2008 Volvo C30 D5 first steer
February 14, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
While it may have plenty of character, it’s a remarkably smooth drivetrain, particularly on the highway. I would normally gripe about the fact that six speeds are better than five, but the gear ratios seem well placed and that extra cog may well be superfluous in the D5.
The C30 is a beautifully balanced car and despite its front wheel drive set-up, torque steer is non-existent. Cornering prowess and grip is extraordinary (even in the wet) and inspires a high level of confidence on any road surface. I think its fair to say, the D5 gives little away to its petrol-powered T5 sibling.
Ride quality is another feature of the C30, which deserves high praise. We unleashed our test car down our favourite 11 km twist fest, (rapidly deteriorating due to Sydney’s current wet season) and the experience could only be described as a comfortable affair.
There are two strong arguments for diesel power these days, low down torque and fuel economy.
For hilly cities such as Sydney, your best bet is the turbo diesel. Why? Because peak pulling power or torque, kicks in very low in the rev range, which provides a welcomed surge when climbing steep inclines or punting away from the lights.
With small petrol powered cars, peak torque usually arrives much later in the rev range, and only when the engine is singing its little heart out. Not usually a pleasant sound.
You’ve got to admire cars which are both quick and frugal. The C30 D5 is a member of that club. With a real world consumption figure close to 7.2l/100km (that’s more city than highway) the potential range using one tank of diesel is over 800km. Less trips to the petrol station is motivation enough these days.
You sit quite low in the C30, but then that’s a hallmark of the Porsche 911. For my money, the driving position is near perfect, with some of the most comfortable sports seats in the business. Volvo also does exceptional leather steering wheels, but then I’ve said that before.
Cockpit wise, the D5 is reasonably well equipped with electronic climate control, aluminium (yes the real thing) inlays in the doors and centre console, Performance Sound six-speaker audio unit, cruise control, steering wheel controls and 16-inch alloys to name just part of that list.
What you don’t get as standard kit but might have expected, is rain-sensing wipers (although its only a $250 option on all models), auto headlights on (not even an option) and rear park assist ($550).
Volvo has also introduced a new entry model in the range called the C30 S, powered by a five cylinder, 2.4 litre 20-valve petrol engine.
With a retail price of $34,450 for the five-speed manual and $35,950 for the Geartronic, it undercuts the C30 LE by $4000. Of course you don’t get quite the grade of kit you find in the more expensive models, but all the important stuff is there, including iPod input and Volvo’s exhaustive inventory of safety features such as; Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Airbag, driver and passenger dual stage, Inflatable Curtain (IC), Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), SIPS airbags in front seats, Anti submarining on all seats, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) and Stability and Traction Control (STC).
“The C30 D5 is not only more of a good thing, it’s on par with BMW’s 120d”
Pages: Page 1 Page 2
Pages: Page 1 Page 2
Print it: 
Nice car, but i would get the t5
Desirable niche vehicle.
Can’t understand why Ford will divest themselves of Volvo by auction as soon as the LR,Jaguar deal with Tata is completed.
Will probably end up in the hands of a faceless private equity company..
I really hope not – as not enough people know how good this thing really is!
Mitch – you can spec the D5 with the same suspension package from the T5 and a whole look good stuff. It’s hard to find any fault in the T5 other than fuel econ if you drive it hard.
found this on goauto, the d5 misses out on heaps of extras
T5’s standard ESP/DSC stability control function costs $2190 extra on the D5, the turbo-diesel C30 eclipses its turbo-petrol sibling to be the most expensive model in the range at $44,640.
And that gap becomes a chasm (extending to $56,800) when other standard T5 features are added to the D5: electrically adjustable driver’s seat ($1950), leather seats ($2850), heated front seats ($315), leather steering wheel ($550), leather gear knob ($200), six-stack CD audio ($2145), Performance Sound radio and speakers ($1350), Bi-Xenon headlights with wash system ($2350), puddle lights with electrically retractable door mirrors ($250), Interior Air Quality System with sensor ($250), auto-dim rear-view mirror ($390), rain-sensing wipers ($250), and 17-inch alloy wheels ($1500).
Mitch, not sure if anyone from GoAuto actually drove the car as I haven’t read the article.
Couple of things. As I said the D5 comes standard with Stability and Traction Control, what it misses out on is “Dynamic” Stability and Traction Control. Performance Sound AM/FM Radio, 6 speakers is standard on the D5. Not even the T5 comes with the the Premium Sound and 12 Dynaudio speaker. That’s a $950 option.
While I was focused more on the driving aspects of the car and the diesel pros and cons, I’ve got to agree with you that the T5 does look the better buy if you don’t mind spending a little extra on fuel.
The real crime with the pricing of the D5 C30 comes with the comparison between the D5 and similarly equipped S model with the 2.4i non-turbo engine. There is an $8,000 difference. But what really “rubs salt into the wound” is that the same comparison on the S40 and the V50 (with the C30 being nothing more than a 3-door hatch version of these cars) between the same engines and the same transmissions, there is only a $5,000 difference. Go figure?
Volvo’s “Stability and Traction Control” is just good old fashioned ‘traction-control’ renamed to confuse buyers. Wonder how many low-end Volvo owners believe they actually have a full stability control system. Volvo, For Life, yeah right. Cutting out something like that to make the price look good is pathetic.
The full “Stability and Traction Control” is now standard on all C30 models including the base car. Not so on the S40/V50, although Volvo say all cars will have it as standard by the end of the year. As to the price of the D5 it’s just crazy marketing. They’d sell a heap if priced properly. Volvo Australia should also look at importing the 2 litre diesel variant. It’s also a great engine and mates well with all S40, V50, C30 cars. Maybe they could sell that a decent price.
Toby – a couple of points.
To my understanding the DSTC is not standard across the C30 range. I know the Volvo Aust. website shows that it is, but I asked a Volvo salesman direct a couple of weeks ago and confirmed that it was only standard on the T5, suggesting the website was (and still is) wrong. Maybe he was wrong and it has changed.
Yes Volvo have announced from next years models, all Volvos will have DSTC as standard. But this in itself is a little cynical because from 2009 the organisation that does crash testing in Australia have said that no matter how well a car crashes, it will not get the full five stars unless it has stability control. There’s no reason Volvo could not have introduced DSTC this year or indeed any previous year (as does most European cars).
On the question of the 2.0l diesel. Yes from what I’ve read it is a good engine but unfortunately I understand its only available as a manual. While that may suit some people, the reality is most people prefer an auto.
Please don’t get me wrong about Volvo. I own a Volvo and are more than happy with it – its just I wish Volvo Australia would be a bit more realistic with some of their pricing policies and stop running silly ads – the most recent one for the new XC70 is a shocker.
I stand corrected. The 2.0l diesel will be available in European markets shortly with Volvo’s new “Powershift” auto trasmission which is a twin-clutch arrangement much like the VW/Audi DSG.
my sis in scotland has just bought a 2007 exdemo c30 diesel manual – she paid 16,500pounds (around $35k at today’s rates)so i guess the prices here in aus are not too far apart?
I agree with TonyB. I just bought a November 2006 BMW 120D with 13000kms on the clock for 46 drive away on the weekend, and the only competition was a new 308 XTE TDI or a 2007 C30 D5 with 5000km on the clock. Volvo wanted me to pay 54K for this white example with 18 inch mags and body kit fitted. And for that I still don’t get leather, park sensors etc.
Volvo have really messed up with their diesel strategy on the S40 and C30 by only making it available in S trim. All it’s competitors give their diesel premium hatch a concession for things such as leather, bluetooth etc, not so Volvo. I also have a 2006 Volvo S40 petrol LE, and that makes more sense new than an S40D5. Volvo Australia want you to pay 5k more for the D5 S than a petrol LE in both the S40 and C30, which is daylight robbery…. They’re trying to make a huge profit on the upsurge in diesel popularity in Oz, but with this strategy of D5 S trim, it’s quite clear why they’re probably not selling many. A real shame, as the D5 is a fantastic engine, one of the best diesel engines this side of a diesel 6 cylinder. But no one is going to buy a diesel at this premium if you can’t get leather and other goodies included as you do in the equivelent petrol