Volvo C30 T5 R-Design Part 1: Design Review

The stylish Volvo C30 T5 R-Design is the top-spec version of the Swedish company's most dramatically styled offering. Introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as the Volvo C30 Design Concept, the thinly disguised three-door coupe made the trip across the Atlantic late in 2007 as the production Volvo C30 T5.

The most unique element of the C30 T5 is clearly it's frameless glass tailgate and the surfacing around it. Inspired by the company's iconic P1800 ES of 1972-73, it's as distinctive in rear view as a certain Jennifer Lopez. You simply cannot mistake this car for any other when you see it from behind.

Along with the glass tailgate and Volvo-signature broad haunches, the sexy rear of the C30 features a tapering roofline that the company has been teasing us with for years. We first caught a glimpse of it in 2001 when Volvo gave us its Safety Car Concept. Three years later, they showed off a more extreme version of this surface language on the Volvo 3CC electric car of 2004. Now in production, the stylish lines look fantastic, giving this newest Volvo a fresh, modern and dynamic look.

The front of the car, while not quite as modern looking, is still very distinctive, retaining the clean Volvo design language with its pronounced snout - featuring a unique R-Design frame around the grille - and its wraparound head-lights.

The side view shows off another angle of the C30's tapering roofline and highlights the little Volvo's compact and purposeful dimensions. Adding to the sporty attitude, the monochromatic paint scheme of our R-Design spec test car also shows off the lines of the C30 T5 to best effect.

And while Volvo offers tons of possible color combinations, mixing and matching the lower bodywork color with the main body color, your best option - in my less-than-humble opinion - is to forgo the retro two-tone and spec the car in a single solid color. Judge if you must and call me conservative if you will, but the two-tone look seems more appropriate on the company’s XC90 SUV and Cross-Country wagons, than on its C30 sport compact.

You'll still have lots of exterior design options including 17 exterior colors, 12 interior color combinations and no fewer than 17 different wheel designs. In all, Volvo offers just over 5 million possibilities to personalize your C30, making it seriously unlikely that you'll find yourself looking into a mirror across the intersection.

Riding on the same platform as its S40, V50 and C70 siblings, the C30 should appeal to Volvo loyalist who will find that the company's core values remain intact in this newest family member. The C30 T5 R-Design embraces the company's safety message while making a bold design statement that is ultramodern, yet unmistakably Volvo - something that should see it attracting new buyers and loyalists alike.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

Volvo C30 T5 R-Design

Performance
- Acceleration: Faster than it feels, but not exactly a rocket - silent in its performance
- Handling: Safe and surefooted at 8/10th - doesn't do anything above 8/10th thanks to electronic nannies
- Braking: Stable, effective, and safe (no surprises)

Design
- Exterior: The most exciting looking Volvo since the P1800ES - rear view is seductive
- Interior: Nowhere near as exciting as the exterior, but very clean and sober Volvo-look is still good

Utility
- Comfort: Individual seats all around, plus wide dimensions for this type of car means there's not a bad seat in the house
- Space: That sexy silhouette means that space is not super abundant - fold-down seats make up for it somewhat

Safety
- Dynamics: Electronic safety nannies will take over in extreme maneuvers so that mistakes are nearly impossible
- Technology: The badge says "Volvo" so you know that its all there and then some

Value
- Price: Difficult to make a case for it if you let the options get away from you - base car is well priced though, and feels very premium
- Mileage: Easier to stay off the boost than in most turbocharged cars, so your mileage numbers might be decent

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Desirable to the eye, less so to the senses
- Fun to spank: Too many safety nannies means that it just doesn't want to play

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Front-wheel drive
Engine: 2.5 liter, turbocharged inline 5
Power (SAE): 227 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 236 lb-ft @ 1500 - 5000 rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3135 lbs.
0-60 mph: 6.2 sec.
1/4 mile: 14.8 @ 97 mph
Top Speed: 146 mph
Mileage: 19 city / 28 highway
Base Price: $25,950
Competitors: Volkswagen GTI, MINI Cooper S, Mazdaspeed3