By Lou Cataldo
Volvo can be described with many words, but “flashy” isn’t one of them. The Swedish brand has built a reputation for safety, reliability, and an understated, minimalistic design language. However, while visually loud and aggressive cars may be more likely to turn heads, sometimes a model with a quiet, simple style can have a charm all its own.
One particular Volvo that really embodied this type of character, the C70, is hitting a milestone birthday this year, having first been released 30 years ago in 1996. Unfortunately, there is no present-day model to celebrate the occasion: the C70 was discontinued over a decade ago, back in 2013. We are taking a look back at the history and features of a Volvo with plenty of personality.
The Volvo C70’s First Generation: Elegance And Performance
The Volvo C70 was introduced in 1996 at the Paris Motor Show in coupe form. The most well-known and popular variant of the model, however, was the convertible; this version was introduced the following year at the Frankfurt Auto Show, marking Volvo’s return to the world of convertibles after a hiatus of several years. The C70 went on sale on the European market for the 1997 model year. However, North American customers had to wait until 1998 to get their hands on it.
The C70 was powered by a lineup that consisted entirely of five-cylinder engines. They varied in terms of size and power output over the years, ranging between 2.0 and 2.4 liters and producing between 161 and 242 hp. Only one naturally aspirated option was available, a 2.4-liter unit that produced 168 hp; all other engines in the lineup were turbocharged. Available transmission options included a five-speed manual and four- or five-speed automatics.
The first generation of the C70 came to an end in 2005, with 31,413 cars sold in the US. The convertible version was far more popular than the coupe: only 6,465 of the first-gen cars sold in the States sported the coupe body style, while the other 24,948 cars were convertibles.
A New Approach: The Model’s Second Generation
In 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Volvo introduced a second generation of the C70, which went on sale for the 2006 model year. It was the product of a collaboration between two major names of the automotive world: Volvo and Pininfarina. The two companies worked together to bring the S40 platform (which the second-gen C70 was built on) to life. While the previous generation had offered a coupe and a soft-top convertible as separate models, the second-gen model merged the two body styles by offering a single car with a retractable hard roof.
Like its predecessor, the new C70 was powered by inline-five engines, with two options available. A 2.4-liter, naturally aspirated engine powered the entry-level 2.4 and 2.4i trims. A 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine powered the T5 and T5 Polestar trims. Power outputs ranged between 138 and 250 hp, depending on trim and model year. Transmission options included a five- or six-speed manual and a five- or six-speed automatic. In Europe and a few other regions around the world, diesel options were also available, including one powered by an inline-four engine rather than an inline-five. The diesel models, however, were never sold in the North American market.
Our very own Senior Editor, Gerhard Horn, had mixed feelings about the second-gen C70, praising its design but finding its character to be less than exciting. Here’s what he had to say about the model:
“Looking back at the C70 Convertible, I now realize that all the things I didn’t like about it are the main reasons you should buy one now. At the time, the design was understated, which is another way of saying it was dull. But if you look at it now, you’ll see that it has aged beautifully. Even the interior looks marvelous in a modern world dominated by silly screens.
“Unfortunately, that’s where the praise ends. You might be tempted by the sound of the five-cylinder engine, but it’s going to require an exhaust upgrade so you can hear it properly. The C70 is brisk, but that’s about it. The handling is safe, but there’s really no fun to be had. Just buy a used Miata instead.” – Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor, CarBuzz
The second-gen C70 remained on the market until 2013, after which it was discontinued with no successor. A total of 36,995 units were sold in the US during this generation.
Sources: Volvo
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
