Car reviews

Introduction

The luxurious coupe/cabrio was introduced in 1997 as Volvo's attempt to move away from the boxy designs and embrace the modern aesthetic standards. They launched the coupe first and the cabrio followed two years later. The cars have attracted a significant enthusiast base thanks to the exceptional level of comfort and fresh design. The coupe was discontinued in 2002 but the cabrio remained in production until 2006.

Exterior & Interior

Although the C70 is quite a recent car, very few people remember that it co-existed with the old-style boxy Volvos for around 3 years before the entire model range was eventually 'curvified'. The C70 is one of the best designs accomplished by Volvo so far and the 2nd generation C70 that made debut in 2006 was significantly shortened and displayed less design prowess. That's why the 1st generation prices in the used car market are stubbornly high, people are reluctant to part with one of the last large classic Volvos.

The car is built on the Volvo 850 platform and many elements including the suspension were revised. The exterior design was a brave attempt at turning the Volvo's design upside down. Volvo has done it before despite maintaining a reputation of a rather conservative car manufacturer. There are only few cars that stand out (for the right or wrong reasons) from the strict line of solid family sedans and estates. There were the P1800 in the 1960s, the 480 in the 1980s and now the C70.

Conceived as a full-size luxury car, the designers weren't tight. A lavish interior with plenty of space for 4 adults makes it one of the most sought-after coupe of the early 2000s. The list of original equipment is pretty impressive. Only two levels of trim were available: Standard and GT. The top specification of the C70 is available with cruise control, climate control, twelve speaker audio system, traction control, leather upholstery with veneer interior elements and other extras you usually find on expensive cars. There's also a 262-litre boot space to ensure that the C70 can also pretend to be a practical car.

Drive

The first "outside-the-box" Volvo sports car delivers a great ride quality. It's an exciting and powerful car offering a high level of comfort for both the driver and the passengers. It's mainly the style that makes people choose the C70 but it's not only pretty face. Built for fun and enjoyment, it still manages to deliver practicality and quality.

The car has a relatively low ground clearance and stiff suspension, which is normal for a sports car. The owner of the C70 should remember that it's not the usual old Volvo sedan, the C70 won't appreciate even the mildest off-road conditions; bumpy roads lower the level of comfort significantly.

Faults & Repairs

Although the car was made to a high standard, the older models suffer from rattling interiors, and the cabrio modifications tend to have the usual cabriolet problems. The roof should be meticulously checked before buying a used C70.

The Swedish car manufacturers have always been famous for their highly-forced turbo engines. Nevertheless, their engines are not faultless. The turbo can spin at 100,000rpm when driven fast. Anything that spins at such a speed is prone to failures. Cars that have seen excessive use might have problems with the turbo casing or the whole system. Listen for any unusual noises and make sure you open the bonnet as sound insulation is quite good on these cars.