The C30: A Surprisingly Fun Sports Hatch from Volvo

This is not some sort of Bond car; it's a brand-new sports hatch that hits 60 miles an hour in just over six seconds, runs onto nearly 150, and promises a driving experience designed to make you smile. You'd never get it but this is a Volvo, the C30. It's kind of a weird mix of small coop and big hatch, which is taking Volvo into a marketplace that it hasn't visited in a very long time.

Immediately, the c30 feels like it's got game. The base model starts at $15,000, making it an affordable entry point for those looking for a fun driving experience. But what really sets the C30 apart is its interior design. The interiors are available in far livelier colors than usual, and they're also tapping into iPod chic with a white color scheme that comes with brown yes, brown body kit. This attention to detail and bold aesthetic choice will appeal to those looking for a car that's not just functional but also fashionable.

One of the standout features of the c30 is its optional 10 speaker surround sound system from Dynaudio. It's really loud, and when you crank up the treble, it's almost like having a mini concert in your car. But what's even more impressive is the design behind this feature. The floating center console is a work of art, and it's easy to see why it could be hung on the wall. This attention to detail and focus on user experience shows that functionality doesn't have to be ugly.

Another innovative feature of the c30 is its blind spot information system, known as Bliss. It uses small cameras to detect if anything starts to overtake, illuminating a warning light when something sits in your blind spot. While it's a nice idea, there are some caveats: it apparently doesn't work very well in fog. Thankfully, the model we're driving is a top-spec T5 SE Sport, which comes with an engine used in the Focus ST.

This 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine gives us 220 brake horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, making for a thrilling driving experience. And when you put your foot down, it certainly feels like more than just any car. The front 17-inch wheels add to the premium feel, but what's truly impressive is the c30's ability to find loads of grip even in tight corners.

It's worth noting that the c30 is a strict four-seater, although the back seats are mounted in bulk, providing everyone with a better view. If you don't need the speed, then the excellent 5 diesel engine with nearly 180 brake horsepower might be the best choice. This model won't win any awards for looks, but it's more of a premium drive than a sporting one, so it's not the one that'll get your pulse racing.

However, spend a little time with the c30, and its little attributes will start to grow on you. It's quick, competent, and – dare I say it – fun. And what's going on here is that you're smiling while driving a Volvo? That's a rare occurrence indeed. The c30 is not just a car; it's an experience.

One final note: remember that the c30 is designed to make you smile, so don't expect too much drama or seriousness from this car. It's meant to be enjoyed, and with its unique blend of design and functionality, it's sure to put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthis is not some sort of Bond car it's a brand-new sports hatch that hits 60 miles an hour in just over six seconds runs onto nearly 150 and promises a driving experience designed to make you smile you'd never get it but this is a Volvo the C's 30 it's kind of a weird mix of small coop a-and big hatch which is taking Volvo into a marketplace that it hasn't visited in a very long time and immediately the c30 feels like it's got game the base model starts at 15 grand the interiors are available in far livelier colours than usual and they're also tapping into iPod chic with a white color scheme that comes with brown yes brown body kit the c30 comes with an optional 10 speaker surround sound system from Dynaudio and its really loud listen crank up the treble it's also got some really brilliant design in here I mean I could almost hang this wicked floating center console on the wall it's that cool and it's also really easy to use which just proves that functionality doesn't have to be ugly and how's this for a gadget Bliss is the blind spot information system small cameras detect if anything starts to overtake and illuminate a warning light when something sits in your blind spot nice idea although apparently doesn't work very well in fog the model we're driving is a top spec t5 se sport it costs 23,000 pounds and comes with the engine as used in the Focus ST that means a 2.5 liter turbocharged five cylinder it also gives us 220 brake horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque all trying to clippity-clop their way out through the front 17 inch wheels ok so it certainly feels a bit more premium than hard but it seems to find loads of grip even in those tight corners it doesn't feel very Volvo II which is a good thing so we've got hatch this more stylish than most hatches and a coupe a that is more practical than most coupe ace it's quick and it's competent dare I say even fun my god I'm smiling and driving a Volvo quickly what's going on here it's worth remembering that the c30 is a strict four seater although the back seats are mounted in bulk so everyone gets a better view if you don't need the speed then I suspect the excellent 5 diesel with very nearly 180 brake horsepower is the best choice that will cost you 20 to gravity no I don't think it's the best looking thing in the world and I actually think it's more of a premium Drive than a sporting one so it's not the one that really gets your pulse racing but you spend a little time with it and all its little attributes start to really grow on youthis is not some sort of Bond car it's a brand-new sports hatch that hits 60 miles an hour in just over six seconds runs onto nearly 150 and promises a driving experience designed to make you smile you'd never get it but this is a Volvo the C's 30 it's kind of a weird mix of small coop a-and big hatch which is taking Volvo into a marketplace that it hasn't visited in a very long time and immediately the c30 feels like it's got game the base model starts at 15 grand the interiors are available in far livelier colours than usual and they're also tapping into iPod chic with a white color scheme that comes with brown yes brown body kit the c30 comes with an optional 10 speaker surround sound system from Dynaudio and its really loud listen crank up the treble it's also got some really brilliant design in here I mean I could almost hang this wicked floating center console on the wall it's that cool and it's also really easy to use which just proves that functionality doesn't have to be ugly and how's this for a gadget Bliss is the blind spot information system small cameras detect if anything starts to overtake and illuminate a warning light when something sits in your blind spot nice idea although apparently doesn't work very well in fog the model we're driving is a top spec t5 se sport it costs 23,000 pounds and comes with the engine as used in the Focus ST that means a 2.5 liter turbocharged five cylinder it also gives us 220 brake horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque all trying to clippity-clop their way out through the front 17 inch wheels ok so it certainly feels a bit more premium than hard but it seems to find loads of grip even in those tight corners it doesn't feel very Volvo II which is a good thing so we've got hatch this more stylish than most hatches and a coupe a that is more practical than most coupe ace it's quick and it's competent dare I say even fun my god I'm smiling and driving a Volvo quickly what's going on here it's worth remembering that the c30 is a strict four seater although the back seats are mounted in bulk so everyone gets a better view if you don't need the speed then I suspect the excellent 5 diesel with very nearly 180 brake horsepower is the best choice that will cost you 20 to gravity no I don't think it's the best looking thing in the world and I actually think it's more of a premium Drive than a sporting one so it's not the one that really gets your pulse racing but you spend a little time with it and all its little attributes start to really grow on you\n"