Volvo has made the price of C70 convertible ownership a whole lot cheaper. Ian Robertson tests the new entry level 2.0D
It’s not so long ago that the mere suggestion of a diesel engine in a convertible would have been met by puzzled faces and would probably have resulted in you being carted off by men in white coats, but the prospect these days is very much real. With the advent of performance diesels, and indeed much more refined diesel powerplants, the combination is in fact a good one.
Volvo has had a diesel engine available since the launch of the all-new C70 in 2006, but up until now, it’s been the five-cylinder D5 unit. Now, in order to reduce the entry level price of the C70, the Ford/PSA 2.0-litre diesel engine has been installed up front. The engine is already available in the S40 and V50, and has recently also become available in the S80 and V70 executive models. And what a choice, because it’s one of the most refined four-cylinder diesel engines on the market. Developing 134bhp, it equips the C70 with a good turn of speed, despite the heavy coupé-cabriolet body dumbing down the performance, and while the 2.0D could never be described as a performance car, what it does offer is a refined and comfortable drive, albeit a touch uninspiring. It’s mated to a six-speed manual gearbox which is light and easy to use, allowing smooth and punchy progress.
The cabin is a pleasant place to be, and features the floating dash, as first introduced on the S40 and V50. In our test car, it featured Nordic light oak wood trim, and whilst most rivals make do with a fake smattering, in the C70, it is real timber. It may not suit all tastes, and therefore it’s lucky that there are alternative finishes available, including gloss white and two variations of metal trim.
Pricewise, the C70 isn’t cheap and seems expensive compared to some rivals. For instance, the Focus CC, which shares the same engine and is a similar size can be bought in top specification for almost £7,000 less. Of course, there’s a wide difference in terms of perceived image, but the comparison is still worth making.
Roof down, the Volvo is pretty quiet and remains a buffeting free zone. With the English weather being a difficult animal to tame, you’ll be pleased to learn that it takes less than 30 seconds to put the roof down. And being a Volvo, you can be rest assured that it will have been tested to the end degree, meaning its one of the safest convertibles on the market, although EuroNCAP have yet to test the car. The C70 is a stylish convertible that is both safe and comfortable. While the 2.0D engine won’t set the world alight, it offers all the performance that most people will need. Yes the Volvo is on the pricey side, and you would need to weigh up whether the C70 is worth the extra outlay over more mainstream rivals.
ON SALE: NOW RANGE STARTS AT: £25,995 FOR C70 2.0D S
Drive Time
- Price: £27,995
- Engine: 1997cc, 4 cylinder, turbodiesel
- Gearbox: 6-speed manual
- Max Power: 134bhp at 4,000rpm
- Max Torque: 236lb ft at 2,000rpm
- Max Towing Weight: 1,500kg
- Combined Consumption: 46.3mpg
- CO2 Emissions (taxband): 161g/km (D)
- 0-62mph: 11.0secs
- Max speed: 127mph
- Insurance group: 15
Pros
Super refined engine, comfortable and relaxing to drive, coupé-convertible flexibility
Cons
Expensive to buy, not the most exciting car to drive, rear seats only big enough for children
