Swedish design company, Vizualtech Design, unleashed their conceptual engineering prowess on the newest, smallest addition to Volvo’s lineup, and the result is…interesting. A 2009 Volvo C30 at its core, the Vizualtech C30 Racer has been outfitted with a massive rear spoiler, bulging side-sills, a chunky rear-diffuser, and a heavy-duty front spoiler designed specifically to improve downforce. Simply a design firm and thus lacking the resources to breathe life into any such ambitious project, Vizualtech’s C30 racer is merely a rendering of what a DTM or Le Mans-ready C30 could look like if ever manufactured. While undeniably an impressive ride, we hope that should the Vizualtech C30 Racer dream ever be realized, someone takes the initiative to swap out the C30’s 227-horsepower turbocharged 5-banger with an engine that could actually generate enough downforce to necessitate the need for that massive front spoiler (no offense Volvo, you know we love you).

2009 Volvo C30 R-Design

With an eye toward injecting a bit of life into their flat-lining existence, Volvo is testing the waters to see if a fully packaged S80 R-Design will take with consumers. Whether that happens or not will depend on if owners are willing to do without performance upgrades to the typical R-Design trimmings.

2009 Volvo S40 R-Design

Volvo has shifted away from true “R” badged vehicles that had both aesthetic and performance upgrades, to “R-Design” models which are mostly eye candy only. So while an elevated S80 may not come to fruition, at the very least, Volvo-lovers can be content with a new R-Design interior package for the S80 that will be made available next year. Clues as to what they may entail were given last month when Volvo unveiled their XC60 R-Design. In addition to an aggressive styling treatment, the XC60 receives a stiffer chassis and more direct steering.

XC60 R-Design

Differences between the standard XC60 and R-Design model include side skirts and front and rear fascias painted the same color as the body, and side mirrors and exterior trim in a matte metal finish. XC60 R-Design models also receive polished 18-inch aluminum wheels standard, with optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the R-Design model adds aluminum trim on the center console, door moldings, brake and accelerator pedals, and the steering wheel. A two-tone interior in either beige or black is standard on sport bucket seats in front.

2010 Volvo XC60 R-Design

Likely S80 modifications would include a rear spoiler, sportier fascia, and sill extensions for more sport sedan styling.

Scheduled to debut next to the refreshed 2010 Volvo C70 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Volvo C30 R Design is a unique combination of upcoming trends and everything. Ford has done little to conceal their displeasure with Volvo’s market performance, yet they fail to take any substantial action to reverse the downward trend. Unlike the R badging of the 90’s and early 00’s, the new R-Design is nothing more than a sporty package designed to capture the attention of the flighty, easily-distracted younger demographic.
Once upon a time, if a Volvo 850R or S60R pulled up next to you at the light, you were about 4 seconds away from being dusted by the most serious sleeper in the industry. Both the 850R (1995-1997) and its successor, the S60R (2003-2007), were equipped with a low-pressure turbo I-5 capable of cranking out 240 hp/221 lb-ft and 300 hp/300 lb-ft (respectively) and had more street cred than Heavy D. The R Design, which is available as an upgrade package for the current-gen C30, S40, and S60, is nothing like the R of legends told. The only nod to performance is made through a body kit and some polished sport exhaust pipes, the engines are the same as those found on the base models. The new R Design blatantly favors style over substance which, surprisingly enough, Volvo has no compunction admitting. From the official press release: “The R-Design appeals to the discerning younger customer segment that is looking for a personalised car with an exclusive, sporty nature. At the same time, R-Design has become a way for Volvo Cars to boost the company’s attractiveness as a brand and to enhance a more emotive connection to its products. And customer surveys show that this strategy is paying off.” To put it simply, they are employing a variation of the same market philosophy currently used by Scion: “Give them enough shiny objects and they probably won’t notice they could tear more ass in a Honda Odyssey.”