2008 Volvo C30 Detroit MI
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2008 Volvo C30
November 3, 2009 By Brian Alexander, Content Editor
2008 Volvo C30
DriverSide Overview
When people think of a typical “hot hatch,” images of a select few automotive icons like the Volkswagen GTI or John Cooper Works Mini Cooper S will likely pop up in their heads. But one moniker that certainly won’t make itself present is Volvo – that is, until now. The 2008 Volvo C30 will change the way you think about Volvos, hatchbacks, automotive styling and the country of Sweden in general. The C30 does away with typical conservative Volvo styling, sporting a distinctive and aggressive character that carries over into the driving experience. Volvo is offering two separate packages for the C30, the base-model version 1.0 and the more aggressively styled and sport-tuned version 2.0, so that both the everyday driver and the enthusiast alike can find something to fit their needs.
What's to Like
The C30 is an unmistakable car with a modern style of its own. The five-cylinder turbo engine has ample power for such a small car, while the steering and suspension deliver excellent driving dynamics. Backseat room isn’t severely limited, making it feel more like a coupe than a hatchback.
What's Not to Like
While it starts at a low, competitive premium hatch price, the C30 can get expensive, quickly. While it is a fun car to drive, it doesn’t have the pure enthusiast driving orientation some of its competitors have.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The C30 delivers a well-behaved, sophisticated ride around town, using its turbo-aided torque delivery to move it along briskly and with relative ease. There are two sides to the C30 however, and when it’s time to have fun, the C30 is more than willing. The buzzy five-cylinder engine gets all its torque at an extremely low 1,500 rpm and, while power delivery is linear, smooth and predictable, it is also increasingly potent as the needle approaches the redline. The steering is direct and exhibits minute amounts of understeer at worst, while the gearshift in the six-speed manual is light and precise. Our only complaint would be the relatively high engagement point of the clutch, an issue likely to relieve itself once the clutch has been broken in.
Engine and Drivetrain
While the C30 may be a bold, new move for Volvo, the power plant remains the company’s tried and true 2.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline-five cylinder, which produces 227 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine drives the front-wheels through either a standard six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode.
Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
The options list is perhaps the Achilles Heel of the C30 because, while base price is reasonable and competitive, the C30 suffers from an acute case of “MCS” or Mini Cooper Syndrome, in that there are simply too many desirable options boxes to tick. Simple it...