When it burst on the scene just three years ago, the Volvo C30 caused more heads to swivel than a fashion show. Most eyes were focused on the unique rear styling that set it apart from the pack. For an encore, Volvo’s designers have given the C30 all-new front styling for 2011 with a radically altered fascia, fenders, trapezoidal headlights and honeycomb grille wearing an enlarged Volvo iron mark. The result is sure to cause double takes whether the car is coming or going.
This dynamic new look further emphasizes the C30’s playful appeal to the young and young at heart. Along with the angled lines of the front bumper, the new headlights, drawn offset and up, reinforce the impression of speed and sport. While the biggest changes are at the front, the contours of the rear fascia are curvier and more dynamic than before.
Orange Flame metallic is a vibrant new exterior color choice added to the C30’s already tempting array of hues. Inside the cabin, customers can select from a fresh, modern array of colors and materials. Off Black/Blonde is an all-new color combination that serves as an expression of Volvo’s strong Scandinavian design tradition.
The C30 continues to be offered in two models, the C30 T5 and T5 R-Design. A 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine develops 227 horsepower in both models. Drivers can select a standard six-speed manual transmission or opt for a five-speed “Geartronic” automatic with “Auto-stick” function.
Thanks to its compact size and clever design, the Volvo C30 is as fun to drive as it is to admire. Its generous front and rear tracks and a relatively long wheelbase contribute to inspiring and stable driving characteristics. The chassis, with MacPherson front suspension and a multilink rear axle, is optimized to provide outstanding control and precise response to the driver’s inputs.
A Sport Chassis is a new addition to the C30 T5 R-Design for 2011 providing enhanced chassis dynamics and steering reflexes. Spring stiffness has been increased by 30 percent while the dampers feature a new mono-tube design that build-up pressure quicker for 20 percent increased low-speed damping. Steering is more precise with stiffer bushings and a 10 percent quicker steering ratio.
Volvo endows the entry luxury C30 T5 with a generous roster of standard equipment. The list includes standard Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, leather gearshift knob with aluminum inlay, leather parking brake cover, trip computer, cruise control, a high performance 160-watt audio system with eight speakers, USB and auxiliary inputs and HD Radio.
The R-Design continues as the ultimate C30 fitted with distinctive styling cues and range topping equipment. Standard features include a color-coordinated body kit, premium leather seating surfaces with embossed R-Design logo, a special front grille R-Design logo, matte finish outside rearview mirrors, R-Design watch dial instrument cluster, unique aluminum inlays, R-Design sport steering wheel and sport pedals.
The Multimedia Package offered on both models includes the Dynaudio Premium Sound System with Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound, 10 Dynaudio loudspeakers and an astonishing 650 watts. The Volvo HDD Navigation System with real time traffic, remote control and map care is now included. Meanwhile, the Preferred Package gains a power glass sunroof for the new model year.
The list of available stand-alone options includes Sirius Satellite Radio, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), dual Xenon Gas Discharge Headlights (GDL) with Active Bending Light (ABL), leather seating surfaces for the T5 and various shades of metallic paint.
The C30 features Volvo’s patented front structure. Divided into zones, it incorporates different deformation properties with the outer zones accounting for most of the deformation in a frontal collision. The more the collision forces approach the passenger compartment, the less the material is deformed. To ensure that each zone has the right characteristics, the quality of the steel has been varied. Four different types of steel are used. Apart from normal body steel, three different grades of high-strength steel are used. Different steel grades also are used in the rear to help protect occupants in the event of a rear-end collision.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price
- C30 T5: $24,700
- C30 T5 R-Design: $27,100
- Destination: $875
What’s New: 2011 Volvo C30
C30 T5
- Revised styling with new front fascia, fenders, hood, grille and headlights
- New Aluminum inlay with honeycomb design/texture
- Sirius Satellite Radio now stand-alone option
- Dual xenon Gas Discharge Headlights with Active Bending Light (ABL) now stand-alone option
- Multimedia Package adds HDD-based navigation system with real time traffic, remote control and map care
- Preferred Package adds power glass sunroof
- Orange Flame Metallic Paint
C30 T5 R-Design
- Revised styling with new front fascia, fenders, hood, grille and headlights
- Standard 18-inch “Midir” alloy wheels
- Standard Sport Chassis with 30% stiffer springs, 20% increased low-speed damping and 10% quicker steering ratio
- Sirius Satellite Radio now stand-alone option
- Dual xenon Gas Discharge Headlights with Active Bending Light (ABL) now stand-alone option
- Multimedia Package adds HDD-based navigation system with real time traffic, remote control and map care
- Preferred Package adds power glass sunroof
- Orange Flame metallic Paint
Climate Package
- Heated front seats
- Headlamp washers
- Rainsensor windshield wipers
- Electronic Climate Control (ECC)
- Interior Air Quality System (IAQS)
Preferred Package
- Power driver seat with 3-position memory
- Power passenger seat
- Front fog lights (T5 only)
- Aluminum inlays (T5 only)
- Keyless Drive (R-Design)
- Power glass sunroof
Multimedia Package
- Dynaudio Premium Sound System with Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound
- HDD Navigation System with real time traffic, remote control and 2 complimentary map updates
Stand Alone Options
- Five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission
- Leather seating surfaces (T5)
- Dual xenon Gas Discharge Headlights with Active Bending Light (ABL)
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
- Sirius Satellite Radio
- Metallic Paint
- Premium Electric Silver metallic (R-Design)
