2008 Volvo C30

Introduced as a concept car a few years ago in Geneva, Volvo has not only announced the production of the sporty C30 hatchback, it has announced that this car will come to America later this year.Due in showrooms in summer 2007 as a 2008 model, the C30 is a three-door hatchback that's some 9 inches shorter than Volvo's current small car in the U.S., the S40 sedan.Targeted at young and young-at-heart drivers, the C30 will be powered by a 218-horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder T5 gasoline engine with 236 lb-ft of torque available from 1500 to 4800 rpm.According to Volvo officials, the turbocharged engine makes the lightweight C30 accelerate from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds.At the North American debut in Los Angeles, Volvo Cars of North America President Anne Belec said the company wants "to bring new customers in when they are young" and hope to keep them in Volvo vehicles over the years.The C30 seats four, with individual, bucket-style, back seats that are moved a bit toward the center to provide forward visibility around the front seats.Belec said Volvo will offer a variety of accessories for young, active buyers, including snowboard and bicycle racks. Also offered will be optional two-tone body kit combinations that can add contrasting-color lower body pieces.Volvo's Senior Vice President and Design Director Steve Mattin said the company decided to put this option into production after receiving good response on the subtle two-tone appearance on the C30 concept car.As with all Volvos, the C30 will offer plentiful safety features including curtain airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints and advanced body structure.
The company will announce pricing closer to the C30 on-sale date.