2009 Volvo C70

Volvo's C70 was completely redesigned in 2006 and remains relatively unchanged for 2009. Outside, the Volvo features larger badging across the back. The front disc brakes have enlarged and the car has been lighted by 165 pounds. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity is now standard, and Vanilla Pearl Metallic has been added to the exterior color palette.

Volvo's front-wheel-drive C70 convertible is offered only with the top-performing T5 engine for 2009, a 2.5L five-cylinder engine making 227 horsepower. It is matched to a standard six-speed manual gearbox with triple synchros for optimum shift feel, while a five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission with manual shift control is optional. With the manual transmission, Volvo says the C70 can reach 60 mph in 7.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 150 mph.

The C70 has a contemporary appearance consistent with the rest of the Volvo lineup. Most notably, the cockpit features the super-thin "floating" center stack, which allows a flow-through storage area behind the audio and climate controls. A special synthetic seating material called Vulcaflex is standard on the C70, while leather upholstery is optional.

The retractable hard top system folds away neatly inside the trunk in about 30 seconds, and while the trunk contents are still accessible with the top down, usable cargo space decreases from 12.8 cubic feet to 6.8 cubic feet. The top boasts several other important benefits; It offers better outward visibility and a quieter interior than a soft-top convertible, while the top also assures a stiffer body for better handling. It also gives the attractive appearance of a coupe body style.

The C70 uses a unique door-mounted inflatable curtain air bag design, which offers head protection in side impacts and rollovers even when the windows are down, and offers supplemental protection in the event of a rollover. Automatically deploying pop-up roll bars also protect occupants in the event of a rollover.

A six-disc CD changer with MP3 compatibility comes with the standard sound system, which has eight speakers and 160 watts over four channels. The optional Dynaudio sound system cranks out 910 watts of power and has Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound, 14 speakers and dual 8-inch woofers.

The Premium Package brings leather seating, a remote garage door opener and a compass, while the Climate Package groups heated front seats, headlamp washers and rain-sensing windshield wipers. A Convenience Package bundles rear park assist, keyless drive and a blind spot information system with power retractable exterior mirrors. Standalone options include a DVD-based navigation system, bi-xenon headlamps and 18-inch alloy wheels.

2009 Volvo C30

Model strengths:
Stylish design inside and out; performance and handling; available luxury appointments

Following its 2008 introduction, the 2009 Volvo C30 carries over with a few changes, mostly in the repackaging of trim levels. The base Version 1.0 model is now the T5, while the previous Version 2.0 is now called the T5 R-Design. A Preferred Package with premium Dynaudio sound, power driver's seat, fog lights and more joins the options list.

The 2009 Volvo C30 is very much mechanically related to the S40 sedan and V50 wagon, but it is much smaller and promises a sportier ride with a greater fun factor.

The C30 hatchback has a unique interior treatment with four bucket seats; in back they fold flat to expand the cargo capacity to 20.2 cubic feet. All C30s derive their power from a 227-horsepower, 2.5L turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine. It has front-wheel drive and is available with a six-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic with Geartronic manual selection.

The C30 comes in two main trims, the base T5 and the sporty R-Design. The T5 is well equipped compared with other vehicles in its price range; standard features include air conditioning, keyless entry, leather trim, steering-wheel audio controls and a 160-watt, eight-speaker sound system. The R-Design builds on that with the Dynamic Chassis Control system for better handling, larger "Atreus" 18-inch alloy wheels, polished exhaust pipes, Sirius Satellite Radio and a 650-watt Dynaudio sound system with ten speakers and Dolby surround sound. Stand-alone options include a power moonroof, leather upholstery, and on R models, a navigation system and power driver's seat. A Climate Package available on both models adds heated front seats, headlamp washers and Rainsensor wipers, while a Preferred Package offers premium Dynaudio sound, power driver's seat, fog lights and more. The C30 is the only Volvo vehicle to offer the Custom Build ordering process. For a $300 charge, customers will have a chance to build and order their own cars with extra exterior colors and several interior color combinations, plus additional options and accessories. Examples of these additional options include automatic climate control, a blind spot information system, rear park assist, bi-xenon headlamps, cruise control and several different styles of inlays and trims.

Electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution are standard on all C30s, as are a host of airbags.