Autoblog

click above image for high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 Efficiency

In the wake of rapidly diminishing sales of large and not-particularly fuel efficient cars, Volvo is doing what only seems rational: introducing smaller vehicles with more fuel efficient engines. The company reportedly has plans to introduce three new diesel powered vehicles by the fall. We are unclear on where Volvo intends to target with its little green men cars besides emerging markets such as China and Russia, but we'd love to see some more stylish and fuel efficient options in the U.S. It's too early to speculate on what vehicles Volvo is referring to, but that's never stopped us before. The C30 is currently the Swedish automakers smallest vehicle and at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Volvo showed off its C30 Efficiency concept. We'd say that the timing certainly appears right for a production version of just such a machine. After all, who wouldn't appreciate the 52.26 miles per gallon from its 105 horsepower 1.6L turbodiesel engine?


[Source: Just-Auto - sub. required]

Click above for a photo galllery of Skruffse's RWD C30

While Volvo's C30 has wily charms in its stock configuration, we could see how it'd be even more entertaining with the power being sent to the proper wheels. While we're talking revisions, a honkingly large turbocharger and external-reservoir dampers would be welcome additions, too. The race-ready ride height is dead sexy, and while it's a crazy thing to do to a perfectly good brand new Volvo, Sweden's Skruffse has carried out some beautiful fabrication work. The use is obviously racing of some sort, and with wide tires at all four corners we're surmising that it's something that involves turning, versus drag racing. Seeing this car's tow rig - a first-generation V70, it all comes together -- those willing to strip the C30 down like a stolen Pinto and rejigger the chassis are true Volvo nuts. We're pretty sure the warranty has been voided, though.


[Source: CarScoop]

Click above to view the rest of these crazy Swedish exterior designs

Looking at the pictures above and in our gallery below, you may think that Volvo has either totally lost it or forgot that April Fools Day is on the first of the month. But we're assured this is real and even visited Volvo's official Swedish media site for verification. Beginning on April 7th, Volvo C30 owners in Sweden can completely change the character of their car by ordering one of 20 different nonpermanent films that safely adhere to the exterior of their hatches. The designs are outlandish to say the least and include everything from mock woodie panels to zebra stripes to pink camo to gay pride colors (probably an unintended association for that last one, but it works). The film, which in some cases appears to cover every exterior surface, is guaranteed not to hurt the paint, but actually protect it for up to two years when it's time to replace the film. It is an investment though at the equivalent of $3,130 USD, which is probably more than what it would cost to have the car custom painted with any of these designs. But then it couldn't be removed when you wise up and realize your car looks absolutely ridiculous.


[Source: Volvo via CarScoop]

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 R-Design

Following up on our story about the Volvo C30 R-Design at the New York Auto Show, Volvo announced pricing today for its sporty hatchback tunerish trim level. MSRP will be $25,700, plus destination charges of $745. Doing simple math, you can put one of these hot turbocharged Swedes in your garage at a base price of $26,445. Of course, most of you will want to add available goodies such as the DVD-based navigation, bi-xenon headlights, or the Dynaudio premium sound system...and they'll cost you extra, which will balloon the price into what many consider too dear for a Swedish hatchback.

If a cosmetically-enhanced C30 is just your thing, however, we suggest you act fast. With a production run limited to just 400 examples, the exclusive R-Design will probably roll quickly out of showrooms starting in April.

[Source: Volvo Cars of North America]

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Volvo C30 R-Design

Volvo directed its efforts at the New York Auto Show toward debuting the XC60 SUV for North America, but quietly standing sentinel at the front of the display was the C30 R-Design. There's not much to complain about when you gaze upon any C30, though the R-Design trimmings offer sprinkles on the cupcake. The cars will be exclusive, with oly 400 hitting showrooms in April for a base price of $25,700. The easiest way to spot the special Swedish hatches will be the metallic mirror housings, grille and grille crossbar. There's also a subtle R-Design badge affixed to the grille to identify the car as something just a little special. Special paint colors will also set off the R-Design cars, and the body kit-equipped car we photographed shined resplendently in Black Sapphire. Interior changes consist of blue-faced gauges like the actual high-performance S60R (RIP) and R-Design logos embossed into the leather inserts on the seats and metal accent bits around the cabin. The R-Design cars are more style than substance, but the exclusivity will be of value to buyers who like to have something special, and the T5 powertrain that all U.S.-bound C30s carry offers snappy performance already.

Click above for high-res gallery of our time with the 2008 Volvo C30

We've been told for so long that hatches don't sell here in the U.S., so it's surprising to see a new crop of two-box premium cars going on sale. MINI started it with its R53 Coopers; retro flash met modern dash and it sold successfully enough to warrant an upgrade to the R56. Volvo's got the same lust for entry-level customers to its premium wares, so on the scene rolls the C30. Based off the S40, the C30 reaches back over three generations of boxy-but-good styling to a time when Swedish cars wearing the alchemist's symbol for iron had curves and a shooting brake profile. Hatch/wagon/brake/estate - call it what you will, Volvo's hoping it can call the C30 a success.


All photos ©2008 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.

We recently got confirmation from a Volvo PR person that the Swedish automaker's new C30 hatchback will soon be joined by a V30 five-door wagon. Just-Auto.com is going one step further by reporting that Volvo will also add a new XC CUV model to its lineup based on the C30 hatch to be called, not unsurprisingly, the XC30. Presumably it will also be a five-door model with all-wheel-drive that's jacked up off the ground a bit.

The burgeoning of Volvo's 30 series of cars will come at the expense of the S40 sedan, which will be merged with the larger S60 eventually creating a common mid-size sedan likely to retain the S60 name. The new S60 won't get a V-named wagon counterpart, however, which would be too close in concept to Volvo's standalone V70 and XC70 models. Do expect, however, an XC60 CUV model to be based on the XC60 Concept that debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit last January.

Finally, as we recently reported, rumors of the larger XC90's demise have been exaggerated and Volvo's largest SUV is expected to get a refresh soon and a full-on replacement eventually. Clearly, however, Volvo sees future profits by filling out its small car lineup with versions of the C30 hatchback that will sell well all over the world, and not just the U.S.

[Source: Just-Auto.com]

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!

Could premium small cars be the next hot segment? Things appear to be heating up with the MINI being joined by the Volvo C30 and word of another Swede stepping into the fray. Saab will unveil its Delta platform-based 9-1 at the 2008 London Motor Show and it will be available for purchase in late 2009. Nondefinitive descriptors provided by Saab assure us that the 9-1 will be dramatically styled with an iconic shape. There had been some attention paid to a high-roof small CUV idea, but Saab asserts the 9-1 will be sporty in that Saab way, though it will have the functionality younger buyers are looking for.

Rather than pile on to the CUV segment, Saab could cash in some retro love and still make a very Saaby and useful car that doesn't put on truck airs. The Saab 99 of the 1970s could provide some inspiration for the 9-1, resulting in a car that doesn't occupy a lot of space, but can swallow a refrigerator. Look to the 9-3X and 9X for hints about what the car might actually look like.

[Source: Autocar]

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.]