Hatch of the season
Is there a prettier three-door hatch in the South African
marketplace? I certainly don’t think so. With five models in the Volvo C30
range to choose from the chance to drive the 1.6-litre turbodiesel model was
eagerly awaited … and I wasn’t to be disappointed.
To me there’s something very special about driving a Volvo.
Yes, it’s obviously full of super-duper airbag stuff, but from the first moment
you get behind the wheel, insert the ignition key and fasten your seatbelt …
those first two actions alone need something of an explanation. The key is very
different from the one you may be used to – fold up or otherwise. It’s squat,
has no sharp edges and fits neatly into the slot on the left-hand side of the
dashboard, high up. The seatbelts, meanwhile, simply glide like no other manufacturers
– there’s your introduction to the Volvo world!
As a matter of course, day or night, I always switch on the
headlights … an obvious throwback to 50+ years of motorcycle ownership I
suppose. Once again, the light switch easily located to the right of the
driver, feels good to operate – not a cheap and nasty plasticky switch like an
awful lot of cars I could mention.
Start the car up and the 1.6-litre 84kW turbodiesel bursts
into life quickly and – for a diesel – is almost clatter free on tickover. With
270Nm of torque one soon finds oneself in top gear (6th); roll on
the power and the C30 fuel computer digital recorder still refuses to reveal
double figures per 100km. (More about this later). Flick through that onboard
computer and, assuming you have a full tank – it will remind you have the
potential to travel 1000km before the need for any fill-up.
The cabin is a cosy place to be. Lots of shoulder room, the
centre console functional and office-like in the nicest possible way. The free-standing
centre stack allows one to easily connect your smart phone to the Bluetooth
system; the sound system simply superb. iPod connectivity and flash drive
availability are peripheral options on some but not the C30; nicely tucked away
in the centre cubby hole where your iPod can remain connected and out of the
way of prying eyes …
What’s it like to drive, I hear you say.
The aforesaid turbodiesel motor belies its 1.6 monicker –
the D2 runs like a two-litre. There’s always plenty of power in reserve and
lots of power up front; propelling the car along in classic sportscoupe-like
tradition. The clutch action is always light, gear-changes as snappy as you can
make them.
Roadholding remains exemplary as you may imagine. Somehow or
other, while driving the C30 you are able to find the time to look around you
and feel good about yourself … There’s certainly not many cars in my book that
allow you to feel like that.
• At the time of going to press, the Volvo C30 D2 Essential
sells for R261 900 and really ought to be at the top of your buying list
if you are looking for one of the smartest coupes around – and at sensible
money. Stick to the national sped limit and you’ll always ‘better’ 6.5 litres
per 100km. That’s 45 miles per gallon in old money!
