- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
2.4T, 5 cyl.
- Engine Power
142kW, 270Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
2 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
You can leave your hat on
Good: Sleek and stylish. Genuine four-seater, with luxurious seats and, for rear seat passengers, plenty of space and comfort. Safe. The mother of factory car sound systems.
Bad: Weak body feels hinged in several places. Z-grade suspension tuning contributes to very loose and untidy handling when driven with moderate verve, plus a harsh ride. Spongy brakes.
Verdict: Not boxy, not good.
Rating: 2 stars (out of 5).
Conceived and born in the US, the Volvo C70 convertible is in many ways a throwback to the classic American cruisers of the '50s and '60s. It doesn't have humpback-sized fins, whitewall tyres or a big V8 up front, but the C70 is first and foremost a big pleasure craft, a Xanadu on wheels; its only connection with small, sporty open tops is the stowable roof.
A quick flick through the C70 brochure is sufficient to understand its purpose and priorities. There are lush, large-format images of stunning So Cal coastal scenery throughout, a double-page spread shot revealing the sumptuous four-seater interior, an entire page on the sound system, the usual detailed explanation of Volvo comprehensive safety features and a four-page options gatefold with no fewer than 28 interior and 13 exterior colours, four wood/metal/marble-effect dash trims and six alloy wheel styles.
The C70's performance and handling credentials are dispensed with in a few short paragraphs.
Two versions are available. The 2.4T, priced at $92,488, runs a low-pressure 2.4-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine, which produces 142kW. The $102,490 T5 uses a 2.3-litre turbo five, pumped up to deliver 176kW. A five-speed manual is standard; a four-speed auto adds $2,500.
The C70 is a genuine four-seater. Up front, the automotive equivalent of the Jason recliner rocker (electrically adjustable, heated, and with memory on the driver's side) features Volvo's WHIPS system, which simultaneously moves the head restraints forward and reclines the seat to cradle your head and neck in a rear-end impact, minimising whiplash injury.
Each front seat is also fitted with a full length side airbag, while two front airbags are fitted in the dash.
Tall drivers may require more front seat travel, but with the roof up there's generous headroom throughout.
The back seat is luxuriously comfortable, supportive and spacious by convertible standards. Behind it are two roll bars, which pop up automatically when sensors detect a possible roll-over. Tensioners are fitted to all four belts.
Raising or lowering the roof is a push-button job, which takes about 30 seconds. The double-skinned top is stowed in the boot, and has a glass rear window with an electric demister. Rear vision with the roof raised is severely restricted - you have no idea where the back is when reversing, and over-the-shoulder vision is blocked by the rear section.
In top-down mode, with the side windows up, turbulence is minimal; an optional wind deflector, which fits behind the front seats, further calms the air when only two people are aboard.
Much of the C70's boot space is taken up by roof storage. There's plenty of floor; only thin items will fit under the roof storage section, but a couple of large bags can also be carried. Under the floor is a space-saver spare.
A sea of buttons covers the C70's dash and centre console, but once you know what you're looking for the layout works well. A height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel and electric seat adjustment make it easy to find the right driving position.
The 2.4T's standard equipment list includes automatic air-conditioning, power everything, cruise control, leather seat facings and wheel cover, remote central locking, immobiliser, trip computer and enough audio power to stun low flying birds.
A four-channel, 60 watt 10-speaker system is standard. The 2.4T was fitted with the full house 4x100 watt Dolby Surround Pro Logic extravaganza, 13 Dynaudio speakers and a three-CD in-dash player-radio-cassette with RDS. A six-CD stacker in the boot is optional.
The C70's performance and dynamics are unlikely to be stretched in its natural environment - sashaying around Sydney's eastern suburbs - but even here it is obvious that, while Volvo has the hedonistic aspects of convertible design well covered, it still has far to go before it masters some of the difficult engineering compromises.
Like all convertibles, the C70 has extra reinforcing in the floor to compensate for the absence of a solid roof, but despite weighing in a hefty 1,600-plus kg it still lacks acceptable structural integrity by current standards.
At the slightest provocation the Volvo flexes and twists, the dash assembly and steering shake and the doors creak in their housings. On a rough city street the firm underpinnings gives the body, and occupants within, a pounding. At times, each corner of the car can feel like it wants to go in a different direction.
The 2.4T is fitted with "Comfort" suspension; one shudders (pun intended) to think what the T5's "Dynamic" (ie, firmer) tuning does for ride comfort and handling.
Driven with enthusiasm, the C70 inspires no confidence. Its light, overassisted steering loads up and loses feel when changing direction quickly. Tight corners induce relentless understeer and lurching weight transfer.
Oversprung and underdamped, the suspension fails to control body movement and maintain some semblance of balance. To counteract the dynamic chaos going on above, the Volvo needs every bit of grip the 225/50 tyres (on 16-inch alloy wheels) can muster.
The 142kW turbo five, driving the front wheels via the four-speed auto, takes a while to get the heavy C70 mobile. This accounts for the slowish 10.2 seconds for the 0-100 km/h trip.
Once it reaches 2,000 rpm (100 km/h in fourth) the turbo starts working properly, smoothness and responsiveness improve and the Volvo glides easily along.
Highway fuel consumption is a reasonable 8-9 litres/100km, but the kilograms cost in stop-start traffic; 15-17 litres/100km is relatively thirsty.
The automatic's technology is basic, with no sequential or adaptive features, but the shifts are quite smooth. Get busy with the accelerator and some flaring occurs between changes.
Anti-lock brakes pull the C70 up swiftly, but the test car's pedal was dead and spongy, with little feedback and progression at suburban speeds. Traction control and electronic brake force distribution are fitted.
The C70 2.4T certainly looks - and when you first hop in feels - like $90,000-plus worth; when rolling it is the loosest, most uninspiring 90 grand around. Of necessity, a large, luxury convertible sacrifices some rigidity and dynamic ability to the cause of blue sky motoring - but the Volvo goes close to giving it all away.
Vital signs
Volvo C70 2.4T convertible
Engine: 2.4-litre fuel-injected turbocharged five-cylinder.
Power: 142kW at 5,100rpm (above average).
Performance: 0-100km/h in 10.2 seconds (slowish).
Brakes: Discs with ABS (below average).
Economy: 8-9 litres/100km highway (average); 16-17 litres/100km city (thirsty).
Prices: Recommended retail - $92,488; T5 $102,490; Street price - limited numbers, no deals.
Main options: Automatic transmission $2,500; metallic pearl paint.
Warranty: Two years/unlimited kilometres (below average).
Residual value: 52-55 percent after 3 years.
Safety rating: Good.
Alternatives
BMW 328 Executive $96,950
Mercedes-Benz CLK 200 Avantegarde $103,200
Saab 9-3 SE $83,900.