Volvo South Africa has introduced an entry-level version of their C30, aimed at those who enjoy the allure of the Swedish brand but don’t want — or can’t afford — to splash out tens of thousands extra for a load of power and torque they don’t really need.
The 1,6-litre newcomer is, quite frankly, lively enough to keep most people happy, with its 74kW at 6 000 rpm and 150Nm at 4 000 rpm good enough for a top speed of 185km/h and a 0-100km/h capability of 11,8 seconds. At R214 500, it’s R24 500 more affordable than the two-litre version and a whopping R80 000 cheaper than the admittedly much more exciting T5 with its 169kW/320Nm turbo-charged five-cylinder engine.
Much as I dislike the endless presentations at new model launches, where marketing people earnestly tell us who their cars are aimed at — invariably young, intelligent free-thinkers who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and need to express their independence and individuality — I think that the Volvo C30 1,6 will suit many of that mob of bright young things rather well.
The fact that it’s a two-door hatch makes it more suited to single people than those with familial encumbrances, and older folk without kids are likely to be put off by the annoying habit two-door cars have of causing your spine to dislocate every time you have to turn and reach waaaaaay back for the seat belt. As a trendy two-seater with space for the occasional pair of slender passengers in the back, though, the C30 is just fine for the younger set. Two in the back is about the maximum, by the way — the Volvo has individual rear seats rather than a bench.
It’s no secret that the C30 is built on the same Ford C1 platform as the Ford Focus. It’s also easy enough to establish that the Ford Focus 1,6 Ambiente 5-door sedan, although less well equipped, sells for just R160 100, which is a whopping R54 400 less than the Volvo hatch.
The Ford’s 1,6 litre engine offers 77kW and 145Nm, which is roughly in the same ball-park as the Volvo’s, and performance is similar. Ford’s build quality and driving fun-factor has also been hugely elevated over the past few years, so if I were a Volvo salesperson I’d be worried that traction control, a rear hatch, a Volvo badge and a few extra airbags might not be enough to entice the average punter away from a Ford dealership.
The Volvo C30 delivered to me for evaluation was the basic Essential version, which comes with most of the gadgets ‘n gimmicks you’d expect for your money. These include electronic climate control, fog lights, alloy 16-inch rims, a leather-clad steering wheel, a rain sensor for the windscreen wipers, a trip computer, a Performance sound system, and the usual electric windows.
If you want to splash out on the Excel or Elite packages you start finding things like bigger wheels and low-profile tyres, cruise control, electrically adjustable leather seats, bi-Xenon headlights with automatic height adjustment and washers, and rear Park Assist. There are numerous other individual options available, like Volvo’s unique BLIS (blind spot information system) — that warns the driver of any hazards hiding in the side mirrors’ blind spots — heated seats, satellite navigation and higher specification sound systems with USB and MP3 connectability.
The interior of the evaluation vehicle was rather muted, with black trim and a grey roof lining. I liked it, though, because it felt understated. At the price I’d have expected to find satellite controls for the sound system somewhere on the steering wheel, but for these you apparently have to throw some extra cash into the ring — the Volvo price list didn’t state exactly how much.
The dynamics of the car are good, with road holding and handling being very good. I must say that the engine surprised me in that a 1,6-litre four-cylinder serving up 74kW seems, on paper, a little inadequate for what is in reality quite a large and heavy hatchback.
The test car delivered lively enough performance, without that strangled intonation so often found in small four-pot motors being asked to deliver more than they’re happy with. On paper, the 1,6-litre Volvo engine is rather less powerful than the similarly sized units fitted to cheaper competitors like the 1,6 litre Toyota Auris (91kW at 6 000rpm and 157Nm at 5 200rpm) and the Nissan Tiida 1,6 (80kW at 6 000rpm and 153Nm at 4 400 rpm) but, considered in isolation, the Volvo doesn’t feel at all inadequate. Fuel consumption, too, is pleasing — I averaged 9,1 litres per 100km during mixed town and freeway driving.
All in all I enjoyed the Volvo C30 1,6 because it felt well put together and it did the job it was designed to do very well indeed. I didn’t get too enthusiastic about the styling, but others who saw it did, so I’ll leave that to you to decide.
The car’s fun to drive, it’s well equipped and it should be safer than most in an accident, thanks to its six airbags and Volvo’s well-founded reputation in this department. The question that remains, though, is whether the South African public considers the Swedish nameplate and safety standards worthy of the premium attached to them by the factory.