycles for years I find too much going on there just tacky and useless).
My only complaint about the interior is the rear seat-belt clips don't hold the damn things in and they'll be flapping on the high-way with the top down.
Other than the the interior is simple, attractive, and extremely comfortable. I'd be happy if they never changed it. It's evolutionary, based on 50+ years of what's known to work when it comes to basic controls in your auto. Not stupid gadgets.
Regarding the restyle though: The swept back headlights and extra curve make it look weird and stubby from the side. The A pillar is as long as the hood. A bit like a flattened bug. Not really an attractive update. The reverse lights looked better broken up a bit as well IMO, not as big white beams. And the 4 brake-lights were a more attractive design for the tail-lights as well.
I get that the C70 probably isn't doing Volvo any favors sales-wise and they needed to do something. It's just unfortunate.
wer 10:07AM (9/01/2009)
this car, revealed tree months ago :)
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/forum-spy-2010-volvo-c70-convertible-snapped-during-barcelona-c/
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Taglane 4:02PM (9/01/2009)
Funny you call that a reveal....
Protzenegger 10:20AM (9/01/2009)
Can't say I'm a huge fan of the slanty-eyed look. This thing looks like Joan Rivers.
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geo.stewart 2:07PM (9/01/2009)
I'm meellllttttiiiinnnnggg
previous form- excellent
upcoming S60- excellent
combining the two for a little 'transitional' look- horrific
DJ 10:26AM (9/01/2009)
Is it just me or does the sculpting below the headlights and grille give it a "droopy nose" look? Every other angle is great, it's just the frontend that bothers me.
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Alex Hobbs 11:48AM (9/01/2009)
I like the new front over the old one which was a little bland IMO, this is much more aggressive. I'm not surprised the interior is the same, tested one of these and at the time it was actually much nicer than a lot of the competition, especially with that very Swedish bent wood thing they have going on.
I have to say though something about it reminds me of the Pontiac G6, not sure if its the angle, the wheels, the color or the nose but I can't shake that image out of my head, I hope in person it reads differently.
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Alex Hobbs 12:31PM (9/01/2009)
Also I really like the trademark "volvo" across the backs of all their models, especially on the new wagons but its a little forced here, needs more room to breath. This is obviously a midcycle refresh where they are trying to apply a new design language to an older model. All these elements could still look great though on a totally new model, curious how it will all translate on the new S60.
Farmboy 12:42PM (9/01/2009)
The reason like Volvo and its convertibles is because they have such a masculine appeal to them. It is hard to find anymore but Volvo still has it.
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jmc8387 12:47PM (9/01/2009)
I think it looks good. Something to compete with the new Lexus IS C.
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essfuller 1:23PM (9/01/2009)
put the ecoboost family into the C70 and it will be my next car or at least the t6 please...please...
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ugg.tryptophan 2:12PM (9/01/2009)
this is not the volvo im looking for...
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Enlightened_One 2:37PM (9/01/2009)
It looks like they changed the material on the dash. I didn't like the old dash with it's pimply texture so that is a good thing to change. The wheels look very nice too. Volvo should of picked a better color to exhibit the car though. The new headlights look like they turn with the wheels now too.
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