Volvo Unveils C30; US-Bound in MY 2008 or Later
29 September 2006
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| Volvo C30 |
Volvo has unveiled its new C30, the smallest car in Volvo’s model range, at the Paris Auto Show. For the European market, Volvo will offer the C30 with a range of gasoline, flex-fuel and diesel engines that can deliver fuel consumption as low as 4.9 liters/100km (48 mpg US).
Volvo has announced that it will bring the car to the US market as well, although no earlier than the 2008 model year. The C30’s primary markets will be in Europe, with the largest markets being Italy, the UK, Germany and Spain. Volvo Cars estimates global sales of the C30 at 65,000 units annually. Pricing and volume expectations for the US-bound C30 have not yet been set.
The Volvo C30 can be fitted with four and five-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, from 1.6 to 2.5 liters i displacement. All engines have four-valve technology and double overhead camshafts, which contribute to the quick response and good high-speed characteristics.
The most powerful gasoline engine (T5) is turbocharged, and has very high and even torque from low to high engine speeds (320 Nm from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm). For Sweden, Volvo is offering a 1.8-liter flex-fuel option.
| C30 Engine Options | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Engines | |||
| Engine | Configuration | Power kW (hp) | Torque Nm (lb-ft) |
| T5 (2.5L) | In-line 5-cyl. turbo | 162 (220) | 320 (236) |
| 2.4i | In-line 5 | 125 (170) | 230 (170) |
| 2.0 | In-line 4 | 107 (145) | 185 (137) |
| 1.8 | In-line 4 | 92 (125) | 165 (122) |
| 1.8 Flex-fuel | In-line 4 | 92 (125) | 165 (122) |
| 1.6 | In-line 4 | 74 (100) | 150 (111) |
| Diesel Engines | |||
| Engine | Configuration | Power kW (hp) | Torque Nm (lb-ft) |
| D5 (2.4L) | In-line 5-cyl. turbo | 132 (180) | 350 (258) |
| D5 (Belgium) | In-line 5 turbo | 120 (163) | 340 (251) |
| 2.0D | In-line 4 turbo | 100 (136) | 320 (236) |
| 1.6D | In-line 4 turbo | 80 (109) | 240 (177) |
All engines are transversely mounted in the engine bay, Turbo technology is used on the T5 engine and on all diesel engines to enhance performance.
A six-speed manual gearbox is used with the T5 and 2.0D engines and a five-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox is available with the five-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. A particulate filter is available with all diesel engines.
Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DTSC), is standard in most markets. Steering is electro-hydraulic (hydraulic for the 1.6-liter gasoline).
Nice, make the diesels Tier2Bin5 and bring it here Ford.
Posted by: allen Z | 29 September 2006 at 11:00 AM
I will buy a 1.6D as soon as it sets tire on U.S. shores. Heck, I'd even go for the 1.8 flex-fuel. I think I may be in a minority right now, but I will never buy another vehicle that can be powered only by petroleum.
Posted by: Bike Commuter Dude | 29 September 2006 at 11:13 AM
I like this better than the A3. Compact luxury cars are where my money will go as long as they can give it a drivetrain targeting frugality more than acceleration.
1.8L flex-fuel turbo would be nice. Actually just give me the flex fuel engine and I can turbocharge it myself, safely while running E85. Match the performance of the 2.4i engine with slightly better fuel economy I would hope.
Posted by: Patrick | 29 September 2006 at 12:19 PM
What is the point to produce new car with inferior engines? Especially from uplevel manufacturer? Last year garden variety Civic has 140hp 1.8 liter (on inferior American gasoline). And 5 cylinder engines? Another junk to fail on US market. But they always can claim that Americans do not like small cars.
Posted by: Andrey | 29 September 2006 at 02:57 PM
The T5 should be flex fuel. With adjustable boost it could take better advantage of ethanols high octane rating.
D5 for me please. And make it run on bio.
Posted by: James | 30 September 2006 at 06:39 AM
Patrick: in Europe the A3 starts with a 1.6 gas engine with identical fuel economy to the C30 (7 liter/100km). The Audi 1.9 diesel consumes 4.9 l/100km, which is also the same as the C30 1.6D.
If you're looking for more performance with frugality, the A3 is more attractive: the 2.0T engine has 200hp and consumes 7.7 l/100km, while the C30 2.4 has 170 hp and consumes 8.4 l/100km.
I personally give Audi credit for the 2.0T engine, which seems to be the most popular Audi engine for the A3 and A4 here in the Bay Area (and not the 3.2 6-cilinder).
Posted by: Jep | 30 September 2006 at 10:14 AM
Actually, Volvo has used the i-5 in several models including the S40, in the US. I doubt that they will import it with any other engines.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz | 30 September 2006 at 11:25 AM
I personally don't feel the A3 is more attractive and without knowing the final configuration of the [stateside] C30 I can't truly speak about which would be better.
The A3 is only offered with the 2.0T achieving 25mpg city 32mpg highway (US figures). It will soon be offered with the 3.2L V-6 pushing somewhere in the neighborhood of 250hp.
If the C30 can exceed the fuel economy of the A3, regardless of power output, I'd be more inclined to take it.
Posted by: Patrick | 01 October 2006 at 03:11 PM
Amazing product i have a Jetta TDI and am very happy with the way diesel technology has improved, although bit noisy . I hope they bring C30 in diesel to US market.
Posted by: Saj Rizwe | 23 February 2007 at 11:45 AM
Bring on the diesel for the us market plus the electric.
Posted by: ed sullivan | 24 July 2007 at 12:12 PM
I have been patiently waiting for something exactly like this. The demand in the US should be clear just by seeing the outragous prices that a used vw tdi will bring. For me it will be all about who brings the technology first. If it is audi, volvo or vw I dont care. I will buy the first reasonably priced car that becomes available. It looks like their time frame is very close to when the jetta tdi will be available.
It will also be interesting to see what happens to gas prices once enough people buy fuel efficient vehicles. I suspect if the US went to 50% diesel there would be a sudden surplus of oil on the market. Therefore the whole world could benefit from the US using substantially less fuel.
Posted by: Larry | 24 December 2007 at 01:31 PM
Does anyone have an update on the C30 Diesel-Hybrid coming available soon? What I have read about it so far is from old articles.
Posted by: Jacki | 05 April 2008 at 08:52 AM