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| On the road The new Volvo C70, a very classy coupé-cabriolet Refined design, electric folding hardtop, 180 hp diesel engine, increased safety... The Swedish manufacturer has made a firm decision to make up for past shortcomings.
The old C70 came in a choice of coupé or traditional soft-top convertible. So in this respect, Volvo seemed rather out of step with current trends. Moreover, the body lacked rigidity, posing a serious safety problem. With the new C70, built in Uddevalla in Sweden, Volvo is innovating at every level. First of all, we are faced with a coupé-cabriolet equipped with a three-piece retractable steel roof and sophisticated kinematics. So at just the press of a button, the roof opens and closes at will. The absence of a fixed roof has been compensated for by state-of-the-art technology and reinforcements, for example the door-mounted curtain airbags which automatically inflate upwards upon side impact, to protect the passengers' heads; these airbags (not generally available in coupé-cabriolets) remain inflated as deployed in the event of a rollover: a unique solution in the automotive world!
The old model's deplorable lack of body rigidity has now been made good with torsional rigidity increased by 10 to 15%, which means that the vehicle is also heavier. This more robust body is not just a factor in safety and protection (avoiding cracks in the reinforcements and roof!), it also guarantees better road stability: the car is easier to handle, more pleasant to drive and more dynamic. Aesthetically, the design of the C70 - the work of Pininfarina, eminent Italian design house and cabriolet specialist - is a great success: indeed it is not easy to come up with a shoulder line that suits both a coupé and a convertible. Its silhouette is svelte and harmonious (in the manner of the S80, S60 and S40), with a forward-thrusting nose section and flowing lines to the rear, unlike the imposing lines of the Renault Mégane CC or Peugeot 307 CC. The other strong point of the new C70 is its passenger compartment: as wide as the previous model's, it can accommodate four adults and their luggage. In the premium convertible segment the C70 is therefore one of the first to offer such a spacious interior, which Volvo believes should boost sales. As for engines, the new C70 will be launched early 2006 with the marque's traditional 5-cylinder naturally aspirated engines: a 140 and 170 hp 2.4 litre, and a powerful 220 hp 2.5 litre turbo engine. A 180 hp 5-cylinder 2.5 diesel engine will join the line-up later on in the year.
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