The updated Volvo C70 relates now more closely to the new design language of the larger cars in the Volvo model range, especially to the new S60. At the front there are new headlamps and some bodywork details such as the front wings have been redesigned. Air intake is larger and detailing around foglamps has been enhanced. The iron mark in the grill makes a bigger presence than before and there is also a new colour available; Flamenco Red Pearl, which seems to be working quite well in this coupe.
At the rear the most noticeable update are the new LED-lamps. The entire lamp unit is clearly integrated with the oval that frames the new C70’s rear panel. C70 has a three-piece steel roof that folds down into the boot with a push of a button. Only requirement is that the car has to be standstill when operating the roof. It takes about 30 seconds to take the roof up or down which seems a bit long time, but it’s not an easy job to put three steel pieces neatly into the boot. With three-piece roof the C70 looks as good if not even better with a roof up as it does with a roof down.
For Volvo C70, there are now three engines to choose from. Two diesels and one petrol. The new five-cylinder 2.0-litre turbodiesel introduced in the all-new Volvo S60 is now available also for C70 in two variants: D3 and D4. The new five-cylinder is in principle the same engine as the well-established 2.4-litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced with a shorter stroke to optimise fuel consumption. The engine has been optimised for low fuel consumption and the injection system has a different type of piezoelectric fuel injector compared with the D5 engine. These injectors minimise consumption with exceptionally rapid and precise injection pulses under high pressure. This promotes extremely efficient combustion.
D3 version offers 150 horsepower and 350 Newton metres while the fuel consumption should be moderate 6,4 litre/100km. The more powerful D4 has 177 horsepower and 400 Newton metres with the same 6,4 litre consumption . Both variants of the new two-litre turbodiesel can be chosen either with a six-speed manual gearbox or with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Diesels are more fuel efficient, but you might want more power under the hood. That you can find from the turbocharged petrol engine. five-cylinder, 2.5-litre T5 produces 230 horsepower and 320 Newton metres of torque. It gives this car a quite good performance, but nothing spectacular by these days standards. T5 is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, which works fine, but feels a bit outdated. A six-speed transmission could provide better performance and also improve fuel efficiency. Steering and suspension are set up to be very comfortable, so C70 is great car for cruising with the roof down on a summer day. But when you like to enjoy more of the car’s performance, then you would hope for better driving dynamics which would also suit better for the C70’s sporty image.
Small update has refreshed nicely the C70. It is a real competitor in the convertible-class and steel roof makes it also a really usable all-year coupe. Small changes to the the exterior makes it look new again and at least for me, the new looks seem to be working quite well. Only thing we would wish for are sportier driving dynamics.
Specification
Engine/cylinder
- Petrol
- 5-cylinder
- 2521cc
- Turbo
Power
- 169 kW (230 hp) / 5000rpm
Torque
- 320 Nm / 1500-4800rpm
Transmission
- 5-speed automatic
- FWD
0-100km/h / 0-62mph
- 8.0 seconds
Top speed
- 235 km/h
Fuel consumption
- 9.4 l/100km
CO2 emissions
- 219 g/km
