Volvo C30 taking shape

This spy shot of the Volvo C30, which was introduced as a concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, shows the Swedish company's premium hatchback nearly naked in the snow. What's obvious is the C30 borrows heavily from the S40 small sedan from the A-pillar forward. According to Auto Express that sharing also extends inside the engine bay. The C30's rear, however, recalls the sloping glass hatch of the early-Seventies P1800ES (shown above). The interior of the C30 will also borrow heavily from the S40, including the sedan's floating center console.

Auto Express also expects a C30 R performance derivitive, at least for Europe, which will include a 260-bhp 2.4L turbocharged inline five-cylinder, 19-inch wheels, a stiffer suspension and Brembo brakes.

We'll be at the Paris Auto Show in September for the production version's official debut, but check out our recent review of the Volvo S40 T5 AWD to get a glimpse of what the C30 might be like when it arrives.

In the Autoblog Garage 2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD Day 1-2
In the Autoblog Garage 2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD Day 3-4
In the Autoblog Garage 2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD Day 5

[Source: Auto Express]