28 Sep 06 14:00
Volvo is displaying its C30 "Sportscoupe" three-door hatchback in SE Sport trim at the show, and has announced pricing and specification detail for the UK. It'll go on sale at the end of the year.
Eight engines will be offered: 1.6 (100bhp), 1.8 (125bhp) and 2.0 (145bhp) petrol units, 1.6 (109bhp) and 2.0 (136bhp) diesels, the five-cylinder 2.4i (170bhp) and T5 (220bhp, turbocharged) petrol engines, and the 180bhp D5 diesel. The T5 - closely related to the Ford Focus ST, with which it shares its engine and much of its underpinnings - is good for 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds, but Volvo is also promising competitive running costs for the less performance-oriented models; the 1.6 S accrues just £640 a year in company car tax, for example, and leasing companies are predicting strong residual (resale) values.
It's not going to be super-cheap, however: in line with Volvo's ambitions to position the C30 against the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, it's priced accordingly, though competitively. The 1.6 S starts at £14,750, though the T5 SE Sport/SE Lux looks better value at £22,995. The most expensive model, as yet, is the D5 with Geartronic auto gearbox, at £23,795.
S-spec models have a high standard equipment level, though, with climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels, an alarm, electric front windows, a CD player, power/heated door mirrors, remote central locking, stability and traction control, anti-whiplash seats, and side curtain airbags. SE models add 17-inch alloys, aluminium interior trim details, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, front fog lights, a trip computer, bottle holder, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers, body-coloured door mirrors and (D5/T5 only) a rear spoiler.
SE Sport versions, seen for the first time in Paris and closest to the Design Concept shown in Detroit last January, have 18-inch alloys, front and rear spoilers, extended side sills and a leather steering wheel, and SE Lux models have SE kit plus, instead of all the sporting touches, leather upholstery, power-folding door mirrors, heated front seats, headlamp washers, luxury floor mats and different 17-inch alloys, as well as a rear spoiler.
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