TODAY 23 MAY Exclusive Volvo News

...volume seen across today’s Volvo range that was first previewed on the S60 Concept Car shown to the world in early 2009. The headlights now swoop elegantly into the upper section of the new front mudguards and are harmonised with larger, more stylised outer air vents in the new bumper. At the back, the new C70 is identified by high tech LED taillights and a new, re-profiled rear bumper that helps give a wider, cleaner appearance.C70 colour choices are enriched by a deep, Flamenco Red Pearl that is added to the range of no less than 12 colours."What we have done is to carefully redesign the front and rear so they harmonise more with both today's and tomorrow's Volvo models. We have also increased the exclusiveness of the materials and trim details to enhance the atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car," says Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.

Inside, Volvo designers worked to raise even further the C70’s premium look and feel.

This has resulted in a redesigned instrument panel giving a wider, sleeker look, while the panel surface features a new texture that improves tactility. New instruments also convey a higher sense of exclusivity while providing the driver with clear, easy legibility to complement the thoughtful, ergonomic control placement.

Aluminium trim details are upgraded with the adoption of a new honeycomb surface that adds depth and helps protect against scratching, while grey/white Oyster Burst trim, which is inspired by the classic Swedish Hagstrom guitars made famous by the likes of performers such as Elvis Presley, is optional for the centre stack and door panel inlays.

“There is even better detail finish to make driving a more pleasurable experience than ever before," says Fedde Talsma.

Passenger comfort has been attended to as well, with the C70’s highly supportive and comfortable seats now upholstered in a soft new leather for even greater comfort and visual appeal.

A new, Cranberry Red upholstery option that adds an extra touch of sportiness is also added to the extensive list of interior trim choices available for the C70.

The new Volvo is available in S and T5 variants. The C70 S employs the smooth 125kW 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine with 230Nm of torque, while the powerful C70 T5 is powered by the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing 169kW and 320Nm.

The C70 S is available either with either five-speed manual transmission, or with Volvo’s five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission that allows the choice of manual shifting when required.

The C70 T5 offers the choice of a sporty six-speed manual transmission, or the five-speed Geartronic automatic.

Both C70 S and C70 T5 can be specified with an option package called the Teknik Pack and features Volvo Navigation System, Blind Spot Identification System (BLIS), Active Bending Lights, Compass, Bluetooth and the Headlight Washer System. The pack is priced at $4,725 for the T5 and $6,300 for the 2.4i model.

Safety is naturally a core quality in all Volvos; accordingly, the C70 has been engineered to be one of the safest convertibles on the market. It is equipped with a full suite of Volvo safety equipment including dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags and innovative door-mounted inflatable curtain airbags, which were a world-first for Volvo. Rear parking sensors are standard on both C70 S and C70 T5.

The C70 also features Volvo’s WHIPS Whiplash Protection System in the front seats, as well as the SIPS side impact protection system that brings various systems, including side and curtain airbags, as well as extensive engineering of the body structure into play to provide the best possible protection in a side impact.

Also standard in the C70 is the ROPS Roll-Over Protection System which, if necessary, deploys steel rollover bars behind the rear seats, as well the curtain airbags and safety belt pretensioners, which feature in all seats, to protect passengers.

Dynamic Stability and Traction Control helps keep the C70 securely on track through appropriate actuation of the brakes on individual wheels if understeer or oversteer threaten, while anti-lock brakes with Emergency Brake Assist ensure powerful, stable braking when required.

The new C70 range also gains Volvo’s Emergency Brake Light system. Active over 60 km/hr, the system flashes the stoplights five times per second if the brakes are applied forcefully in an emergency situation.Once the vehicle's speed has reduced to 10 km/hr, the stoplights stop flashing and the hazard lights are activated. These can be manually deactivated or will automatically disengage when the vehicle speed reaches 10 km/hr.

With its style, versatility, driving pleasure, luxurious equipment and the typically high standards of Volvo safety, the C70 has become an exclusive, stylish presence on Australian roads since it was introduced here in 2006.

The elegant coupe-convertible is particularly notable for its balanced styling that flows smoothly from front to rear without the extra-high boot line that typifies many vehicles with similar functionality.

And switching between coupe and convertible could not be easier: The C70’s three-part steel roof opens or closes in 30 seconds with the simple press of a button.

“The C70 was always about style and sophistication,” says Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Alan Desselss. “The new model cleverly integrates Volvo’s latest design language while also dramatically upgrading its status in the luxury coupe-convertible segment.”