First Glance
The true test of the quality of a convertible’s design is not how it looks with the top down, but with the top up. The C70 is beautiful in either configuration. The car is lower and wider than its predecessor, and the rear view is especially pleasing, with the tall, piano-look taillamps flattened slightly to emphasize the added width and stance. The windshield is laid back quite a bit, but adds a “fast” look more befitting a high-priced sports car. Perhaps the reason we say that is because Volvo had the good sense to partner with Pininfarina, a well-known Italian design house that’s responsible for styling such exotics as the Maserati Quattroporte, Ferrari SuperAmerica, and others.
As nice as the exterior styling looks, it’s the top that attracts the attention. It takes 30 seconds to power up and down—not the quickest in the industry—but it’s a ballet of movement, as the three pieces of the hardtop fold into each other and disappear into the trunk under a hard tonneau cover. This is the first vehicle on the market with a steel paneled top, the benefit being strength in the event of a rollover. An “express” button on the driver’s side door drops all four windows in one push, allowing the adrenaline rush to begin without delay.
In the Driver's Seat
Volvo stays true to its Swedish heritage, incorporating a minimalist and clean instrument panel along with a center console that features an open back; simple yet effective. There’s room for two people in the back, real people with real arms and real legs, not just those who think Sponge Bob is entertainment. Plenty of storage areas, lockable compartments, and an excellent audio system (top up or down) add to the overall pleasant package.
It’s imperative we address the safety features here; this is Volvo after all, and it the company never would have created a convertible if it didn’t believe it could keep you safe. And safe you’ll be, since the exceptionally stiff body structure, which includes hydroformed windshield pillars, makes up for the lack of strength usually found in the now-missing roof. Toss in Volvo’s Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), its Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) and the Rollover Protection System (ROPS) in which the bars behind the rear seats pop up in the event of a rollover, and you’ve got the protection you expect from Volvo. The final touch: door-mounted inflatable air curtains that come up from the doors instead of down from the roof in the event of a side impact or potential rollover situation.
On the Road
There’s only one model choice, the T5, which means a light-pressure turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with 218 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Without knowing the number, we guessed about 250 horses as we climbed to the 10,000-foot summit of the Haleakala volcano. The C70 feels solid and has plenty of torque down low and at mid-range, so it pulls in just about any situation. The turbo is well behaved, with minimal lag and minimal noise under pressure.
The brakes are quick and surefooted; we’ve driven so many vehicles with overly sensitive brakes, this was a welcome change. The only nit would be a wish for tighter steering feel; the electro-hydraulic steering system used here usually contributes a lighter feel.
The manual 6-speed transmission was benign, but I would have liked a bit shorter throws, or spacing between shifts through the gears. The optional 5-speed automatic was more my speed, exhibiting smooth shifts. An independent suspension transitioned easily between smooth ride and sporty handling. The lower, wider stance made maneuvering around the Hana road’s tight turns an easy drive. Safety reigns here as well, with standard anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Volvo’s Dynamic Stability and Traction Control System (DTSC).
Journey's End
As much as I liked the styling when the C70 first appeared on the market years ago, I was dismayed by the cowl shake that didn’t seem to fit Volvo’s image. The new C70, with its added and intelligent structural rigidity, amazing list of standard features, agreeable driving characteristics, and all-out good looks in both convertible or coupe format, makes an excellent choice for those looking for a vehicle with bi-polar tendencies. Luckily, both of the personalities are people-pleasers.
Pricing for the C70 starts at $38,710, not including the $695 destination charge. Optional equipment includes a Premium Package with leather seats and a few other items for $1,395, an upgraded Dynaudio Package for $1,550, and the auto tranny for $1,250. A climate control package tosses in heated front seats, headlamp washers, and Rainsensor wipers for $675. Only a few stand-alone options: High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, the 5-speed, and a nav system for $2,120 bring the loaded total to $46,832. In its class, against the Audi A4, Saab 9-3, and BMW 3-Series convertibles, it’s a good value.
