My Volvo C30 1.8F impressions

[Just_me]

I went to my Volvo dealer today to take a look at the new C30. A woman asked my if I wanted to testdrive so I said yes but they only had two versions to testdrive. Either a 1.6 or a 1.8F.
I picked the 1.8F (flexifuel) with 125 hp.

Whats good with all new Volvo's is the chassi, its very competent. I took the car to a twisty road with sharp bends and the road goes up and down, the handling is very good. I havent driven a new car for long time that had bad handling (except the Astra OPC but I think the powerful engine was to blame). This C30 didnt even have the sportchassi but still it handles good.

The gearbox I didnt like. It's not smooth. Maybe its because the car was so new and not driven in properly, I dont know but I didnt like it.

The engine was a big "Yawn". So boring, didnt excite my at all. I have driven cars with less horsepowers than this but still they were more fun. The engine in this C30 had no character at all. You also felt that this car can handle a lot more power thanks to its great chassi.

The backseat looked very cramped. I never sat in the backseat but it wasnt big.

Oh, and swedish people like it when a new Volvo comes, they take a closer look at you when you drive a C30


I hope to drive the C30 T5 with 220hp one day. With the competent chassi and the T5 engine I think this can be a fun car to drive.
The 1.8F with 125hp isnt a engine I would recommend. When I check the pricelist I see following: if you pay only 600 euro extra you get 145 hp and a 2.0 liter engine, sounds more intresting to me. Personally I think the 2.0 is going to be the most common engine here in Sweden.

My "PLUS" and "MINUS"

+ chassi
+ handling

- gearbox
- engine


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[ree]

Thanks for this first impression. I also went to a Volvo dealer on Thursday! The C30 isn't bad...but it is to expensive, in my opinion.
I was also shocked about the S80!! The interior is extremely bad processed!

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by ree

The interior is extremely bad processed!

Really? I took a fast look at the new S80 and I was actually surprised how good the interior looked and felt

[Mr. M]

Originally Posted by ree

I was also shocked about the S80!! The interior is extremely bad processed!

Me too. You and I must have seen a low-spec one.

[ree]

The gap was a lot bigger (compared to the one on the picture) and the lower edge of the centre console was extremely sharp-edged...

[Just_me]

Well its not like I sat and studied the S80. I sat in the S80 and a salesperson came and started to talk to me so I was kind of interrupted.

[Yannis]

I only have seen one C30 in real life and i didn't like the design at all. It looks dated especially the rear.

OTOH i 'm sure it will sell well cause it's much cheaper than A3 and 1 series.

[Giannis]

The C30 looks very promising, but i am not a fan of its design, and i still need to testdrive it before i can tell you my opinion on that....

PS. Guys, i have carefully examined the S80 and i have to say that it is very very nice! I have no complains at all!