Model Overview: 2012 Volvo C30

Model Overview: 2012 Volvo C30

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

C30 T5: $24,950

C30 T5 Premier Plus: $26,950

C30 T5 Platinum: $29,350

C30 T5 R-Design: $27,450

C30 T5 R-Design Premier Plus: $29,450

C30 T5 R-Design Platinum: $31,850

Destination: $875

The Volvo C30 is all about attitude: The way it generates ear-to-ear grins for drivers with unmistakable style and exceptional performance. And it continues to change the way people think about Volvo, appealing to the young and young at heart with its remarkable value. For 2012, the C30 receives a number of changes to increase the fun factor and coolness quotient.

For starters, the C30's standard Bluetooth receives an audio streaming connection. That means drivers can groove to tunes from their compatible cell phones directly through the C30's audio system speakers. Using "Pandora" or "Grooveshark" they can create playlists and synchronize with the phone, effectively becoming wireless DJs.

Volvo's new trim level strategy is introduced on the C30 for 2012. Buyers can select the base C30 T5 and R-Design models, or choose the new Premier Plus and Platinum trims for each. These new trim levels group popular options together for convenience in obtaining a C30 that's "just right."

For example, the new Premier Plus trim level includes a power glass sunroof, power driver's seat, power passenger's seat and cool new LED daytime running lights. This trim also includes aluminum inlays for the C30 T5 and a soft loadcover for the R-Design.

Those who crave more technology can select the new Platinum trim. This includes all the features of Premier Plus while adding the superb Volvo Premium Sound System with Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound, 10 loudspeakers and an astonishing 650 watts. Also included is a Navigation System with real time traffic, remote control and map care plus Sirius/XM satellite radio.

The C30's Climate package can be added to any trim level, as well as individual features from the list of stand-alone options.

Other enhancements for all C30s include a standard center armrest for rear seat passengers and standard security alarm. Meanwhile, the C30 T5 gains a new hue for the new model year: Caspian Blue Metallic.

Last year, Volvo's designers gave the C30 all-new front styling with a radically altered front fascia, fenders, trapezoidal headlights and honeycomb grille wearing an enlarged Volvo iron mark. Along with the angled lines of the front bumper, the headlight style reinforces the impression of speed and sport. The contours of the rear fascia were also made curvier and more dynamic.

Motivation for the C30 T5 and T5 R-Design continues to be supplied by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine that generates 227 horsepower in both models. Drivers can select a standard six-speed manual transmission or opt for a five-speed "Geartronic" automatic with "Auto-stick" function.

Thanks to its compact size and clever design, the Volvo C30 is as fun to drive, as it is to admire. Its generous front and rear tracks and a relatively long wheelbase contribute to inspiring and stable driving characteristics. The chassis, with MacPherson front suspension and a multilink rear axle, is optimized to provide outstanding control and precise response to the driver's inputs.

A Sport Chassis, standard on the C30 T5 R-Design, provides enhanced chassis dynamics and steering reflexes. Compared to the T5, spring stiffness for the R-Design is increased by 30 percent while the dampers feature a mono-tube design that builds-up pressure quicker for 20 percent increased low-speed damping. Steering is more precise with stiffer bushings and a 10 percent quicker steering ratio.

Volvo endows the C30 T5 with a generous roster of standard equipment. The list includes standard Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Volvo's Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and Whiplash Protection Seating System (WHIPS), T-Tec upholstery, leather gearshift knob with aluminum inlay, cruise control, a high performance 160-watt audio system with eight speakers, iPod/USB and auxiliary inputs, HD Radio, and Bluetooth integrated interface including audio streaming.

The R-Design continues as the ultimate C30 fitted with distinctive styling cues and range topping equipment. Standard features include a color-coordinated body kit, premium leather seating surfaces with embossed R-Design logo, a special front grille R-Design logo, matte finish outside rearview mirrors, R-Design watch dial instrument cluster, unique aluminum inlays, R-Design sport steering wheel and sport pedals.

The list of available stand-alone options includes Sirius/XM satellite radio, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Active Dual Xenon Headlights, Keyless Drive, leather seating surfaces for T5 trim and various shades of metallic paint.

The C30 features Volvo's patented front structure. Divided into zones, it incorporates different deformation properties with the outer zones accounting for most of the deformation in a frontal collision. The more the collision forces approach the passenger compartment, the less the material is deformed. To ensure that each zone has the right characteristics, the quality of the steel has been varied. Four different types of steel are used. Apart from normal body steel, three different grades of high-strength steel are used. Different steel grades also are used in the rear to help protect occupants in the event of a rear-end collision.