VOLVO C30 T5 R-DESIGN BUILDS A LASTING IMPRESSION

 

We recently had the privilege to try out the new Volvo C30 T5, courtesy of Volvo Cars Malaysia (VCM). The C30 R-design is one of the trendiest sports car in the present VCM model range. 
 

First unveiled in April 2010, the new C30 in R-design trims is the pinnacle headliner for Volvo. In Motorsports, the Swedish marque has entered the new C30 in the World Touring Cars Championship (WTCC) to prove its overall track and autosport worthiness. The WTCC entry is joint effort between Volvo and Polestar Racing who’s an active participant in the Swedish Touring Cars championship.     
 

A glance at the front, you’ll immediately notice the car’s bright ‘Orange Flame’ color, a signature color for the C30 T5. Its forward-thrusting shape with an all-new body kit and redesigned front and rear motives are the fine details as well. The body kit is color-coordinated with the rest of the body (above right), giving the impression that the car has been lowered more than the actual 10 mm reduction in ride height. Prominent R-Design badge on the grille (above left) and door mirror housings in special silk metal finish are dominant features up front.

 

The R-Design C30 T5 is also equipped with five-spoke 'Cratus' wheels with 205/50R17 tyres that are a hallmark of the R-Design range. The side of the vehicle is accentuated by the body kit with front and rear spoilers, lower door trim moulding and side-skirts colour-matched to the rest of the body. Its rear outlook (above) is completed by the svelte tailgate spoiler and visible chrome-plated sports tailpipes, measuring 90 mm.  

 

The interior consists of black upholstery which features an embossed R-design emblem in the front seats, and further decals are garnished on the centre stack and panel inserts. The centre dashboard features the unique audio floating console derived by a violinist to provide the driver and passengers a unified ambience between a 'theatre inside a car' and a contemporary feel or functionality. However, the basic Bluetooth function is a slight letdown without the option to listen to your favorites music or tunes from your electronic device. Only phone calls are available from its Bluetooth function, but Volvo makes it up by incorporating a rather explosive high performance audio system within the confines of the car which include 8-speaker with a 4X40W amplifier. Another deviant factor on the centre console display is the rather plain information panel.  

 

The driver’s cockpit is much more fulfilling and compelling, with its pride and joy leather/aluminum gear knob, sports leather R-design steering wheel, luminous blue speedometer and rev counter gauges, chrome-plated sports pedals and textile floor mats.  

 

Looking under the hood, the T5 boasts 2.5L 5-Cylinder Turbo DOHC powerplant capable of churning out 230 hp @ 5000 rpm with an equally impressive torque capability of 320Nm @ 1500 - 5000rpm. With this much of power on the road, this latest C30 does get you going places at lightning pace. For those who fancy the manual 6-speed  geartronic and shift lock mode, be ready for sheer exhilaration of driving this ‘Orange Flame’.  

 

Our drive entailed several interesting experience, mostly due to the savvy and extremely proud exterior contours of the T5. An auto mode cruise around town proved that the T5’s gearbox worked steadily to ensure smoother and instantaneous acceleration whenever the situation called for. It simply allows you to jump traffic or any vehicles in your path without even trying… 

 

The new sports chassis has made the C30 R-Design a better-balanced and more agile car. Road contact is more distinct and feedback from the wheels is faster and clearer, promoting a more alert feeling, thanks to the BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) feature while driving. The BLIS works to full effect within the 50m radius for amateur drivers and blinks whenever the car nears an object or when an object closes in. This is something that also benefits safety.

 

The new Volvo C30 R-Design's most significant changes are hidden beneath the car's extrovert body kit. Handling and drive stability of the T5 rely on stiffer steering bushings, spring stiffness to increase the car's poise, dampers with mono-tube technology and roll stabilizers. Aided by safety equipments such as; Dynamic Stability and Traction control (DSTC), Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), the R-design T5 is precision on the road at almost any instances and encourages you to pounce almost everytime.

 

Our drive targeted more highways than city roads to do justice to such a nimble yet beautiful car. Immense torque and ample power output in a sultry package is really the key attributes of the R-design T5, the ride is comfortable even when speed exceeds 180km/h, much is attributed to its ‘sliced’ tailgate. Grip level doesn’t decrease as much when cornering at 150km/h or more as the C30 is perfectly balanced and gets the standard safety benefits of ABS, EBD, EBA and DSTC. More profoundly on a stop-go situation, the C30 gets off the block very well when the DSTC kicks in to prevent excessive wheel spin.

 

Cruising at speed beyond 200km/h on straights, the car is still calm and yearns for greater action. Performance-wise, the R-design T5 is beyond words, holding its own against the very best of continental sports cars out there, probably a slight power ratio down on comparison to the M3s, CLKs and SLKs.

 

On ascending and tight roads, the car had no real issue negotiating tight corners and blind-spots. However, if the brake is depressed completely, the EBA would act instantly and practically drag the car backwards and you should hear a thud when the brakes lock-on to the front-discs hard.  Fuel economy is not too bad with the C30 T5, given our choice to drive mostly on freeways. It averages 11.2 – 11.4 km/100 km. The only qualm about the C30 T5 is its rear boot space, but then again with a car like this, don’t you really need the extra weight or luggage compartment?

 

Volvo Cars Malaysia distributes the C30 T5 R-Design to cater to the under 35 years old bracket. The R-Design model has been designed for the discerning younger customer segment looking for a personalized car with an exclusive, sporty nature.