Vehicle: 2007 Volvo C70 T5 with Geartronic and Premium Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$62660

Performance: C70 is only powered by one single engine. Its Volvo’s tried-and-true high-pressure 2.5L turbocharged 5-cylinder 20-valver with variable valve timing. The same motor as in S40, V50, S60 and V70. In C70′s application, it provides 218 hp and 236 lb/ft of torque. The most impressive aspect of T5 is its amount of low-end torque. With 236 lb/ft of torque arrives as low as 1500rpm, it feels more like a 6-cylinder than an I-5. On the other hand, with the enhancement of turbo. This T5 doesn’t have the weird engine note as other 5-cylinders on the market. It sounds distinctively, though. However, it feels a bit breathless when rev in high rev range. Consider C70′s status of life, its more appropriate to tune this cruiser with better low end than a rev-happy track machine. Matched with this T5 is Geartronic manumatic transmission. As you would expect, the shifts are crisp and smooth although it doesn’t allow to rev pass redline before upshifting. Just like the S40, its very reluctant to up and downshift manually as the shifter is stiff. The gear ratios are well-spaced and match its convertible’s character well. My advise: leave it in “D” and forget about it!

Handling: While the outgoing C70 was infamous for its flimsy body strcture, the new one finally got the one that it deserves. It all starts with an excellent platform shares with Mazda3 and European Focus. To begin things off with a convertible that no longer has terrible cowl shakes and flexy chassis. That’s really important because a flimsy chassis does affect outright performance in a convertible, especially when driven enthuisastically. When driven hard through washboard pavement and expansion joints, we don’t feel a single hint of cowl shakes on those rough roads. That’s very impressive considered how flexy and shaky its predecessor was. It also rides comfortably on those poorly paved roads. However, when it comes to all-out handling. C70 remains pretty much a Volvo. Volvo’s handling dynamics are usually benign without provide much fun for keen drivers. We haven’t impressed with last S40 T5 2 years ago, we still feel the same for C70. There are plenty of understeer when pushed hard into a corner, as long as DSTC doesn’t kick in “unnecessarily”. Volvo’s DSTC, or Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, kicks in abruptly before you can encounter oversteer. One can basically forget what’s oversteer or even understeer. Yes, you can turn the damn thing off. But, well, similar to Mercedes ESP. There is still a final threshold to kick in before any fun happens. The steering provides good enough response but feedback is numb, no much on and off-center feel neither. While it still has very solid European feel, through its body structure and driving experience, you won’t have any driving thrills at all.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, C70′s braking performance is exceptionally good. The stopping distance is short while pedal is easily modulated, if a little spongy at the end of the travel.

Interior: C70′s interior ambience mirrors those of S40 and V50. With the same floating center console and dashboard layout, mostly everything is logically layout. Both the auto climate control and stereo are controlled by large knobs for ease of use. Instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. The use of materials have to be considered as one of the better, if not the best, in its class. However, the criticisms we had with S40 remains. Its really hard to access to the back of floating console. Its also unsafe to do so while driving. While the aluminum trim looks nice during first impressive, it tends to get a bit too glossy as time goes by.

Since C70 is a true 4-seater convertible, its back seat is surprisingly livable. That’s despite the automatic sliding seat takes a while before it moves forward for passengers to get into the back.

Conclusion: Despite of my criticisms, C70 should serve well for Volvo as a halo vehicle. Its rectractable hardtop is an appealing feature for Canadian weather, given there are no other 4-seat convertible offers it in this price range.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 VOLVO C70
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 3/5