Spin spin sugar with the redesigned Volvo C30

MANILA, Philippines - Talk about being on a roll... When the Volvo C30 burst onto the automotive scene three years ago, it caused more than just a few heads to turn. Make that spin. Admittedly, it was the exclamation point on the even then already strong statement that the Swedish carmaker was hell bent on proclaiming – that a new Volvo era had arrived. Marketing efforts like a co-staring role in the hit movie series Twilight further bolstered its appeal to the young and young at heart. In fact, three years removed from its smashing debut, it’s still flying off showrooms. Did Volvo even think to quit while they were ahead? Heck no! A debut like that needs an encore, after all. And so we have the redesigned, sweetly sugar coated new C30 – which is both sleeker and more technologically advanced for 2010.

Volvo’s designers have given the C30 all-new front styling with a radically altered fascia, fenders, trapezoidal headlights and honeycomb grille which is highlighted by an enlarged Volvo iron mark. Along with the angled lines of the front bumper, the new headlights, drawn offset and up, reinforce the impression of speed and sportiness. While the biggest changes for the C30 are at the front, the contours of the rear fascia are also curvier and more dynamic than that of the previous variant. Best of all, fuel-economy savvy Volvo fans can now be assured of better mileage. Thanks to the fuel-saving dual-clutch Powershift technology, the new C30 consumes up to 8% less fuel than the variant it replaces (around 9 to 10 km/l, depending on how heavy your right foot is).

Now, while we laud Volvo’s fuel saving efforts, we’ve always been firm believers in Volvo’s turbocharging prowess. Despite the admittedly unconventional 5-cylinder set-up, power delivery of the more than 200 horses in their turbocharged models have always been more than satisfactory. Which is why we were mildly disappointed when we found out that the first dibs test unit (again, a first in broadsheet...) was the more modest 2.0L variant. We’d have loved to try out what the eager little new C30 T5 can muster, but we had to settle for more sedate driving in our test unit.

Taking it up the twisties of Baras, Rizal over the past weekend, we found out that although the engine at times struggles to give the necessary push for the occasional uphill climb, the C30 2.0L’s driving dynamics are still very impressive. We have the generous front and rear tracks and a relatively long wheelbase (for a hatch, at least) to thank for this admirable stability. Standard Volvo suspension, which includes MacPherson front suspension and a multilink rear axle, add further to the car’s sound balance.

As Volvo is known to endow their cars with only the best safety options available, expect the entire alphabet of safety acronyms to come standard. The new C30 also features Volvo’s patented front structure. Divided into zones, it incorporates different deformation properties with the outer zones accounting for most of the deformation in a frontal collision. The more the collision forces approach the passenger compartment, the less the material is deformed. To ensure that each zone has the right characteristics, the quality of the steel has been varied. Four different types of steel are used. Apart from normal body steel, three different grades of high-strength steel are used. Different steel grades also are used in the rear to help protect occupants in the event of a rear-end collision. No, we didn’t see to it that the darn zoning actually works. But we felt extra safe knowing that the technology was there.

Inside, the new Volvo C30 is typically Swedish spic and span. Its clean, taut lines can almost be considered unexciting, in fact. But kudos goes to that bomb-@$$ sound system for turning up the excitement meter a notch. The iPod-ready Dynaudio Premium Sound System with Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound kicks major butt. And it can be one of the most engrossing companions on a long drive.

Before returning our test unit, we asked Viking Cars Philippines the price difference between our modest 145hp 2.0L drive and the much more aggressive 230hp turbocharged T5 variant. A whopping P600,000 separates both models as the T5 retails for P2,388,888 while the 2.0L goes for P1,788,888. If you think about it in those terms (a second, smaller Japanese hatch perhaps?), the 2.0L makes a pretty good argument for itself. True, it may not be as eager to gobble up kilometers as the T5, but with very similar driving dynamics, you get all the sweetness with just less the punch.

In other words, you can be just as safe, just as comfortable and just as satisfied with the amenities of a Volvo C30 2.0L as you would be were you in a Volvo C30 T5. Now, if only you could be just as beautiful as Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, then maybe life would be perfect...