2003 Volvo C70 Reviews

It’s hard to know exactly when Volvo decided it needed to move away from its safe and sound image and put some zing into its cars. Though it’s safe to say that the C70 coupe was one of the first models of the sexy new era for the Swedish brand.Volvo had built a reputation for producing safe, solid, dependable and environmentally friendly cars, which worked very well, but they needed something extra when that message ran out of steam in the late 1980s.The severe shapes that characterised previous models were softened and smoothed, and one of the models that resulted was the 70 series that replaced the old 700s. There was a sedan and a wagon, but the standout was the C70 coupe.MODEL WATCHIf the S70 sedan and V70 wagon were revelations given Volvo’s past, the C70 was the shock when the covers were pulled back to reveal the new model.The C70 was the same as its more family focussed siblings from the windscreen forward, but rear of the ’screen it was all new with sweeping curves, sculpted flanks and bulging wheel arches that combined for a strong powerful stance.Despite its coupe curves the C70 was still reasonably roomy inside with ample accommodation in the rear for a couple of adults.The new dash added to the new softness of the 70 series, the squared-off lines that had become Volvo’s calling card now flowed smoothly, the edges had been softened for a friendlier more welcoming feel.Inside, there was a luxury feel with leather trimmed seats and woodgrain trim, with a leather wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob.Then there was the long list of standard features which included a power sunroof, a superb 10-speaker sound system with a CD player and Dolby Surround Pro-Logic, power seats, power windows, cruise, trip computer, air-con, dual airbags, side airbags, remote central locking and immobiliser.Below the surface Volvo had switched the drive from its traditional rear drive to the more modern front-wheel drive system.For power it used a turbocharged double overhead camshaft five-cylinder engine that pumped out 176 kW of peak power at 5100 revs and maximum torque of 330 Nm. It was enough to have it reaching 100 km/h in less than seven seconds, and reach a top speed, which was electronically limited to 250 km/h.Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual, which was quite a slick gearbox in use or a four-speed auto, which was by far and away the preferred choice by Australians.A wider rear track gave the coupe a more stable footprint than its sedan and wagon cousins, and along with some retuning of the suspension helped make it quite well balanced on the road after a little turn-in reluctance typical of front-wheel drive cars.Low profile sports tyres provided its grip, while the standard 17-inch alloy wheels finished off its sporty appearance.Retardation came courtesy of four-wheel discs with ABS, and there was the added safety of traction control when applying the power.IN THE SHOPMany C70s will be in the hands of second and third owners, some of whom may not appreciate it as its first owner did. One of the consequences of that can be a lack of servicing, and with many approaching the 100,000 km mark they will be in need of a cam belt change.A check of the service record is imperative, particularly on any car that has passed the 120,000 km mark to make sure the belt has been changed.The C70 is generally a reliable and robust car that gives little trouble, but inspect potential buys closely for damage to the body and wear inside on the leather trim and select the best available car.Body rattles are fairly common, and the plastic rollers in the window winder mechanisms were known to break.IN A CRASHDual front and side airbags provide good secondary crash protection for the moment we all dread, while its agile chassis and powerful disc brakes will hopefully allow you avoid the collision.The annual survey of real life crashes showed the C70 to be better than average for occupant protection, but worse when it came to injuring those it hit.LOOK FOR• sexy coupe styling• turbo performance• well balanced handling• comfortable ride• lots of standard features• Volvo reliability• Body rattlesTHE BOTTOM LINEAttractive four-seater coupe with good performance, roomy interior, and lots of comfort.RATING80/100

And, given the push-button convenience of the latter these days, the car's upper garb often comes off quicker.Spring is also, of course, the time when Carsguide preaches to the convertible.It's a task made easier by the ever-expanding range of topless four-seaters _ cars that combine a decent degree of utility with a goodly serving of desirability _ so that now ever more are converting.The facility to have it off and on at will (most such lids fold up or down in around 20 seconds and some can do it at 30km/h) is worth a lot more as a selling point than all the kilowatts and cornering force figures in the world combined. Otherwise, just buy a coupe.Not that BMW's 125i (priced from$63,755) lacks a means of propulsion or is in any way reluctant to address bends.Even detuned to 160kW/270Nm, this three-litre jobbie is a classic example of the Bavarian's trademark in-line six _ which, combined with rear-wheel-drive dynamics, is unique among current compact convertibles.Contrary to the hairdryer image of this genre, the only thing soft about the 125i is its roof which, in a world increasingly given to folding metal numbers, is of fabric construction.For a car that, even by the compromised norm of this type, is knee-crushingly cramped in the back, it's starting to get bloody dear _ though even that's relative, given it's $30K easier on the wallet than the identically engined 325i.Equally, the Volkswagen Eos TFSI (from $49,990) offers value _ indeed, allure _ that would necessitate spending maybe $40K extra on a more prestigious badge.The VeeWee also boasts the best top of all these sometimes-roofless Germans: one with a number of variations, all of which enable it to be completely convincing as either a convertible or as a coupe. In either guise, it looks great.The TFSI shares the Golf GTI's platform and drivetrains: a slick, six-speed manual or a twin-clutch auto driving that sublime two-litre, direct-injection turbo four-potter.If you tick the optional sports suspension with 18-inch tyres box, it can do a fair dynamic imitation of this now-ubiquitous warmish hatch.So can Audi's A3 2.0 TFSI Cabrio (from $54,900) _ as it should, given that it has the same underpinnings and go bits as the allegedly humbler Eos.But although perceived prestige badges can have a disorienting effect on some punters' sense of proportion, the Eos's trick roof is enough to see it shroud out its soft-topped cousin.It used to be that to go topless in traffic, you had to be Swedish; time was, indeed, that Saab's 9-3 was synonymous with this sort of behaviour.But that was 10 years ago. Today, a 9-3 Convertible is an unreliable and outclassed alternative to simply wearing a T-shirt that reads: “Clueless”.Fortunately for Scando enthusiasts, there's Volvo's C70 T5 (from $79,950). No, it doesn't get up and go anything like those mentioned above (despite a worthy 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbo), much less handle.But it does have visual presence, GT composure, a smart folding metal roof and _ perhaps more to the Swede-lover's point _ a perceptible quality of having been hewn from something extremely solid and ever-so safe.Just as Lexus's IS sedan chucked a spanner into the compact prestige segment by doing a rear-drive/six-pots-up-front package that undercut the Germans for value, so too will the Lexus IS250C coupe/convertible.Seen at the Sydney motor show, this folding-aluminium-roof number is due in these parts in the second half of 2009 _ no doubt priced at a point to cause the Europeans maximum discomfort.The IS250C has a rear overhang some 50mm longer than the sedan, and Lexus claims class-leading boot space even with the lightweight, three-piece lid folded.Roof up, it looks better still, with a coupe sleekness that becomes the IS more than the four-door shape.The IS250C shares the sedan's 153kW/252Nm 2.5-litre V6 and six-speed, paddle-shift automatic.At $1.19 million, the ultimate convertible costs 20 times more than the least expensive car here, but the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is quite possibly the world's best car _so this seems only right and proper.We mention it mainly to have an excuse to run its exquisite likeness, because next to none of us is ever going to get into one.But it somehow helps to know that those who do have the wherewithal aren't wasting their dough on rubbish.Besides, as the stock market goes at the moment, a Rolls is probably a better investment than shares. 

The Swedish company more or less just cut the roof off the C70 coupe and the top-down cruiser wobbled and shook when confronted by small ripples in any road.A chassis engineer who worked on the car admitted to CARSguide that the team did the best with what they were given, but the body simply wasn't anywhere near stiff enough.So, looking back, the best things about the first C70 convertible were the way it looked, at least for a Volvo, and the first Dolby surround-sound system to be fitted in a car.Now we have the all-new C70 convertible, which replaces the coupe as well thanks to its folding metal hardtop.It is one of the new generation of coupe-convertible cars, which come in most classes from the forthcoming Nissan Micra to the Holden Astra and Volkswagen Eos to the BMW 3-Series convertible.Volvo developed the car in-house, building it off the same base as the S40 sedan-V50 wagon twins and the new C30 compact coupe.And it spent a lot more time, effort and money to make sure the new C70's body is twice as stiff as the last. As a consequence, the C70 carries about 100kg of extra bracing to reinforce the body so it feels tight even when the roof is folded into the boot.The two models in the new C70 range are the base LE, which costs $69,950, and the sportier turbo T5 model, $79,950.Neither car is cheap, but they seem a bargain compared with the original model, which cost $95,000 to $105,000 when it arrived in 1999. Volvo has also put a non-turbo motor in the LE entry-level car to help the priceline.The LE runs a 2.4-litre in-line five-cylinder petrol engine, mounted transversely (from right to left across the engine bay), which generates 125kW and 230Nm of torque.When you take into account the C70's kerb weight of 1646kg and compare that with the power and torque figures, it doesn't take a Formula One engineer to work out that the LE is more of a cruiser than a sportscar.The C70 T5 is a different animal. It runs a 2.5-litre in-line five with a big turbocharger. This engine, which is also used in Ford's red-hot Focus XR5 and Volvo's own C30 T5 hero car, pumps out 162kW and 320Nm.The LE and T5 come with a standard five-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. The C70 LE comes standard with anti-skid brakes, traction control, front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger as well as door-mounted curtain airbags. Yet, strangely, the LE misses out on electronic stability control, which you would expect to be fitted to all Volvos.Volvo has done its best to prevent a rollover by widening the car's track, the distance between the wheels across the axle, by 29mm to 39mm to make for a more stable vehicle.But if the C70 does happen to tip, steel roll bars that sit behind the rear seats shoot up to protect the occupants. They will do their job regardless of whether the top is up or down, and are fitted with spikes in case they need to punch through the rear glass window.Standard features for the LE include leather seats, climate control airconditioning, trip computer, cruise control, premium sound system and 17-inch alloy wheels.The T5 adds a 12-speaker Dolby surround-sound system, bi-xenon headlights, rain sensing wipers and 18-inch alloy wheels.On the RoadThe new C70 still has a great sound system but, unlike the model it replaces, it is also a pretty good car.Drop the roof and you will immediately notice the improvements in body stiffness. With its new buff body, the C70 rides and corners better, too, with almost none of the wobbling of the previous model.It is still not perfect and you can still feel some slight shakes with the roof down on bumpy roads, but it is no worse than most convertibles. Unfortunately, when the roof is up the serenity of the cabin is disturbed by constant creaking noises when travelling along uneven road or easing into driveways and car parks. It sounds as if the noise comes from the roof joints and can spoil a good drive.Volvo has set the C70 LE's suspension for cruising rather than agility. So it is on the softer side, but can be agitated by ruts and other sharper road imperfections.The C70 does seem to follow the road, in that its steering is affected by road conditions, and you have to make an extra effort to make sure the car is heading in the right direction.Listening to the sound system is a real treat, even in the LE model that misses out on the Dolby system. With a subwoofer mounted on the dashboard, this sound system invites you to put down the roof and turn up the volume up.

The new model is just the second generation of its kind. And with its stylish looks, impressive retracting roof and great sound system, it seems the negative stereotypes of the brand in the past have all but disappeared.The new C70 should equally appeal to the young and the young at heart.It is available in two engine sizes: a 2.4-litre, five-cylinder 125kW unit called the LE and for those after a little more fun there's also the 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, turbo-charged T5, delivering 162kW of power.Both are available in a six-speed manual or a five-speed Geartronic transmission.And the two are separated by $10,000 and some differing specs, the LE priced at $69,950 and the T5 carrying a $79,950 price point.And just because you can take the roof off, that doesn't mean the safety-crazy Swedes have sacrificed protection. The C70 program development director, Olle Odsell, says a new roll-over protection system provides a high level of safety for occupants."The roll-over protection system comes up in a roll-over or high-speed, rear-end collision to protect from flying objects," he says.The system is activated whether the roof is up or down, going through the back window when it is up. And while Odsell says the roof in the boot would "pretty much be a write-off" in a high-speed accident, it can take a collision of up to 15km per hour without any major damage. The roof takes 30 seconds to retract.And in doing so, it diminishes the amount of boot space, as you would expect. But there is still enough room for some smaller bags, although it is quite limited.The C70 also features other impressive Volvo technology such as door-mounted inflatable curtain airbags to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof, anti-lock braking system, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, Side Impact Protection System, Intelligent Driver Information System and the Whiplash Protection System. The C70 hasn't undergone official crash testing, but Volvo is confident it will be a top performer."We are claiming it's the world's safest convertible. That's us knowing how we've tested it and how it will perform," Volvo spokesman Todd Hallenbeck says. "We're confident it will be a five-star rating."The convertible has also experienced improved body torsional rigidity over the previous generation, by 50 to 100 per cent.And on the road, the car feels very strong and confident, tackling the twisting country roads around Victoria on its launch this week.While it's slightly heavier than its predecessor, the C70 is still quicker, with the manual T5 taking 7.6 seconds to reach 100km compared to the old figure of eight seconds.Turbo lag on the more powerful T5 is not much concern and it has great low speed and high speed dynamics.The lack of a real noticeable lag can be attributed to the high 320Nm of torque at low revs, coming through from 1500rpm to 4800rpm. Turning is also quite sharp and the T5 adjusted well on the winding roads to Mt Buller. It's not a convertible that will see you break any speed records on the road; the C70 is more of a classy, elegant performer.And it is still enjoyable to drive.When testing the manual T5, a rattle in the roof was evident when this was up. While the problem was annoying, it seemed to disappear after a while.With two comfortable larger seats in the back, Volvo also claims this is the first modern, four-seater, hard-top convertible. Hallenbeck says while other models may have four seats, they're more 2+2-seaters.With the roof up, tall passengers may be a bit pushed for room, but there is a decent amount of leg space considering it's a convertible.The C70 also shares the same wheelbase with the S40, but has a wider track.It was at first designed as a coupe and then engineered as a convertible.It is quite a long car, especially for a convertible, but sits at a similar size in appearance to its competitors.These include the BMW 3 Series, the Saab 9-3 and the Audi A4 convertibles.Differing features between the two models include a better sound system in the T5, bigger 18-inch wheels compared to the LE's 17-inch and Bi-Xenon lights on the range topper. Rear parking assist is standard on both models.The LE has a high performance sound system with eight speakers, whereas theT5 features a premium sound 12 Dynaudio speaker system, with a six-disc CD player.The interior is well suited to the style of the car, with Volvo's floating console, leather seats and efficient storage spaces.

The C70 coupe was one of the first models from Volvo's sexy new era. The severe shapes that characterised previous safe and sound models were softened and smoothed, and one of these models resulted in the 70 series that replaced the old 700s. There was a sedan and a wagon, but the standout was the C70 coupe.MODEL WATCHThe C70 was the same as its more family-focused siblings from the windscreen forward, but rear of the screen it was all new with sweeping curves, sculpted flanks and bulging wheel arches that combined for a strong powerful stance. Despite its coupe curves, the C70 was still reasonably roomy inside with ample accommodation in the rear for a couple of adults.The new dash added to the softness of the 70 series, the squared-off lines that had become Volvo's calling card now flowed smoothly and the edges had been softened for a friendlier, more welcoming feel. Inside there was a luxury feel with leather-trimmed seats and woodgrain trim, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-shift knob.Then there was the long list of standard features, which included a power sunroof, a superb 10-speaker sound system with CD player and Dolby Surround Pro-Logic, power seats, power windows, cruise, trip computer, airconditioning, dual airbags, side airbags, remote central locking and immobiliser.Below the surface, Volvo had switched the drive from its traditional rear drive to the more modern front-wheel drive system. For power it used a turbocharged double overhead camshaft five-cylinder engine, which pumped out 176kW of peak power at 5100rpm and maximum torque of 330Nm. It was enough to have it reaching 100km/h in less than seven seconds, and reach a top speed, which was electronically limited to 250km/h.Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual, which was quite a slick gearbox, or a four-speed auto, which was by far and away the preferred choice by Australians.A wider rear track gave the coupe a more stable footprint than its sedan and wagon cousins, and along with some retuning of the suspension, helped make it quite well-balanced on the road after a little turn-in reluctance typical of front-wheel drive cars. Low profile sports tyres provided its grip, while the standard 17-inch alloy wheels finished off its sporty appearance.IN THE SHOPMany C70s will be in the hands of second and third owners, some of whom may not appreciate it as its first owner did. The consequences can be a lack of servicing, and with many approaching the 100,000km mark, they will be in need of a cam belt change.Check the service record, particularly on any car that has passed the 120,000km mark and make sure the belt has been changed.Inspect potential buys closely for damage to the body and wear inside on the leather trim and select the best available car. Body rattles are a fairly common find, and the plastic rollers in the window winder mechanisms were known to break.CRUNCH TIMEDual front and side airbags provide good secondary crash protection, while its agile chassis and powerful disc brakes are designed for crash avoidance. The annual survey of real life crashes showed the C70 to be better than average for occupant protection, but worse when it came to injuring those it hit.RATING 16/20 Good-looking four-seater coupe featuring an impressive level of performance, as well as offering a roomy interior with heaps of comfort.