2006 Volvo C70 Convertible
The previous generation C70 was a rather boring car. Total US sales amounted to about 25,000 units, or just over 3,000 per year. Not exactly stellar numbers. Volvo hopes to improve those numbers with the new better looking, better handling car.
Power comes from the T5 engine, the same 5 cylinder turbo available in the S40. As the C70 weighs about 4,000 pounds, the 2.4i will likely not be offered. A 5 speed automatic and 5 speed manual will both be offered.
Reviews
Automobile Magazine writes:
The last of the old-style Volvos, the C70 convertible has finally been replaced by a sexy new sun seeker that debuted at Frankfurt. The new C70 convertible–with a clever, three-piece retractable hard top rather than a traditional soft top–will be powered by the same 218-hp, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder turbo found in the S40 sedan and the V50 wagon, cars with which it will share a platform. While these chassis mates look similar, the only common body parts between the C70 and the S40/V50 are the hood, outside rear-view mirrors, and door handles. The normally aspirated, 168-hp 2.4-liter and all-wheel drive are unlikely options, however. A six-speed manual or five-speed manu-matic will direct power to the front wheels.
Car and Driver says:
In developing the C70 convertible, Volvo targeted the Audi A4 droptop, and the Volvo is indeed quite similar to the front-drive Audi. Other competitors will include the Saab 9-3 convertible and BMW 3-series convertibles. The Volvo is more refined than its Swedish counterpart yet less fun to drive than the rear-drive BMW—the same could be said of the A4 convertible. Pricing of the C70 hasn’t been announced, as the first deliveries won’t occur until spring, but we expect the base version to go out the door for just over $30,000, and a loaded T5 version should sell for about $40,000. The new C70 convertible is not only better than the car it replaces but also less expensive.
