Volvo C70
| Volvo C70 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Cars Pininfarina |
| Production | 1997- |
| Assembly | Uddevalla, Sweden |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Cabriolet Luxury Coupe |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volvo 780 |
The Volvo C70 is a luxury cabriolet built by Volvo Car Corp. The C70 is available in convertible and (originally) coupé versions with a choice of manual or automatic transmission. In the United States prices for the C70 convertible started at $38,710 for the 2006 model year.
First Generation (1997-2005)
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1997-2005 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door cabriolet 2-door coupe |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.4L 125kW I5 2.5 L 162kW I5 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104.9 in |
| Length | 185.7 in |
| Width | 71.5 in |
| Height | 56.3 in |
The Volvo C70 was available with both low-pressure and high-pressure, 5-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engines and manual and automatic transmissions. Although visually based on the 850, it was actually engineered by Tom Walkinshaw Racing and was a breakthrough design for Peter Horbury.
Since the Volvo 780 coupe went out of production in 1990, Volvo lacked a true competitor to the Saab 900/9-3 coupe/convertible, and likely lost sales to Saab to customers desiring a Swedish sports car.
The C70 was built in Uddevalla, Sweden in a facility separate from the 70-series sedan and station wagon assembly line. The C70 also had more human involvement in assembly than the other 70-series cars since the C70 was the first modern convertible Volvo had constructed.
The car was introduced as a 1997 model in Europe, and as a 1998 model in North America, Volvo's largest market. This staggered launch was in part to ensure quality of a vehicle type that was very new to Volvo.
A series of special edition models was made in the beginning of the production run featuring a unique two-tone premium leather interior. Other optional equipment made standard in this special edition include the SC-900 (coupe) and SC-901 (convertible) Dolby Surround Sound stereo with 3-disc integrated changer unit (via a cartridge) and 12 Dynaudio speakers.
The C70 met with limited success overall due to a limited demand for coupes in general and cost (roughly US$43,000 for convertible and US$39,000 for coupe). The coupe model has a smoother roof line than the convertible due to the ribs necessary in a soft top. The second generation C70 remedies this by using a three-piece retractable hard top.
The C70 has developed a cult following of Volvo enthusiasts due to its groundbreaking design and its touring car performance. The C70 is a heavy car for its size due to numerous safety features. The car performs best at high speeds, overtaking traffic with power bursts from its turbocharged engine. The manual transmission makes the most of the I5 engine, but is rare in North America.
The C70 was introduced to the press in saffron orange metallic paint. The 1997 movie The Saint featured a C70 finished in coral red metallic paint. As with most Volvo models, paint colors changed throughout the C70's years of production.
Production of the coupe ended in 2002 due to lack of demand, while the cabriolet/convertible continued until the introduction of the second generation C70. Several special edition colors and trim options were available to commemorate the end of the first generation C70.
Volvo and Tom Walkinshaw Racing have had a tumultuous relationship, with threatened shutdowns of the Uddevalla factory occurring during contract disputes. As a result, Volvo and TWR parted ways and TWR has no contribution to the second generation C70.
Second Generation (2006-)
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2006-present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door Coupé convertible |
| Platform | Volvo P1 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.4L 125kW Five-cylinder 2.5 L 162kW Five-cylinder turbo charged petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2640mm (103.9 in) |
| Length | 4582mm (180.4 in) |
| Width | 1820mm (72.3 in) |
| Height | 1400mm (55.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 2090kg |
The new C70 model was launched on 13 April, 2006, sharing the Ford C1 plaform used in the S40. This vehicle, designed by John Kinsey and built by Pininfarina, is a coupé convertible which features a three piece retractable metal hardtop that can raise or lower in less than 30 seconds. The new C70 replaces both the current cabriolet/convertible and the coupé absent from Volvo's lineup since 2003. For the first time, the C70 will be offered with a normally-aspirated gasoline engine, as well as diesel engines with variable geometry turbocharger and common-rail direct injection.