Refreshed Volvo C30 peeks out ahead of Frankfurt
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Sep 8th 2009 at 12:31PM 
2010 Volvo C30 - Click above for high-res image gallery
As expected, Volvo will do the nip tuck on its entry-level model, the C30 hatchback, for the 2010 model year. The first official pictures and an accompanying press release have just been unleashed ahead of the car's upcoming debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and, not surprisingly, the updates focus mainly on the front and rear fascias and closely mirror the modifications made to the C70 hardtop convertible.
Up front, an interesting mixture of sharp angles and creases join organic shapes and headlamps that are stretched well back into the fenders. Prominent badging puts Volvo's iron mark front and center in the shapely new grille. At the rear, the brand name is spelled out in larger script on the C30's trademark glass hatchback.
Besides the refreshed appearance, the 2010 C30 will also sport a bevy of new color options, including an Espresso/Blond interior combination. Chassis mods start and end with an available Sports package that lowers the car by 10 millimeters, adds stiffer bushings, dampers and stabilizer bars and a quicker steering ratio. Want more? Check out our gallery below and hit the jump for the U.K. press release.
Gallery: 2010 Volvo C30
[Source: Volvo]
PRESS RELEASE:
THE NEW VOLVO C30 SPORTSCOUPE
* New front and rear design
* Introduction of the new Sports chassis
* New accessory styling kit
* Extensive range of options, bold colours and accessories
Volvo Car UK has announced first details of the new Volvo C30 SportsCoupe. Offering a radical new frontal and rear appearance and available with an all-new Sports chassis, the new C30 looks set to capitalise on the success of its predecessor. The new Volvo C30 will be unveiled to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go into production this November.
Major exterior changes
The front of the Volvo C30 has been redesigned giving the car a radical new appearance. Body panel changes, including the wings and bonnet, create a distinctive personality whilst closely aligning it to the S60 Concept and recently announced new C70.
"The front of the Volvo C30 has become more dramatic and expressive. The angled lines of the front bumper together with the new headlamps, which are drawn offset and up, reinforce the impression of speed and sportiness," says Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.
In the grille sits the new, larger iron mark, as seen in the rest of the Volvo range. The air intake has also been enlarged and resembles the intake in the XC60. The grille also has a new honeycomb pattern, unique to the C30.
Although the biggest design changes have taken place at the front, the rear also sports a similar range of updates, including a new colour-coded rear valance that is available in body colour or, to add a dramatic twist, in a contrasting colour.
Other new exterior features include the introduction of a vibrant Orange Flame Metallic colour, visible exhaust tailpipes in the T5 and D5 models, two new wheel options, including a striking white wheel alternative and the choice of five different colours on the lower trim from the new C30 Contrast Colour Collection, such as Blackcurrant, Java and Shadow Blue.
New expressive accessory styling kit
A new accessory styling kit has been introduced to give the Volvo C30 even more sporting attitude. The kit includes foglamp décor, a front skidplate, side scuff plates and a rear skidplate with an aluminium look. For D5 and T5 variants, two 90 mm tail pipes in polished stainless steel are added to highlight the powerful engine.
Matching interior updates
The new Volvo C30 also offers a range of new interior options. There is now an all-new colour combination, Espresso/Blond, consisting of a dark brown upper section and a blond, fresh shade on the lower door sides. The blond tone is a grey/beige colour and is an expression of Volvo's strong Scandinavian design tradition. The Espresso/Blond interior gives customers the opportunity to specify the new, bright accent colours which include orange, green and blue in the fabrics, as well as a new Cranberry colour for leather upholstery.
"We want to give customers the opportunity to decide for themselves what their car looks like. The new C30 gives them a range of fresh, modern style cues in terms of colour and fabric to choose between," explains Maria Uggla, Program Chief Designer Colour & Trim at Volvo Cars.
New Sport chassis
To compliment the Volvo C30's new dynamic style, an optional Sports chassis will be available which gives the C30 a significantly sharper ride. The introduction of the Sports chassis means the car is lowered by 10 millimetres, resulting in a lower centre of gravity enhancing the driving characteristics. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings. The steering ratio is lower, giving a 10 percent faster response to steering wheel input. Spring stiffness has been increased by 30 percent to deliver a more dynamic ride. The dampers too are stiffer and are designed to build up pressure more quickly. The roll stabilizers are also stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when cornering. The new sport chassis is available as an option in all C30 variants except with the 1.6D DRIVe with Start/Stop. (More information on the new Sport chassis to follow).
Drivelines
The new Volvo C30 will be available with a wide range of drivelines, including the new 1.6D DRIVe with Start/Stop which offers impressively low fuel consumption.
Further pricing and specification details
Full details, including prices and specification, will be released closer to the on-sale date. First vehicles are expected to be in showrooms and delivered to customers in early 2010.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
JDM Life 12:32PM (9/08/2009)
Its alright but that interior looks horrible.
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Fernando 1:55PM (9/08/2009)
I think you have it backwards. The interior is nice, the exterior looks like a futuristic Ford Pinto or AMC Gremlin.
Jared 8:33PM (9/08/2009)
Why are all the automakers putting these nasty squared plastic surrounds around foglights? Mazda has them, Lexus has them on some new models, and now Volvo. I've also seen them on some Honda's (the new cross over), and Fords. I am personally not a fan of it and wish the person signing them off would stop. Take a note from the GT2's Fog lights for a good design.
Monkaroo 12:38PM (9/08/2009)
The interior still needs a refresh from the sheer plainess. Nice nose job though!
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2.7tt 12:38PM (9/08/2009)
I like the front end and mid body, not a huge fan of the back. but overall, i like the refreshening
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retsel 2:06PM (9/08/2009)
I see a lil Mazda 3 in this...
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Mike 1:17PM (9/08/2009)
Was thinking the same thing. It's been Mazdafied, only in a less goofy looking manner.
My_SS_RX8 11:55AM (9/09/2009)
Late to this party but I did a quick photochop of the front end. On the Volvo ¾ front end view I removed the license plate and without changing the general shape of the grill opening, I enlarged it to down to within 2 inches of the top of the lower air intake. Then slightly reshaped the fog lamp area by making it a bit smaller and less stretched at the top left. I also slightly reduced the headlamp size...and wa la.... it is similar to a Mazda RX 8 circa 2004-2007. Even to the similarity of the black chicken wire grid work in the grill, so Ford, Mazda, Volvo all family ties. I like the C30 size and concept, if I ever traded my RX8 the C30 R is one i'd look at.
Kevin 12:39PM (9/08/2009)
D'oh! I should've waited before I bought my 2008 C30. Oh well, something to look forward to as a replacement I guess. Looks great!
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nardvark 1:41PM (9/08/2009)
Hey, I'll buy your used 2008 when you're ready to upgrade. I can't afford a new one but would love to own one of the current models when they because 3-4 years old.
Aprime 12:39PM (9/08/2009)
Do want.
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Randy915 4:39PM (9/08/2009)
Wait for the R Design model, should be schweeet.
gus 12:41PM (9/08/2009)
Does it really need a skidplate in the front? its not an offroader for crying out loud
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zamafir 12:41PM (9/08/2009)
I wish they'd decide what kind of headlights they wanted, it seems like there was a compromise between amore angular audi style and more swept back almost infiniti look, so they cut both options in half and brought them together.
Other then that, a nice refresh.
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AndrewNoNumbers 5:46PM (9/08/2009)
Yeah that's something I don't like either. The shape's got a bit too much to it.
Jason 12:46PM (9/08/2009)
i like the exterior updates. oddly, i like this car a lot (my style is more the 2-seater sports coupe. 370z is my daily, but i'd rock this).
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James 2:12PM (9/08/2009)
I totally agree.
This is a very welcome facelift and actually makes the car worth owning now. I'd totally rock it, too.
There is one problem I have with this car...
I like it, yes, but...
More than a top-of-the-line Mazda 3? Probably not.
More than an Audi A3? Certainly not.
More than a BMW 1-series? Heavens no.
And so while Volvo makes a compelling case, there's still something intangible missing for me vs. the competition. I'll wait for a complete redesign!
Diego3336 12:47PM (9/08/2009)
Well, now it's ugly in both ends...
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Farmboy 12:48PM (9/08/2009)
The exterior is absolutely incredible. Excellent little coupe. The interior needs a working though. It looks like the center console comes with a built-in remote control from the 90s. Just oversimplified. It needs a readjustment. Other than that, it is a great car.
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once loved cars 12:48PM (9/08/2009)
this is on a mazda 3/focus chassis, right?
what engines?
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