2007 Volvo C30

Paul Deutschman and Michael Pistol

Volvo's new entry point vehicle has been designed to appeal to those active urbanites. is it on the mark? Is it still a Volvo? Is it fresh thinking? More importantly, will it impress our resident design gurus?

PAUL DEUTSCHMAN

Back in 2001, Volvo presented a brilliant concept car known as the SCC. In a single brushstroke, Volvo managed to combine the essence of Volvo's P1800ES with new Volvo design language, to create a thoroughly modern, highly desirable sports wagon.

Clearly Volvo was on to something. But we had to wait five years for that something to emerge.

The reincarnation took the form of the C30, introduced as a near-production model at this year's Detroit auto show. The styling cues are unmistakable: glass hatchback; musical-note taillights; tapered side glass; shouldered rear quarters. These are all great design features.

The C30 doesn't have the outright sex appeal of the SCC, but rarely does a concept car make it through to production completely intact. The resulting vehicle is, however, a handsome and original design.

Volvo is smart to go after a youthful market with a sporty, entry-level model like the C30. It seems destined to give Audi's A3 some sleepless nights.

• It's always good to show a pre-production model with big wheels (these are 20 inchers).

• Lower front bumper abuts nicely onto the front spoiler's upper surface.

• Front end is pure Volvo -- handsome with no surprises.

• Lovely, simple glass hatchback -- doesn't need the roof spoiler.

• Two-tone paint (Quite White and Very Bronze) is not my cup of tea, but OK for the show car.

• Subtle bulge in fender above the wheel arch works really well.

• Highly original rear treatment that still says "Volvo."

• Distinctive taillights carry the bumper split line all the way into the roof.

• Lower rear bodywork has lost the litheness of the SCC.

Paul Deutschman of Deutschman Design Inc. is a Montreal-based automotive designer (www.deutschmandesign.com).

MICHAEL PISTOL

Cleverly borrowing from the 2001 SCC Safety Concept Car and the iconic P1800ES, Volvo's new C30 manages to address more than just heritage and continuity issues.

Volvo says the vehicle is targeted at "young urbanites with accelerating careers and intensive, active lifestyles,"and that C30 is less about sentimentality and nostalgia and more about activity-focused excellence.

The C30 is essentially a versatile hatchback, with enough flare to attract the fashionistas -- you know, those educated customers for whom a car is a visual statement. As such, there are nice, subtle touches, such as the shape of the windows, which echoes the look of modern sport-styled sunglasses.

Designed under the supervision of the Canadian-born Simon Lamarre, the C30 is expected to play an important role in Volvo's plan to sell 600,000 cars a year. It will be unveiled in production form this September, and watch for it on sale in the late summer or early fall of 2007.

• Very distinctive mirror and mirror arm. Black treatment on mirror arms also ties together the black on the front intakes and window treatment.

• No Bling! Except for the updated yet traditional grille, use of chrome is restrained, to project a more refined aesthetic.

• Lighting elements on shoulder and hood ridge 'pushes' forward the boat-like front end.

• Modern sport sunglasses are the inspiration for the side-glass treatment.

• Colored ground-effects keeps car visually 'low', acting as a buffer between the body and the road.

• Retains Volvo's unique visual signature -- the instantly recognizable rear shoulders and lights cluster.

• Rear bumper successfully mimics and matches theme in front.

• Distinctive rear gate handle is both beautiful and intelligently placed.

Michael Pistol, of Michael Pistol Automobile Studio, is an art concept automobile designer/ builder and automotive journalist specialized in design and marketing (willow47@allstream.net).

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