(caranddriver.com) - Volvo released official photos of its hot new C30 hatchback well in advance of its official debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show in late September. Fortunately, little has changed from the C30 Concept that we drooled all over upon its debut at the North American International Auto Show last January, reports Trend.
The C30 is based on the acclaimed S40/V50 chassis and shares the same 103.9-inch wheelbase, which should translate into impressive passenger space in spite of its 8.5-inch shorter overall length. Consequently, the wheels are at the extreme corners, a la the Mini Cooper. And bless their Swedish hearts, Volvo PR is doing everything it can to draw connections to its popular platform-mates, whilst dissuading us from calling the C30 a hatchback. But thats what it is.
And a damn fine one at that. First, the heavy mascara on the C30s headlights is yet another family tie to the S40, but the lowered grille, matte fender trim and, of course, its low-slung, three-door body all belong to the C30. The most distinctiveand coolestpart of the C30 is the solid glass rear hatch, which blatantly recalls that of the 60s-vintage Volvos P1800ES wagonette that also had three doors. Next to that neo-class three-door that was recently revealed, the 2007 Mini Cooper, the C30 is some 20 inches longer, bestowing it was a measure of utility missing in the eensy Brit.
In spite of being significantly smaller, the C30 should about match the S40 in terms of safety, given their shared front body structure, as well as the fitment of six standard airbags and an available Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). Backing up the C30s sporting intentions is the conspicuous lack of a weak engine, something that Volvo usually offers in all of its cars as an option for the sensible-shoes crowd; the only engine offered will be the turbocharged inline five-cylinder from the S40 line, which produces 218 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. All C30s will feature front-wheel drive. Both of the S40 transmissionsa six-speed manual and five-speed automatic with manual shift controlshould appear in the C30 as well.
Now heres the funny part: Volvo still hasnt officially announced that well see it here in the U.S. Rather, the company claims merely that it is currently evaluating the possibility of introducing the car here. Uh-huh. Expect the C30 to start at about $24,000, making it a natural competitor to the VW GTI when it arrives here next year.