| The all new Volvo C70 convertible, that also
doubles as a coupé, made its world debut at the Frankfurt motor
show in September.
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Thanks to a unique three-piece retractable hardtop, customers of the
second-generation, all new Volvo C70 can enjoy life without compromise
– whether the roof is up or down.
“We’ve succeeded in creating an attractive convertible which,
at the touch of a button, converts into an equally elegant coupé,
giving the customer two cars in one – with space for four adults,”
says Volvo Cars President and CEO, Hans-Olov Olsson.
Design
The all new Volvo C70 is about the same size as its predecessor, and remains
a full four-seater, with a sleek design whether the roof's up or down,
and is immediately recognisable as a modern Volvo.
“Putting together harmonious lines both with and without a roof
is no easy job,” says Fedde Talsma, design manager for the all new
Volvo C70. “We decided to start with the coupé design. When
we were satisfied with the result, we made the necessary adjustments to
create a convertible out of the coupé lines, which our experience
tells us is the best way of going about it.”
Unique safety solutions
Volvo has developed the all new Volvo C70 to offer new standards of preventive
and protective safety in the convertible market. The car has an advanced
body structure, greater torsional rigidity and several innovations that
make it unique among open-top cars.
A unique example of this is the new door-mounted Inflatable Curtain (IC),
part of the C70's enhanced Side Impact Protection System (SIPS). As the
IC cannot be fitted in the roof, like the rest of the Volvo range, it
has been innovatively fitted in the door to inflate upwards instead of
downwards. Volvo's safety engineers have also fine-tuned the IC to be
extra stiff so it can stay upright and help protect the head more effectively.
In addition, the curtain then deflates more slowly to provide additional
protection if the car rolls over.
High torsional rigidity
The C70's carefully designed body structure not only contributes to the
car’s high safety standards, it also gives the body higher torsional
rigidity – and with the roof up, torsional rigidity increases by
a further 10-15 per cent.
“A torsionally rigid body was an important criteria for the new
C70’s driving behaviour,” says Volvo C70 project manager Patrik
Widerstrand. “It makes the car more stable, easier to control and
therefore safer – but also makes the all new C70 more dynamic and
fun to drive.”
In the UK, the car will initially be offered with two in-line, five-cylinder
engines – the range-topping, turbocharged T5 producing 220 bhp and
torque of 320 Nm; plus a normally aspirated, 2.4-litre unit producing
170 bhp. In addition, a five-cylinder, 180 bhp diesel engine is due to
join the range during 2006.
Cooperation with Pininfarina
The development and manufacture of the all new Volvo C70 are the result
of a joint venture with renowned Italian design company Pininfarina and,
like its predecessor, the car will be built in Uddevalla, Sweden.
Sales
Full details, including prices and specification of the C70, will be released
at its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, when
order books will also open at UK dealers, with the first C70s expected
to be in showrooms and delivered to customers in early 2006.
“Our all new Volvo C70 is the first open-top car in the premium
segment with both a steel roof and space for four adults. We believe this
is a highly sought-after combination. That’s why we expect to more
than double our sales compared with the first-generation C70,” says
Olsson.
The first-generation Volvo C70 Convertible had its best year in 2004 with
just over 7,000 cars sold globally.
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