The Volvo C30
The words “upscale” and “small hatchback” are not usually paired together in one car with any great success in North America. Perhaps the one perennially strong exception to this would be the VW GTI. Backed by a sturdy turbocharged engine and distinctive styling, the 2009 Volvo C30 attempts to appeal to those willing to pay a premium for those two things.
The base T5 includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a 50/50-split rear seat, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls and an eight-speaker CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack. The T5 R-Design trim level adds 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, specific exterior accents, cruise control, a 10-speaker surround-sound audio system, satellite radio, aluminum dash inlays and a watch-dial-inspired instrument panel. Other options include bi-xenon headlights, headlight washers, a hard-drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic, Bluetooth, a blind-spot warning system, power-retractable side mirrors, a sunroof, park distance control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, power front seats, heated seats and keyless ignition and a large selection of custom exterior colors, interior trim choices and wheel designs.
Although minor, the same criticisms that were raised last year are still present in this year’s model. The first is the comparatively small cargo area. Even by hatchback standards the 13 cubic feet with the seat up and 20 cubic feet with both lowered feels tight. Related to that is the back seat which sports two bucket seats over a bench layout, thereby at least giving the impression of a small interior cavity. In the C30’s defense, one could argue that attempting to shoehorn a third person into the rear seats of any hatchback is more of a pipedream. 
On the upside, (and on the outside), the C30 pulls off the Volvo “look” well and without looking like a cheap econo-box simply with Swedish badging. While the interior is tidy, it isn’t as polished as the GTI, perhaps on the sterile side and without the various technical accoutrements one would expect of a high-end hatch. Pricing for the C30 begins at $23,800 for the T5 and just under $26,000 for the R-Design. Those numbers look great in comparison to the GTI which starts at $23,230. But assuming even a modest amount of options are added, the Volvo quickly becomes a more expensive choice.

Volvo C30 Interior

Perhaps comparing it to the most famous hatchback of all time is unfair. In actuality the C30 is really a great car that does lots of things right and most importantly adheres to the tried and true Volvo way of doing things. Especially, for those that value Volvo’s reputation for safety and reliability the C30 scores well with consumers and critics by offering the prerequisite standard safety equipment that includes antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability control, traction control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front seats with whiplash protection. Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is optional.
It is not as much of a pocket rocket as the Mini or GTI, but it is still fun to drive and is perhaps the most mature hatchback on the market.

Muscular Volvo C30
The front-wheel drive C30 remains largely unchanged for 2009, which is not necessarily a bad thing. In both the T5 and R-Design trim levels, a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine is used to produce 227 horses and 236 pound-feet of torque with either a standard six-speed manual five-speed automatic. Respectably the C30 achieves a 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds with a manual transmission while maintaining an EPA estimated 19 mpg city and 28 mpg in highway driving. 

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.”

After weeks of depressing news regarding what was rapidly shaping up to be the inevitable sale (and subsequent death sentence) of Volvo to Chinese group Geely Automobile Holding, a faint ray of hope has emerged. According to reports, the U.S. based Crown consortium has secured funding from private investors and declared their intent to relieve the ailing Swedish subsidiary from Ford’s hands. Ironically enough, the Crown consortium is spearheaded by former Ford executives, Michael Dingman and Shamel Rushwin (also of Chrysler), though neither the group nor the purchase seem to have any apparent affiliation with the Blue Oval.
Aside from their expressed interest, the details of Crown’s bid are relatively scarce but sources have indicated the group is also procuring financial backing from Swedish investors, presumably with the promise that if the acquisition is successful, production will remain rooted firmly in Volvo’s motherland. The specific dollar amount the Crown consortium is offering has not been announced, but the same discreet messengers charged with leaking the initial information say that although the amount is notably less than Geely’s $2.5 billion, both Geely and Crown have outlined ownership plans that pledge an additional $3 billion investment into Volvo.
As of today, both Ford and Volvo have opted to remain tight-lipped on the matter but we expect more information to break as Ford’s year-end deadline to complete the sale approaches.
Editorial Note: In one of the articles used to compile this article, analyst Gregor Claussen of Commerzbank in Frankfurt told Forbes, “Having a U.S.-led consortium as a buyer might be charming to Americans, but Volvo being a small company needs economies of scale that Geely can provide.” While certainly a valid point from a financially shrewd perspective, what Claussen has obviously neglected to consider in his patronization of the Crown consortium’s bid is the rich lecherous history of the Chinese automotive industry and Ford’s interest in preserving their image. Unlike their Detroit brethren, the Ford Motor Company is controlled by the same family responsible for its foundation in 1903 and each major decision is carefully weighed against its potential to harm their meticulously maintained personal reputation. GM may have had no compunction whoring out Saab to the highest bidder (as evidence by Beijing’s recent purchase of the design and production rights to the Saab 9-5) or leaving their under-performing brands (and dealerships) to die an ugly, public death, but Ford has yet to stoop to such deplorable levels. If their ethos is to be believed, Ford is aware that the sale of Volvo to Geely would be a gross breach of both personal and professional ethics and would place their values no higher than those of the The General. So Claussan’s observation may be factually accurate, but Ford should know it isn’t right.

Volvo has unveiled its revised C30 and C30 DRIVe models this week showing all-new frontal styling, interior upgrades and a new look rear on both exciting models.

he “bold is beautiful” C30, as Volvo calls it, offers more dramatic styling with cleaner, more fluid lines thanks mostly to its all-new front end. Since going on sale in Australia in 2007, the Volvo C30 has become a favourite niche model for buyers keen on the car’s distinctive styling, bold looks and signature rear end – itself sculpted to recapture the striking glass tailgate of Volvo’s own P1800 model of the 1970s.

Upfront, the revised C30 boasts a larger Volvo iron mark in the new honeycombe grille, the bumper too now colour coded lower to emphasise the car’s “visual volume”.
The new look brings the C30 in line with other models in the latest generation Volvo range, including the strong selling Volvo XC60 SUV, Volvo S80 sedan, Volvo V70 wagon and Volvo XC70.

“By integrating greater depth into the design language, the front has become more dramatic and expressive,” explains Volvo’s exterior chief designer, Fedde Talsma.
“Along with the angled lines of the front bumper, new headlamps, drawn offset and up, reinforce the impression of speed and sportiness.”

The all-new headlamps Mr Talsma refers to are now gracefully upswept into the front guards with larger air vents contributing to a more extroverted look.

Complimenting the exterior changes, two new alloy wheel designs are also offered including 16-inch ‘Convector’ and 17-inch ‘Styx White’ wheels, the latter a throwback to the 1980s.
Additionally, two new colours join the palette, Orange Flame Metallic (pictured above and below) and Lime Grass Green, taking the total number of available colours to 13.

Retaining C30’s iconic rear end styling, changes here are simple and few. A revised rear bumper featuring lower-set black panels aim to bring the body closer to the road surface (as at the front) while LED brake lights are now also included.
The new C30 range also gains Volvo’s Emergency Brake Light (EBL) system. Active at speeds over 60km/h, EBL pulses the brake lights at a rate of five times per second if the brakes are applied forcefully, such as during an emergency stop. Once the vehicle’s speed is reduced to 10km/h, the brake lights stop flashing and the hazard lights are activated. The hazard lights can then be manually deactivated, or will cancel themselves once the vehicle speed again reaches 10km/h.

Inside, the C30’s revised cabin offers buyers a infinite range of colour combinations, including the new Oyster Burst Deco texture for the centre stack and door panel inlays.
This new, distinctive grey/white finish replicates the classic Swedish Hagstrom guitars, as made famous by the likes of Jimmy Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Elvis Presley. The finish is darker on the edges than it is in the middle giving a feeling of depth (a little hard to see in the photo provided).

New surfaces are also found through out the C30’s cabin including a honeycombe-style aluminium trim that adds greater visual depth and contributes to scratch resistance.
A new rear luggage compartment cover also includes new material and new graphic pattern. The split panel allows easy access to the cargo area for small parcels and can be fully opened or even removed when carrying larger items. Split fold rear seats are also included as standard.

Maintaining Volvo’s strong reputation for safety, the revised C30 range includes as standard dual front and side airbags, full-length curtain airbags as well as the WHIPS whiplash protection system for front seat passengers.
The SIPS Side Impact Protection System is also featured, acting in unison with side and curtain airbags to protect occupants in the event of a side impact.
ABS braking with EBA and EBD plus ESP with Traction Control are also offered as standard, earning the Volvo C30 a maximum possible five-star ANCAP safety rating.

The new Volvo C30 range offers customers a range of engine choices including the new 1.6-litre turbo-diesel DRIVe variant, which we’ll touch on in a moment, a 2.4-litre five-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol verion, 2.0-litre) turbo-diesel, and 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol (as pictured below).

The top-shelf performance enhanced T5 range is now headed by the new T5 R-Design model (as pictured) that evolves the sporty character of the C30 thanks to revised suspension and steering settings.

Powered by a turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine (169kW/320Nm), the T5 models also feature Volvo’s Sport Chassis as standard. The chassis offers 30 per cent stiffer springs, firmer monotube shock-absorbers and stiffer stabiliser bars, the C30 T5 R-Design also gains faster-ratio steering and new 17-inch ‘Cratus’ alloy wheels.

As well as the Sport Chassis, which is available as an option throughout the C30 range (for $800), the Volvo C30 T5 R-Design also includes colour-coded front and rear spoilers and side skirts, plus chrome-plated 90mm exhaust outlets.

Inside the revised cabin a leather wrapped steering wheel, leather/aluminium gearknob, aluminium sport pedals, embossed R-Design seats and distinctive blue instrumentation are included.

A wide range of individualisation is also extended to the R-Design model with a large selection of colour and trim options available.

Two added option packages are also available with the Teknik Pack and Komfort Pack.

Teknik Pack ($3700):

• Satellite Navigation
• Blind Spot Identification System (BLIS)
• Active Bending Lights (Dual Xenon)
• Rear Park Assist
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Headlamp Washer System

Komfort Pack ($2275 on T5 / $2600 on 2.4i and 2.0D):

• Keyless Entry
• Rain Sensing Wipers
• Auto Dimming Mirror
• Laminated Side Windows
• Heated Front Seats
• Electric Drivers Seat or Passenger Seat

“The Volvo C30 has always been a car with a destinct personality,” says Volvo Car Australia managing director, Alan Desselss.
“The new range offers more choice than ever before in a refreshed package that reinforces the vehicle’s visual and emotion appeal.”

In a move to offer buyers a more environmentally-friendly C30, Volvo has also introduced the C30 DRIVe to its revised lineup. The new model featuring a frugal 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine developing 80kW/240Nm.
The best-in-class fuel economy and CO2 emissions see C30 DRIVe deliver combined cycle fuel consumption of just 3.8L/100km while emitting just 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Volvo says the result are enough to net the car a 1300-kilometre range from a single 52-litre tank of diesel fuel.

Including ‘Stop/Start’ technology, which switches the engine off when the car is at standstill, the C30 DRIVe also includes a regenerative recharge system to charge the battery as the vehicle brakes, low rolling resistance tyres and fuel saving aerodynamic alloy wheels.
As well, a wind-deflecting panel behind the car’s grille improves airflow around the engine. Wind deflectors are also fitted forward of the car’s front wheels.
Underbody panels and a revised front and rear spoiler also help improve the car’s aerodynamics.

To assist the engine in achieving better fuel economy when cruising, transmission ratios for third, fourth and fifth gears have also been altered. The Volvo C30 DRIVe is only available with a five-speed manual gearbox. Volvo said it has now plans to offer the car with an automatic transmission at this stage.
Like the rest of the range, the Volvo C30 DRIVe also includes a high level of safety features for a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The interior trim materials are all selected to comply with strict Oeko-Tex Standard 100 guidelines, an international benchmark for human ecological safety of textiles.
CarAdvice will bring you a full road test of the new C30 models over the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
Volvo C30 DRIVe specifications:

• Engine: 1560cc DOHC four-cylinder turbo-diesel (16 valve)
• Power: 80kW @ 4000rpm
• Torque: 240Nm @ 1750rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 3.8L/100km (Combined)
• CO2 Emissions: 99g/km
• 0-100km/h: 11.3 seconds
• Top Speed: 190km/h

Volvo C30 2.4i S specifications:

• Engine: 2435cc DOHC five-cylinder petrol (20 valve)
• Power: 125kW @ 6000rpm
• Torque: 230Nm @ 4400rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 8.4L/100km (Combined)
• CO2 Emissions: 200g/km
• 0-100km/h: 8.1 seconds
• Top Speed: 220km/h

Volvo C30 2.0D specifications:

• Engine: 1997cc DOHC four-cylinder turbo-diesel (16 valve)
• Power: 100kW @ 4000rpm
• Torque: 320Nm @ 2000rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 5.9L/100km (Combined)
• CO2 Emissions: 156g/km
• 0-100km/h: 9.5 seconds
• Top Speed: 205km/h

Volvo C30 T5 & C30 T5 R-Design specifications:

• Engine: 2435cc DOHC five-cylinder turbo-petrol (20 valve)
• Power: 169kW @ 5000rpm
• Torque: 320Nm @ 1500-5000rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 8.7L/100km (Combined)
• CO2 Emissions: 208g/km
• 0-100km/h: 6.7 seconds
• Top Speed: 240km/h

Volvo C30 Pricing:

• Volvo C30 1.6 DRIVe: $36,150 (M)
• Volvo C30 2.4i S: $34,950 (M) / $36,450 (A)
• Volvo C30 2.0D Powershift: $37,950 (A)
• Volvo C30 T5: $43,450 (M) / $44,950 (A)
• Volvo C30 T5 R-Design: $47,150 (M) / $48,650 (A)

Volvo will build a fleet of 50 electric powered C30s, which will be used as daily drives from 2011, with a range of 150 kilometres on a full charge.
This is said to be sufficient for the daily transport needs of most Europeans.
Drivers of these especially green Volvos will simply use a home power socket rather than a petrol bowser for a fill.
Although a pure electric car, they will look no different to the current petrol or diesel powered Volvo C30s, but inside, it’s a whole different story.

The gauges and graphics facing the driver are different from that of a conventional car and the user-friendly instrument shows only speed and energy consumption.
New symbols within the instrument cluster will also include a gauge for the battery charge level.

Driver’s can expect a totally different experience behind the wheel, especially when you need to accelerate, which it will do, at least off the line, quicker than most conventionally powered cars.

The electrically powered Volvo has no gears, and yet drive is delivered seamlessly, with full power and torque delivered from the very instant you dab the throttle.
Travel inside a fully electric car, is like driving with a set of noise cancelling headphones on, a totally silent experience, which means the audio quality (iPod included) should be sensational.

Battery power for the electric C30 is courtesy of a lithium-Ion battery pack and a full charge from a standard household power socket will take eight hours.

Top speed with a full charge is said to be around 130km/h, while acceleration from a standing start to 100km/h will take just over 10.5 seconds.
Being a Volvo, you can count on this C30 being a safe bet (pardon the pun) too.

You’ll find the electric motor under battery pack (24kWh) under the bonnet while the batteries are stored in the propshaft tunnel and the space normally occupied by the fuel tank.

“What is more, they are well encapsulated and the structure around them has been reinforced. Electric cars represent yet another interesting challenge in our dedication to building the world’s safest cars. An electrically powered Volvo must be as safe as all other new Volvos. And the very same standards also apply to ownership, driving and protection in the event of an accident”, says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

For fully electric cars to succeed in the market place, they need to be attractive and provide the same level of comfort, performance and convenience of other power driven cars.

Volvo’s C30 Coupe is certainly a good shape to start with when it comes to electric power and the company hopes that the authorities and the rest of society follows Volvo Cars in their “Drive Towards Zero” emissions.
Technical specification Electric C30
Car model:
Volvo C30 – full four seater
Main engine:
Electric engine  40/82KW
Power output:
Electric engine  82kW, 111 bhp
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph):
10.5 seconds
Charging duration:
Charging via standard power socket, 230 V, 16 ampere: < 8 hours
Range on electric power:
150 km (NEDC cycle)
Battery energy content:
24  kWh nominal energy, of which  22.7 kWh used to power the car
Battery weight:
280 kg
Carbon dioxide emissions (tailpipe):
none

For the first time ever, Heico Sportiv will have a place at Volvo's stand at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, where the German tuning company will reveal a new range of styling and performance accessories for the recently facelifted 2011 C70 coupe-convertible.
The Volvo specialist from Germany has prepared several goodies for the most recent version of the C70 including a new front apron, rear diffuser, sport exhaust system with unique tail pipes, lightweight alloy wheels in sizes up to 20'', a sport suspension system that lowers the ride height by 30mm and a bevy of interior upgrades such as custom decorative and leather trims.

The all-new 2011 S60 sedan was only just introduced to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in March, but Volvo has already prepared a racing version that will enter the2010 season of the Belgian Touring Car Series (BTCS).
The new S60 racer was developed locally by Volvo's Belgian S60 Racing Team in accordance with the BTCS Silhouette S1 regulations. All cars participating in the series must use a tubular chassis, the same type of front and rear suspension and aerodynamics.
Volvo's proposal features a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine with 410-horsepower and 412 Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. A six-speed sequential gearbox drives the rear-wheels.

Volvo's UK arm has announced prices and full specification details for the all-new S60 sedan that's available for order now, with first customer deliveries in August. Prices for the mid-size sedan range from £23,295 for the entry-level D3 ES (163PS) up to £36,745 for the top-of-the-range T6 AWD SE Lux Geartronic Premium.
At launch, the new S60 will be available with a choice of two diesels and one petrol engine. The newly-developed five-cylinder 2.0-liter D3 diesel engine produces 163HP and 400Nm of torque returning a combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg UK.
Next up is the twin-turbo D5 diesel powerplant that produces 205HP and 420Nm of torque accelerating the S60 from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 7.8 seconds, while returning 53.3mpg UK in the combined cycle.
Last but not least is the newly-enhanced 3.0-litre six-cylinder gasoline engine that delivers 304HP and 440 Nm of torque. This engine powers the mid-size sedan from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 6.5 seconds and onto a top speed of 155 mph or 25-km/h, while offering a combined fuel consumption of 28.5mpg UK.
Standard features on all S60 models include the City Safety system that automatically brakes the vehicle from speeds up to 19mph if the car in front stops, DSTC (dynamic stability and traction control), WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and Inflatable Curtain airbags.
There are three trim levels, ES, SE and SE Lux. The base ES comes equipped with electronic climate control, cruise control, 5" color screen, steering wheel remote audio controls, alloy wheels and leather steering wheel and gear stick, and 16-inch alloys as standard.
The SE trim level adds Tylosand textile/Vinyl upholstery, Shimmer Graphite aluminium trim, watch dials, Auto Dimming rear view mirror, Autofolding Power Door Mirrors with Puddle Lights, rain sensor, High Performance Sound System, Bluetooth, Rear Park Assist and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The top-of-the-range SE Lux combines the ES and SE specifications and incorporates Power Drivers Seat & Memory, leather-faced upholstery, Active Bending Lights and headlamp cleaning.

Volvo and its motorsports partner Polestar will begin this year's Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) season on 24 April at Jyllandsringen in Denmark with an updated version of their ethanol-powered C30 racer based on the facelifted production model.
The new race car gets a revised front end which is longer, lower and wider, with the Swedish automaker claiming that the new design delivers a higher ground pressure at the front, and an improved airflow right around the vehicle.
"This is the fastest Volvo I've ever driven," says Volvo Polestar driver Robert Dahlgren.
"We've worked very hard to take full advantage of the new C30 facelift, spending countless hours in the wind tunnel at Volvo Cars in the process," says Jan Andersson, Technical Director of the Volvo Polestar team.
Volvo recently extended its agreement with Polestar right through to the end of the 2012 season.

The introduction of the facelifted Volvo C30 brings a new R-Design sport package with a spicy bodykit and chassis upgrades for the premium hatchback model. Visually, the R-Design adds an all-new color-matching bodykit front, rear and roof spoilers, lower door trim moulding and side-skirts along with visible chrome plated tailpipes, 17-inch five spoke alloys plus a silk metal finish for the front grille and door mirror housings.
The cabin finish includes a two-tone or alternatively all-black, leather interior, R-Design centre stack and panel inserts, a sport leather steering wheel, gear lever knob trimmed in leather and aluminum and blue speedometer and rev counter gauges.
However, the biggest changes in the new C30 R-Design, which makes its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, are hidden beneath the skin. In particular, the steering is more precise thanks to the installation of stiffer bushings while the lower steering ratio promises to offer faster response to steering wheel input.
Volvo's engineers also tampered around with the suspension that now features much stiffer springs, dampers and roll stabilizers to improve handling. Furthermore, the ride height has been lowered by 10 mm.
"A customer who test-drives the new C30 R-Design will immediately feel the difference," claims Stefan Sällqvist, manager Vehicle Dynamics at Volvo Cars. "Even before the car has covered fifty meters, the driver will be aware of the crisp steering and the distinct chassis response."
Detailed pricing on the R-Design sport package will be announced at a later date.

This is the first official photograph of the Volvo C30 Polestar Performance concept that was revealed today at the Gothenburg Motor Show (22-25 April, 2010). The hot hatch was developed in cooperation with Volvo's racing partner, Polestar Performance, as a road car version of their C30 racer.
According to the company, the C30 Performance Concept Prototype "was designed to evaluate what happens when a Championship-winning team of race engineers and designers get free-rein to design and engineer a car rather than developing it to fit very specific race regulations."
It features a heavily modified version of the standard C30's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five with a larger turbo and intercooler, and different pistons, conrods and inlet camshaft. The result is an output of 405HP and 510Nm or 376 lb-ft of peak torque.
The hatch uses a Haldex all-wheel drive system and a Quaife mechanical differential while Polestar's engineers upgraded the car's suspension, braking and steering wheel systems.
It also features an aerodynamic kit derived from the STCC race car, large 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in beefy Pirelli P Zero 235/35 ZR 19 tires, and leather racing seats with four-point harness.

Polestar C30 Performance Concept Prototype Technical Specification

Engine:

Volvo T5: 2.5L Turbo with larger intercooler and KKK 26 turbo
Modified pistons, conrods and inlet camshaft

Power Output: 405 hp. Torque: 510 Nm

Drivetrain:
Quaife mechanical differential brake front and rear
Haldex AWD

Chassis:
Öhlins shock absorbers and springs
More responsive steering rack with 2,25 ratio

Brakes:
Front: Brembo 380mm discs with six piston calipers
Rear: Brembo 330mm discs with four piston calipers

Rims and Tyres:
BBS FI 19x8,75"
Pirelli P Zero 235/35 ZR 19

Interior:

Racing seats with Ternsjö leather and four point harness

Exterior:

Aerodynamics derived from the STCC race car