VOLVO C30 T5 R-DESIGN BUILDS A LASTING IMPRESSION OF FINESSE AND POWER PLAY

 

We recently had the privilege to try out the new Volvo C30 T5, courtesy of Volvo Cars Malaysia (VCM). The C30 R-design is one of the trendiest sports car in the present VCM model range. 
 

First unveiled in April 2010, the new C30 in R-design trims is the pinnacle headliner for Volvo. In Motorsports, the Swedish marque has entered the new C30 in the World Touring Cars Championship (WTCC) to prove its overall track and autosport worthiness. The WTCC entry is joint effort between Volvo and Polestar Racing who’s an active participant in the Swedish Touring Cars championship.     
 

A glance at the front, you’ll immediately notice the car’s bright ‘Orange Flame’ color, a signature color for the C30 T5. Its forward-thrusting shape with an all-new body kit and redesigned front and rear motives are the fine details as well. The body kit is color-coordinated with the rest of the body (above right), giving the impression that the car has been lowered more than the actual 10 mm reduction in ride height. Prominent R-Design badge on the grille (above left) and door mirror housings in special silk metal finish are dominant features up front.

 

The R-Design C30 T5 is also equipped with five-spoke 'Cratus' wheels with 205/50R17 tyres that are a hallmark of the R-Design range. The side of the vehicle is accentuated by the body kit with front and rear spoilers, lower door trim moulding and side-skirts colour-matched to the rest of the body. Its rear outlook (above) is completed by the svelte tailgate spoiler and visible chrome-plated sports tailpipes, measuring 90 mm.  

 

The interior consists of black upholstery which features an embossed R-design emblem in the front seats, and further decals are garnished on the centre stack and panel inserts. The centre dashboard features the unique audio floating console derived by a violinist to provide the driver and passengers a unified ambience between a 'theatre inside a car' and a contemporary feel or functionality. However, the basic Bluetooth function is a slight letdown without the option to listen to your favorites music or tunes from your electronic device. Only phone calls are available from its Bluetooth function, but Volvo makes it up by incorporating a rather explosive high performance audio system within the confines of the car which include 8-speaker with a 4X40W amplifier. Another deviant factor on the centre console display is the rather plain information panel.  

 

The driver’s cockpit is much more fulfilling and compelling, with its pride and joy leather/aluminum gear knob, sports leather R-design steering wheel, luminous blue speedometer and rev counter gauges, chrome-plated sports pedals and textile floor mats.  

 

Looking under the hood, the T5 boasts 2.5L 5-Cylinder Turbo DOHC powerplant capable of churning out 230 hp @ 5000 rpm with an equally impressive torque capability of 320Nm @ 1500 - 5000rpm. With this much of power on the road, this latest C30 does get you going places at lightning pace. For those who fancy the manual 6-speed  geartronic and shift lock mode, be ready for sheer exhilaration of driving this ‘Orange Flame’.  

 

Our drive entailed several interesting experiences, mostly due to the car's savvy and extremely proud exterior contours. An auto mode cruise around town proved that the T5’s gearbox worked steadily to ensure smoother and instantaneous acceleration whenever the situation called for. It simply allows you to jump traffic or any vehicles in your path without even trying… 

 

The new sports chassis has made the C30 a better-balanced and more agile car. Road contact is more distinct and feedback from the wheels is faster and clearer. The C30's safe and alert elements are much accredited to the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) feature. The BLIS works to full effect within the 50m radius for amateur drivers and blinks whenever the car nears an object or when an object closes in.

 

The new Volvo C30 R-Design's most significant changes are hidden beneath the car's extrovert body kit. Handling and drive stability of the T5 rely on stiffer steering bushings, spring stiffness to increase the car's poise, dampers with mono-tube technology and roll stabilizers. Aided by safety equipments such as; Dynamic Stability and Traction control (DSTC), Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), the R-design T5 is precision on the road at almost any instances and encourages you to pounce almost everytime.

 

Our drive targeted more highways than city roads to do justice to such a nimble yet beautiful car. Immense torque and ample power output in a sultry package was our general take as key attributes of the R-design T5, the ride was comfortable even when speed exceeded 180km/h, thanks to a functional ‘sliced’ tailgate. Grip level didn't decrease as much when cornering at 150km/h or more as the C30 was perfectly balanced, with standard safety equipments like. ABS, EBD, EBA and DSTC. More profoundly on a stop-go situation, the C30 got off the block very well when the DSTC kicked-in to prevent excessive wheel spin.

 

Cruising at speed beyond 200km/h on straights, the car was calm and yearned for greater action. Performance-wise, the R-design T5 held its own against the some of the best of continental sports cars and probably a slight power ratio down in comparison to the M3s, CLKs and SLKs.

 

On ascending and tight roads, the car had no real issue negotiating tight corners and blind-spots. However, when the brake was depressed completely, the EBA would act instantly and practically jolt the car backwards, and that was when a loud 'thud' could be heard, indicating that the brakes lock-on hard to the front-discs.  Fuel economy wasn't not too bad with our C30 T5 unit, given our choice to drive rampantly. Fuel consumption tallied between 11.2 – 11.4 km/100 km. The only qualms about the C30 T5 are the limited rear boot space and price factor. 

 

The Volvo C30 T5 R-Design is targeted to the select-individual under 35 years bracket. The R-Design model has been designed for the discerning high-powered young executive who's looking for a personalized car with an exclusive, sporty nature.