Test drive Volvo C30 2006 - 2009 hatchback

Volvo C30 R-Design. the Forbidden fruit

Volvo C30 R-Design. Price: 1 494 900 rub.* On sale: since March 2010

The forbidden fruit is always sweet! During the premiere test of the updated Volvo C30 in the Austrian Alps, even incompatible with the Russian market, the D5 diesel engine did not stop the desire to get to know more closely with the most sports serial car of the Swedish family of the Volvo C30 R-Design

Test pilot
Vladimir Makkaveev, 32 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience 13 years, personal car - Volvo C30

The debuted on Frankfurt 2009 in parallel with the basic model of the updated Volvo C30, the advanced version of the Swedish city hatchback with the R-Design index attracts a third-party look with a personalized wool and polished tips of exhaust pipes. All other visual updates in comparison with the previous generation C30 repeat the restyling of the base model.

There was no trace of strict, built, as if along a ruler, two -plane circuits of the previous generation. The new slightly slanting headlights, voluminous contours of the bow, coupled with the overgrown nostrils of the air intakes, the cellular structure of the false radiator lattice and the rejection of boring black corner ends opened the Volvo C30 road to the 3D space, giving the models an order of magnitude more expression and impressiveness.

Compared to the radically transformed exterior, the internal perturbations C30 are much more modest: the update of the salon is fraught with except new gamuts of color solutions and the central console with optional finishes for the texture of classic Swedish Hagstrom guitars. However, the asset of sports modification includes one more significant innovation: the new R-Design sports chassis, developed on the basis of the S80 model presented last year. The reduction in the gear ratio of the steering and the introduction of new rigid bushings resulted in 10 percent acceleration of reactions and increased sharpness of the steering wheel. And 30%is an increase in the stiffness of springs and single -circuit shock absorbers, coupled with the progressive characteristics of transverse stabilizers, made it possible to achieve an unprecedented hitherto stability of a small Swede. Of course, her sports fuse is not enough for the Olympic Games, but more than for a frisky run around the city!

In general, the combination of a diesel engine and an automatic gearbox with a sports chassis looks somewhat contradictory. Especially on the asphalt. Outside the city with more than sports density of the suspension, even 180 liters. with. The D5 capacity with a torque of 350 Nm framing a strict Swedish machine gun and a very neat stabilization system, according to the feeling, is not enough for a complete drive. The 230-horsepower T5 gasoline turbo engine, with which the Volvo C30 R-Design has to conquer the Russian market, seems to be much more appropriate here. Less vibrations, there is a larger supply of forces, and acceleration is more pectaminous: only 6.7 s to hundreds.

But on the icy sandpaper of the test route, laid on the surface of the frozen lake Huntersie near Salzburg, the diesel diesel minuses are leveled: feeling the slippery ice under the wheels, with Swedish judgment, the engine holds the motor on the bottoms, where vibrations and noise are not so noticeable. And the lack of power on the slippery coating is no longer felt. But the trump cards of the sports chassis remain: roules and rejoice.

Who is running?
The second generation of Volvo C30 enters the Russian market, although not in full, but still in a fairly representative composition. In addition to the two variations of the 2.5-fraud version with the R-Design sports chassis, Volvo C30 of the 2010th model year will be available in five more modifications with four different engines and three gearboxes. Only the diesel family of the little Swedish coupe in Russia has not yet been represented.

Driving
In relation to the basic version, gives noticeably more pleasure. But in comparison with the sports compartment of competitors, the diesel engine is still lacking.

Salon
With the exception of new options, there are few changes: a solid Scandinavian design only to spoil.

Comfort
Even on European roads, the suspension seems too hard, plus noticeable diesel vibrations.

Security
One of the safest cars of its class.

Price
Not the cheapest market offer.


We do not love
For a sports compartment, the machine settings are too loyal. The mechanics are much more appropriate here! Controversial

A tiny coin behind the lever of the KP is not an original, but convenient solution. Comfortable

The vibrations and noise of the diesel engine are large enough for a small compartment. Noisy


Advantages and disadvantages
+ Progressive design, sports chassis, good exchange rate stability and handling.
- noticeable vibrations of the diesel engine, not the most outstanding dynamics.


Specifications
Mark and model - Volvo C30 R -Design
Dimensions - 4266x1871x1447 mm
Engine - gasoline, 2400 cm3, 180 liters. S./5000 min-1
Transmission - automatic, 5 -speed
Dynamics - Max 220 km/h; 8.4 s to 100 km/h
Competitors - Ford Focus ST, VW GTI


Our opinion
Unusual Volvo, but quite a successful variation on the topic of the city sports hatchback will find its consumers in the youth environment. The Swedes hope that in some countries the demand for R-Design will be 80 percent of the total C30 sales. But in Russia, these figures are unlikely to be achievable: a very rigid suspension and high price put natural restrictions.


Author: Vladimir Makkaveev
Photo: Sergey Krestov



 

A source: Magazine 5 wheel [March 2010]