Volvo’s all-new C70 one fine ride
This spring, Volvo introduces the C70, a two-door, four-passenger hardtop convertible. Now Volvo owners can enjoy the wind-in-your-hair thrill of drop-top driving plus the security and convenience of a power-operated retractable hardtop.
Bonus: There’s really is room for four adults. The C70 includes Best in Segment passenger room and roof-up cargo capacity. Those clever designers even figured out how to create space in the cargo area for groceries (or golf clubs).
To more accurately assess the practicality of the all-new C70, Volvo had us test the convertible on the Road to Hana, a notoriously twisty road on the remote tip of Maui that features 600 curves, 54 one-lane bridges and more blind corners than my passenger could count with his eyes closed.
One six-hour drive took us from the on-again off-again precipitation of the rain forest to howling winds at the top of Mount Haleakala, a dormant volcano more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The extreme climate changes gave us ample opportunity to raise and lower the power-operated top in a variety of conditions.
Unlike the tourists struggling to snap on the canvas tops of their Jeep Wranglers, we simply pressed a button and in 30 seconds we were traveling in an elegant, whisper-quiet coupe.
Volvo designers used mechanical improvements and one darned clever idea to make the concept of a retractable hardtop work. The novel design allows three sections of the steel roof to slide under each other so the whole thing slips neatly into the 12.8 cubic-foot trunk.
The all-new C70 shares its front-wheel-drive platform with the S40 sedan and V50 wagon and borrows their light-pressure turbocharged inline-five cylinder engine that generates 218 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 236 foot-pounds of torque from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm. Matched with a six-speed manual gearbox or optional five-speed adaptive automatic, the C70 launches from 0-to-60 in less than 7.5 seconds.
On the Road to Hana, the C70 was stable, precise and fun to drive, although it’s a bit too heavy to be truly nimble. Should the unthinkable have occurred, a second-generation rollover protection system and door-mounted inflatable side curtains would have provided protection.
Volvo began the design of the C70 with the bold shape of a coupe, then integrated iconic Volvo elements such as the classic “V” nose and Volvo taillights. For aerodynamic reasons, the back-end is sheered off to a rather abrupt tail.
Mindful of its Scandinavian heritage, the handsome interior boasts a simple, modern design — smart and functional with an artistic aesthetic. A razor thin stack, for example, floats between the front seats, providing futuristic-looking accommodations for climate and audio controls.
At $38,710 (plus $695 for destination charges), the C70 comes appropriately loaded with luxury features including a high performance audio system with eight speakers, amplifier, redundant steering wheel controls and an in-dash six CD changer. Options include a Dynaudio Package ($1,550) that features 12 Dynaudio speakers and dual subwoofers for 910 watts of audio enjoyment. The sound is stunning with the roof up or down.
Volvo promises to add satellite radio and Bluetooth technology next year.
The development and manufacture of the all-new Volvo C70 is the result of a joint venture with renowned Italian design firm Pininfarina. However, the convertible is manufactured in Uddevalla, Sweden.
The C70 arrives at dealerships a rather exclusive car. Volvo expects to sell just 16,000 units worldwide. An estimated 8,000 of those will go to U.S. buyers.
Volvo representatives say the company hasn’t given up on pioneering safety features, but is broadening its scope to include excitement. Yep, excitement. The C70, Volvo says, is the first of a new wave of exciting, innovative cars from Volvo.