Volvo Introduces Production Version of C30 Hatchback

Dedrick Fuhrmann

Volvos Own Hot Hatch?

Hatchbacks are more popular than ever. With more people seemingly crowding our cities every day and less gas then ever before, the small and practical three- and five-doored cars simply make sense. And with predictable offerings from Volkswagen in the shape of the newly renamed Rabbit and legendary GTI, plus the upcoming Honda Civic hatchback bolstering the so-called hot hatch segment, the small-car scene is rife with offerings that are both sensible and fun. But surprise, surprise… now theres another one from a very unlikely source: Volvo.

Known for producing some of the safest cars on the planet, most of Volvos offerings havent been exactly thrilling. Even their most performance-oriented models; the R series, arent designed to go directly up against the uber-cars produced by their German competitors and their various tuning branches. But while Volvo may never build an M5-beater, they may now have a real honest-to-goodness hot hatch contender on their hands with the introduction of the new C30 hatchback.

Based on the C30 Design Concept, the new hatchback looks the part. Starting with the traditional Volvo rectangular grille that takes up a prominent position on the cars front end and is flanked by a pair of low, wide angled headlights that make the car look both unique and yet distinctly sporty, not to mention European, a steeply raked windshield leads to the very graceful sloping roofline (arguably the best in the business), and provides a frame for the upside-down-boat shaped windows. Below those windows on each side is the traditional Volvo shoulderline; aggressive, wide and very pronounced on the C30, they end abruptly at the tail, forming the majority of each taillight. The effect is awesome, and when combined with the all-glass rear hatch, the back end looks stunningly sporty, with dual exhaust finishing off the look.

Of course, no hot hatch would be complete if it only looked fast, therefore Volvo has given the C30 a little eco-friendly muscle to back up its styling. While the base 2.4L 5-cylinder may not be a fire-breather at only 168 horsepower, the optional 2.5L turbo five should make for an exciting ride, given its rating of 218 horsepower. And while Volvo has yet to supply any performance figures for the smallest model in its lineup, the C30 Design Concept on which the production model is very closely based (sporting a 260 horsepower version of the same 2.5L turbo five-cylinder motor) managed to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 6 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Combine that impressive performance with four full-sized seats, luxurious appointments (not to mention Volvos very stylish signature interior design), plus the brands legendary high levels of safety, and the C30 should be a popular model.

Volvo hopes to sell 65,000 C30s per year, making up a large portion of the Swedish brands goal of 600,000 cars annually. As the President and CEO of Volvo Cars; Fredrik Arp commented, “The new C30 is a cool car.” We agree.