What Is It?
2006 Volvo C70
What's Special About It?
The 2006 Volvo C70 will join the Volkswagen Eos as the only four-seat, hardtop convertibles on the market come next spring. Looking much like the previous C70, the second-generation version is slightly lower, wider and shorter. Most of the length came out of the nose giving the front end less overhang while retaining the ability to meet new pedestrian safety standards.
The three-piece retractable roof was engineered with the help of Pininfarina, the Italian design company often associated with the likes of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Unlike most convertible tops that fold into the trunk, the C70's elaborate mechanism actually stacks the three panels on top of each other. It makes for an efficient use of space that leaves 6 cubic feet of cargo room with the top down.
More importantly, the use of a hardtop allowed Volvo's designers to maintain the C70's profile with the top in place. "We designed this car as a coupe from the start," said John Kinsey, senior designer. "From there we worked backwards to develop the convertible. The result is a car that is truly the best of both worlds."
Built on the same platform as the S40 sedan, the front-wheel-drive C70 also uses the S40's T5 engine. The turbocharged inline five-cylinder generates 218 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and sends the power through a five-speed automatic or optional six-speed manual.
The C70 also shares much of the S40's interior design with a similar slim panel center stack and identical gauge cluster. Standard on the C70 is a new synthetic seat material called Vulcaflex. It was designed to feel soft yet retain the durability preferred in a convertible. It doesn't feel as creepy as its name, but leather is still an option.
Volvo's interior designers also made sure to maintain the C70's practicality by incorporating multiple locking storage boxes throughout the cabin. Safety is maintained through a rollover protection system and standard door-mounted side-impact airbags.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Volvo thinks enough of its new C70 that the carmaker is predicting sales will double over the previous model. We would have expected the same if the Volkswagen Eos hadn't just shown up. — Ed Hellwig
2006 Volvo C70
What's Special About It?
The 2006 Volvo C70 will join the Volkswagen Eos as the only four-seat, hardtop convertibles on the market come next spring. Looking much like the previous C70, the second-generation version is slightly lower, wider and shorter. Most of the length came out of the nose giving the front end less overhang while retaining the ability to meet new pedestrian safety standards.
The three-piece retractable roof was engineered with the help of Pininfarina, the Italian design company often associated with the likes of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Unlike most convertible tops that fold into the trunk, the C70's elaborate mechanism actually stacks the three panels on top of each other. It makes for an efficient use of space that leaves 6 cubic feet of cargo room with the top down.
More importantly, the use of a hardtop allowed Volvo's designers to maintain the C70's profile with the top in place. "We designed this car as a coupe from the start," said John Kinsey, senior designer. "From there we worked backwards to develop the convertible. The result is a car that is truly the best of both worlds."
Built on the same platform as the S40 sedan, the front-wheel-drive C70 also uses the S40's T5 engine. The turbocharged inline five-cylinder generates 218 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and sends the power through a five-speed automatic or optional six-speed manual.
The C70 also shares much of the S40's interior design with a similar slim panel center stack and identical gauge cluster. Standard on the C70 is a new synthetic seat material called Vulcaflex. It was designed to feel soft yet retain the durability preferred in a convertible. It doesn't feel as creepy as its name, but leather is still an option.
Volvo's interior designers also made sure to maintain the C70's practicality by incorporating multiple locking storage boxes throughout the cabin. Safety is maintained through a rollover protection system and standard door-mounted side-impact airbags.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Volvo thinks enough of its new C70 that the carmaker is predicting sales will double over the previous model. We would have expected the same if the Volkswagen Eos hadn't just shown up. — Ed Hellwig
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