VOLVO C70 GETS NEW FACE

VOLVO SAYS: The new Volvo C70 is the ideal car for people who reward themselves with the best in life. It is as much an elegant coupé as it is a sporty convertible – two exhilarating cars in one sleek package, with the same elegant, clean lines in both versions.

The new Volvo C70 has the same smart three-piece steel roof, practical seating for four adults and world-leading convertible safety as before. With an updated design and elevated premium feel, the C70 delivers an "I want" aura of absolute world class. 

"The Volvo C70 has classic convertible lines and a strong identity of its own. What we have done is to carefully redesign the front and rear so they harmonise more with both today's and tomorrow's Volvo models. We have also increased the exclusiveness of the materials and trim details to enhance the atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car," explains Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.

With its new front, the Volvo C70 reveals traces of the all-new Volvo S60, which was recently unveiled in Geneva. As a result, the new C70 now blends in with the larger models in the Volvo range.

"The new C70 has a clearer, more pronounced face. The car's natural elegance has been modernised so it blends seamlessly with the most up-to-date, the most sophisticated backdrops," says Fedde Talsma.

Bodywork details such as the front wings have been redesigned, which gives the new C70 a fresh, stylish new look. The nose is more wedge-shaped and the headlights have been repositioned to give the new C70 a more dynamic appearance. The new headlights and the décor around the foglamps, for instance, have been angled up and to the rear, while the detailing of the lower grille is more pronounced.

From head-on, the front forms an open, inviting "V". The enlarged iron mark and the new, larger air intake reinforce the self-assured stance. Owners who want even more individuality can opt for the stunning new colour, Flamenco Red Pearl.

"The new C70 is a more elegant coupe, and a more exhilarating convertible than ever before. It's simply fantastic to drive," says Michelle Naudé, Marketing Director Volvo Car South Africa.

Sleek new rear design

The exclusive high-tech LED lamps, of the same type as found on the Volvo XC60, are the most noticeable update at the rear. The entire lamp unit is clearly integrated with the oval that frames the new C70's rear panel.

New lines and details in the rear bumper and elsewhere have been integrated to emphasise the depth and dynamism of the design language.

The interior has been updated in several respects to create a unique ambience in the new Volvo C70. The instrument panel has been redesigned, giving it a wider, sleeker look and the surface of the panel has a new texture that enhances the feeling of quality.

The exclusive new instruments, with gauges and graphics that are specific to the C70, are yet another example of how the car's premium feel has been emphasised still further.

"We've focused the new interior features around the driver to give the owner a stronger perception of being rewarded behind the wheel. The seats are upholstered in a new type of soft hide and there is even better detail finish to make driving a more pleasurable experience than ever before," continues Fedde Talsma.

The new Volvo C70 has been engineered as one of the safest convertibles on the market, with regard to both preventive and protective safety. The car has an advanced body structure and several solutions that are unique in the world of open cars. The lack of a fixed roof has been compensated for by structural reinforcements and sophisticated technology.

The Volvo C70 has sturdy metal hoops that shoot up at the rear of the vehicle, behind the rear seat passengers, that creates a protective "compartment" should the car roll over. These hoops, which are part of Volvo's Rollover Protection System - ROPS - are activated by a gyro-sensor. Since the Volvo C70 has a proper glass rear window, the hoops shoot up through the glass if the roof is up. They have therefore been fitted with small hardened metal spikes that break the glass in order to function properly.

One important part of the side-impact and rollover protection is the inflatable curtain, IC, which is installed in the door since there is no roof rail in which to fit it. The curtain has an extra-stiff design featuring twin rows of panels that are offset slightly in relation to one another. As a result, the curtain can remain upright and help protect occupants effectively, even if the window is open. What is more, the curtain deflates slowly, which provides added protection should the car roll over.

In addition to the inflatable curtains on either side, the front seat occupants also have side-impact airbags. These are designed to shield both the chest and hips. The inflatable curtain also interacts with the belt pre-tensioners to provide the best possible protection for front seat occupants in a side impact or rollover situation. All four seats come with safety belt pre-tensioners.

The Volvo C70 transforms smoothly from a cosy coupe into an open convertible. Just press a button and the three-part steel roof folds quickly and silently away, disappearing neatly into the boot.