Volvo C30 (2010 – 2013) Review

September 2009

Revised C30 unveiled

The front of the Volvo C30 has been redesigned giving the car a new appearance. In the grille sits the new, larger iron mark, as seen in the rest of the Volvo range. The air intake has also been enlarged and resembles the intake in the XC60. The grille also has a new honeycomb pattern, unique to the C30.

Although the biggest design changes have taken place at the front, the rear also sports a similar range of updates, including a new colour-coded rear valance that is available in body colour or, to add a dramatic twist, in a contrasting colour.

Other new exterior features include the introduction of a vibrant Orange Flame Metallic colour, visible exhaust tailpipes in the T5 and D5 models, two new wheel options, including a striking white wheel alternative and the choice of five different colours on the lower trim from the new C30 Contrast Colour Collection, such as Blackcurrant, Java and Shadow Blue.

A new accessory styling kit has been introduced to give the Volvo C30 even more sporting attitude. The kit includes foglamp décor, a front skidplate, side scuff plates and a rear skidplate with an aluminium look. For D5 and T5 variants, two 90 mm tail pipes in polished stainless steel are added to highlight the powerful engine.

The new Volvo C30 also offers a range of new interior options. There is now an all-new colour combination, Espresso/Blond, consisting of a dark brown upper section and a blond, fresh shade on the lower door sides. The blond tone is a grey/beige colour and is an expression of Volvo's strong Scandinavian design tradition. The Espresso/Blond interior gives customers the opportunity to specify the new, bright accent colours which include orange, green and blue in the fabrics, as well as a new Cranberry colour for leather upholstery.

To complement the Volvo C30's new dynamic style, an optional Sports chassis will be available which gives the C30 a significantly sharper ride. The introduction of the Sports chassis means the car is lowered by 10 millimetres, resulting in a lower centre of gravity enhancing the driving characteristics. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings.

Diesel engines

D5: 180 PS/400 Nm, 45.6 mpg, 164 g/km CO2

2.0D: 136 PS/320 Nm, 49.6 mpg, 151 g/km

1.6D DRIVe: 109 PS/240 Nm, 62.8 mpg, 119 g/km

1.6D DRIVe start/stop, 109 PS/240 Nm, 72.4 mpg, 104 g/km

Petrol engines

T5: 230 PS/320 Nm, 32.5 mpg, 203 g/km

2.0: 145 PS/185 Nm, 38.2 mpg, 177 g/km

1.6: 100 PS/150 Nm, 40.4 mpg, 167 g/km

September 2009

C30 DRIVe launched

Emitting only 99 g/km of CO2, means the new Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe with Start/Stop will be exempt from the annual Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Up to 74.3mpg on the combined cycle. Capable of up to 857 miles on one tank of fuel .

Volvo C30 Prices

S 1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) £16,245

S 1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) with Start/Stop £16,710

S 1.6 (100 PS) £14,495

SE 1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) £17,995

SE 1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) with Start/Stop £18,460

SE 2.0D (136 PS) £18,610

SE D5 (180 PS) £20,110

SE 1.6 (100 PS) £16,245

SE 2.0 (145 PS) £17,245

SE Lux 1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) £19,245

SE Lux 1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) with Start/Stop £19,710

SE Lux 2.0D (136 PS) £19,860

SE Lux D5 (180 PS) £21,360

SE Lux 2.0 (145 PS) £18,495

R-DESIGN 1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) £18,245

R-DESIGN 2.0D (136 PS) £18,860

R-DESIGN D5 (180 PS) £20,360

R-DESIGN 1.6 (100 PS) £16,245

R-DESIGN 2.0 (145 PS) £17,495

R-DESIGN T5 (230 PS) £20,235

May 2010

New five-cylinder 2.0-litre turbodiesel from the all-new Volvo S60 made available throughout Volvo Cars' model range and replaces the familiar four-cylinder 136 PS unit in the C30, S40, V50, C70, V70 and S80. All new engines are available to order now.

The new five-cylinder 2.0D diesel is, in principle, the same engine as the well-established 2.4-litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption. The injection system also has a different type of piezoelectric fuel injector compared with the D5 engine. These injectors minimize fuel consumption with their exceptionally rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure to promote extremely efficient combustion.

As part of Volvo's new engine nomenclature and to simplify Volvo's engine badging, all new engines, including the new five-cylinder 2.0D, will be badged depending on the power output. For example, the 150 PS version of the new 2.0D in the C30, S40, V50 and C70 is named D3 and an uprated 177 PS version of this same engine is labeled D4.

In its lower state of tune, it produces 150 PS and is badged D3 while an uprated 177 PS version is named D4. Both emit only 134 g/km of CO2 and offer drivers 55.4 mpg in the C30, S40 and V50 and 47.9 mpg and 154 g/km in the C70. The D3 and D4 are available in both manual and automatic transmission across all four models.

The C30, S40 and V50 are also available with a new four cylinder 1.6-litre diesel engine - badged D2. Fuel consumption in all three models is 65.7 mpg, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of only 114 g/km. The engine produces 115 PS and 270 Nm of torque and now comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The previous 1.6D 109 PS DRIVe engine with Start/Stop will remain in the C30, S40 and V50 ranges along with the 1.6, 2.0 and range-topping T5 petrol engines. The 2.4i and D5 are no longer available in the C30, S40, V50 and C70 models.

The D2, D3 and D4 engines all meet the Euro 5 emission standards.

Another facet of Volvo's 2011 Model Year update is a change in the specification hierarchy with the introduction of the ES trim level. The ES replaces the S specification and includes all the features and safety systems you would expect from Volvo.

November 2010

DRIVe models with emissions of 99g/km

Continuing development of Volvo’s DRIVe models has resulted in sub-100g/km CO2 versions of the C30 hatchback, S40 saloon and V50 sportswagon, making the V50 the most versatile of any sub-100g/km car on the market today. The changes mean all three are exempt from road tax and return up to 74.3mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle.

DRIVe models are available in ES, SE and SE Lux trim levels.

March 2011

Volvo announced that the C30 sports-coupe will now start from just £14,995 on the road. The Volvo C30 ES 2.0 petrol (145PS) comes with a multitude of standard features, including electronic climate control, 16" alloys, leather steering wheel and gearlever, Volvo's stability system (DSTC), power windows, information centre, floor mats, CD player with auxiliary input and passenger airbag cut-off switch.

The C30 is now offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines ranging from the 2.0 petrol to the T5 (230PS) and D2 (115PS) to the D4 (177PS). The C30 also comes with varying levels of specification from the ES to the SE Lux, including the sports derived R-Design trim and Congestion Charge beating DRIVe fuel economy range producing just 99g/km of CO 2 .