Volvo C30 DRIVe 2012 Review

When I was growing up we had a few Volvos - big, square-jawed "Swedish Valiants" with big bumpers and little four-cylinder engines that worked hard to get the sedans from A to B in reasonable time. Fast-forward to present day and I'm back in a Volvo - the greenie version of the little C30 hatch, the DRIVe turbodiesel manual - that drivetrain doesn't sound thrilling, but it's not a horror story.

VALUE

The little Swede is a four seater priced from $36,990 - smack dab in the middle of Prius territory but more than the similarly-aimed $28,990 Golf Bluemotion.

The C30 features list has cloth trim, dual-zone climate control, manually-adjustable front seats and a 50/50 splitfold set-up for the rear, front power windows (the rears are fixed, which was not popular), cruise control, rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rearvision mirror, a trip computer, Bluetooth phone and audio link for the eight-speaker USB/auxiliary equipped sound system.

There's also power-adjustable folding mirrors (with handy puddle lamps), a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for sound and cruise functions, a leather-wrapped gearshift and 16in alloy wheels (but no spare).

TECHNOLOGY

There's a long list of bits designed to reduce fuel use, starting with a stop-start fuel-saving system - in neutral with the left foot off the clutch the car it turns itself off, re-starting (with something of a shake, rattle and roll) when the clutch pedal heads back towards the firewall.

Volvo claims the idle-stop system can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by between 4 and 8 per cent, depending on driving conditions.

The DRIVe also features a regenerative braking system to charge the car's battery on deceleration - Volvo says there's another two or three per cent fuel saving there.

The little 1.6-litre turbocharged common-rail direct-injection four-cylinder variable-geometry turbodiesel has had an upgrade - 84kW of power at 3600rpm and 240Nm of torque (between 1750 - 2500 rpm) - to lay claim to 3.9 litres per 100km on the combined fuel economy cycle, suggesting a range of more than 1300km from the 52-litre tank.

DESIGN

The C30 design has been around for more than a couple of years but the little turbodiesel model has a few extra bits to reduce its thirst. The hatch has a wind-deflecting pane behind the grille, a rear spoiler, diffuser-equipped rear bumper, wind deflectors ahead of the front wheels, underbody aerodynamic changes and low rolling resistance Michelin tyres.

The cabin is snug but not uncomfortably so, the four individual seats are reasonably supportive - there's aluminium trim bits and leather on the wheel and the gearshift and it has a few neat little storage spaces. The boot is useful - if not huge - at 233 litres, rising to 876 litres with the back seats folded.

SAFETY

Volvo has long been synonymous with safety and the little 'un is not exceptions - five stars from the NCAP crash test program, with six airbags (front, front-side and curtain), stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes and rear parking sensors. There's also something of a throwback to Volvos of olde - daytime running lights - although the 21st century has brought LED technology into play.

DRIVING

Little diesels can be fun and the Europeans are regularly giving us reasons to believe.

Volvo's C30 DRIVe is not the most powerful but it is more than serviceable in day to day traffic, although this auto-addicted market won't see it sell to the masses.

An auto is coming but anyone capable of operating a clutch pedal will enjoy zipping up and down the cogs and surfing the solid surge - although it's not impossible to stall it - but 11.3 seconds to 100km/h is a bit of a dawdle.

Short-shifting through to fifth or sixth is easily done and at the end of our time with the C30, the trip computer suggested it was sipping at 5.8 litres per 100km from the 52-litre tank.

A brisk hills drive showed the C30 has a more-than competent chassis in the bends, without crowding the sportier C30 models.

Ride quality is not this car's main claim to fame but it does the job - Volvo are getting better at the ride handling compromise but it's not a done deal.

VERDICT

If you want something stylish and frugal then the C30 is worth considering - it's not the cheapest of the little Euro-diesels with the best of intentions for fuel economy and emissions, but the little Swede goes it's own way and that may hold some appeal.

VOLVO C30 DRIVE

Price: from $36,990
Warranty: 3 years, unlimited km
Resale: 54% Source: Glass's Guide
Service interval: 15,000km or 12-months
Economy: 3.9 l/100km, on test 5.8, tank 52 litres; 104g/km CO2
Safety equipment: six airbags, ABS, EBD, stability control
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: 84kW/270Nm 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve common-rail direct-injection turbodiesel four-cylinder, with a stop-start fuel-saver system and diesel particulate filter.
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body: 2-door, 4 seats
Dimensions: 4266mm (L); 1782mm (W); 1447mm (H); 2640mm (WB)
Weight: 1354kg
Tyres: size 205/55R16, no spare - tyre mobility kit.