Volvo C30 R-Design Sport

Good Looking Volvo with Plendy of Kit!

Volvos C30R-Design Sport is a real looker. Its also a bit unusual. For the R-design label denotes the enty level model yet this looks like a top-of-the range coupe – stylish, colour co-ordinated with agressive bodykit and spoilers – it looks the business.

It certainly got admiring glances from young lads who probably thought it quicker than it actually is. Of course, its a deliverate ploy to give more street cred but im not sure that it works entirely.

I didnt think there was much wrong with the origional C30 without the bodykit when I first saw it in 2006.

Unfortunately, the 2009 model is not as hot as its head turning looks the 1.6 litre petrol engine is pretty modest by current standards. The front wheel drive Volvo C30 is mated to a five speed manual gearbox which is light prcise and easy to use. For a car that is so well buildt and well equipped the performance was only average. Just 100bhp and 150Nm of torque means it takes 11.5 seconds to reach the 62mph benchmark, and top speed of 115mph.

Nor were there any big gains in fuel economy as a consolation. The official average fuel economy is 40.4mpg. I couldn’t get anything like that figure and I wasn’t racing all over the place. Overall it returned just 32mpg which is a dissapointment from a 1.6 petrol engine in the Volvo C30 R-Design.

CO2 emissions are not particularly low either at 167g/km. The car was certainly much more at home as a relaxed motorway cruiser. When I did have to press on, the engine sounded harsh.

Buyers are likely to be young-at-heart couples tather than boy racers who would probably find it outside their budget in any case. The 2009 model is distinctive yet with a retro-look rear which reminded me of the old 480 ES. The tailgate window opens up a relatively small aperture by today’s standards and you have a high sill over which to lift items of luggage into a small boot.

It’s stylish, well built interior. The fit and finish of the cabin is good, with four individual seats trimmed in leather, again something you just don’t expect with an entry level car. Rear legroom’s not great, but two adults can fit in there if needed The rear seats fold forwards, but do not split or tumble.

All four seatbelts have pre-tensioners, and the front seats have anti-whiplash headrests which move forward in a rear impact. Despite not being especially quick, it still feels good to drive. Comfort was excellent. There’s a chunky sports streering wheel, the steering is sharp and precise with plenty of grip, and a well balanced ride. As with the boot, storage and stwage facililtes are limited, with only a tiny glovebox, small central console and door pockets.

As you would expect from a Volvo, the C30 is an extremely safe car. Curtain airbags protect both front and rear passengers. Other safety equip includes safety belt tensioners, whiplash protection, plus a side impact protection system.

The Volvo C30 R-design sport comes with lots of kit, standard items include air conditioning with electronic climate control and Volvo’s air quality system that continuously monitors the carbon monoxide level of the incoming air vents when the level is too high.

ESP is standard and although you can reduce the degree of its intervention via the control menu you can’t completely swith it off.

VOLVO C30 R-Design Sport
Engine: 1.6 Petrol
0-52: 11.2secs
Top Speed: 115mph
Combined MPG: 40.4mpg
OTR Price: £14,995