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From Swedespeed.com Events Coverage Paris in the fall is a beautiful place, and the sights at the Paris Motor Show are no exception. Every other year the charming old city is host to the world’s carmakers. Manufacturers from North America, Europe and all parts of Asia filled more than five halls at the Paris Expo.
With such an elegant background, it’s no secret some of the most exciting and dramatic vehicles are unveiled in Paris. Most manufacturers show off glamorous concepts, while significant new production models also make an appearance. A center of fashion, there are always new trends to be spotted for the car industry, and one red hot segment is that of the three-door sport hatchback. From German entrants such as the Audi S3 and Volkswagne IROC concept, to the French Renault Twingo concept, etc., as fuel prices rise, these sporty-yet-functional little cars seem to be all the rage.
It’s quite timely then that Volvo would choose to debut the production C30. Not far in overall look to the C30 concept shown at Detroit, the C30 makes use of its 1800ES-inspired wagon-back design and handsome Volvo family shoulders to make one of the most dynamic-looking entrants in the field. Several new interior treatments were also shown, raising the fun factor for this lifestyle car. Etched center stacks with intricate design will now be available, along with several new interior colors and cloths.
To help differentiate itself from its closest S40 and V50 brethren, the C30 makes use of accenting fender lips and body treatment that looks quite close to that of the XC90, though also appears much like the European trend of unpainted body kits found on 1980’s offerings from Europe. Painted or unpainted, the body kit and wheels on the higher-spec C30 look fantastic. Even in lower-end trim and less-aggressive wheel offerings, the C30 is a handsome car. As such, pre-order demand has been strong, so all initial production of the C30 will go to Europe for now. North American-bound C30s will hit markets on that side of the Atlantic next summer as 2008 models.
In Europe, normally aspirated and turbocharged petrol offerings will be available, alongside Volvo’s torque-laden commonrail diesel D5. Initial launch in the USA will be T5 only, with manual and Geartronic transmissions. Contacts at Volvo do suggest Gothenburg is considering diesel engines for the USA, though won’t yet comment on diesel in the C30 for the USA.
It’s clear Volvo is giving the C30 plenty of weight. No other Volvo sat on their stand other than the C30 during the recent media days at the Paris Auto Show. However, just about every spec available on the C30 could be found, from basic, to diesel, to two-tone and monotone.
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