Volvo C70 revealed before Frankfurt
September 1, 2009 by David Twomey
Volvo’s revamp of its C70 convertible for next year has been revealed, by the carmaker itself, ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.
The images reveal a new frontal look that draws from the S60 concept shown earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show and the recently launched XC60 SUV.
While there are some minor changes around the rear, the side and rear views show little change, unlike the front, which has a stronger restyling, taking on the sharper look of the S60.
Volvo says that equipped with the same smart three-piece steel roof, practical seating for four adults and world-leading convertible safety, the new C70 features a revised front and rear design, along with an updated interior.
“The Volvo C70 has classic convertible lines and a strong identity of its own,” explained Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.
“What we have done is to carefully redesign the front and rear so they harmonise more with both today’s and tomorrow’s Volvo models.
“We have also increased the exclusiveness of the materials and trim details to enhance the atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car,” he added.
Volvo agrees with us saying that with its new front, the Volvo C70 reveals traces of the S60 Concept Car that was unveiled at the Detroit auto show earlier this year, bringing the C70 in line with Volvo’s new design language.
Bodywork details such as the front wings have also been redesigned, while the nose is more wedge-shaped and has been given added three-dimensional depth by moving some elements of the front.
The new headlamps and the décor around the fog lamps, for instance, have been angled offset up and to the rear, at the same time as the detailing of the lower grille has been enhanced.
From head-on, the front forms an open, inviting “V”. The enlarged iron mark and the new, larger air intake reinforce the self-assured stance.
Owners who want to be seen even more can specify a dramatic new red colour, Flamenco Red Pearl.
The high-tech LED lamps, the same type as found on the Volvo XC60, are the most noticeable update at the rear.
The interior has been updated in several respects to create a unique ambience in the Volvo C70.
The instrument panel has been redesigned, giving it a wider, sleeker look and the surface of the panel has a new texture that enhances the feeling of quality.
The new instruments, with gauges and graphics specific to the C70, are yet another example of how the car’s premium feel has been emphasised still further.
The new Volvo C70 has been engineered as one of the safest convertibles on the market, as regards both active and passive safety.
The Volvo C70 has sturdy metal hoops that shoot up behind the rear seat passengers to create added protective space should the car roll over.
The updated Volvo C70 is due for arrival in Australia in March 2010.
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Loving the new layout!!!
I have to say that I’m a fan of that more than the old version, but it still won’t be as sporty as an Eos (of which I’d maybe buy over this). At least the facelift makes it look less frumpy! Pretty cool!
To add to my above comment, with those wheels and in that colour I get alot of Lexus IS250C from the overall look. Something deliberate?
Really Jake – I think the Lexus IS250C looks more like a Japanese version of a Chrysler Sebring rather than a European Cabriolet such as this.
I like the way the C70 looks more modern yet still has a trace of the traditional Volvo design – with the defined shoulders and squared off rear end
Too much like the VW Eos… even the roof mechanism and placements look exactly replicated
The Eos came after the C70. Remember that this is just a facelift, most of the car is the same from the last model.
Looks great, but then it always did. I think this was the first CC to look truly good with both roof up and down. The only thing that puts me off is the fact that the roof takes an awfully long time to go up and down which really doesn’t help the already slightly cumbersome image that many Volvos still have.
If you buy a convertible you buy it for looks and the sass not for it’s dynamic ability. But if this can level with the eos then it’ll be very nice. Love the quirky Volvo interior, as always.
I like the look of the front and the side… then I saw the back, it looks dated already.
miss the live comments
Does it have two antenna? The shark fin one on the boot lid and a traditional one on the side?
Looks great.. and stacks better with the roof up than the VW EROS. Mind you the new 308cc – not that I am a Peugeot fan – looks evern better than all of these CC’s. BTW – on the Car Advice home page down the bottom – where’s the ALFA logo? I see Aston Martin and Audi…
totally agree. looks and styling the 308cc has it on both the eos and the volvo, although i relly thing that the new IS250c is a competitive contender at the moment as well.
Tha fin on the boot is for the sat nav Alan
Maybe just me but the angles of the new headlights & front bumper do not gel with the lines of the rest of the car. Lacks the cohesiveness of the old design pre facelift.
Looks like a Geely knockoff already – Perhaps they need to show they too can do styling faux pas to mix it with the Chinese.
Ugly. Inside and out.