Insurance Group: N/A
MPG: 31.4
CO2: 211
0-62 Mph: 7.1 secs
BHP: 227 BHP
Range: 428 miles
PROS: A stylish fusion of both individuality and understatement, the C30 T5 R-Design offers excellent performance when held up against its rivals. It also comes with Volvo’s famed sturdiness of build, and emphasis on safety.
CONS: The Geartronic maybe doesn’t do this sports model justice. Don’t expect it to be cheap to run either, as its running costs are higher than some of its rivals.
The C30 T5 R-Design comes equipped with a 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder engine which produces 233bhp. It feels a very involving car to drive, with the lowered and stiffened suspension of the T5 R-Design giving much more responsive steering than lesser models in the C30 range. The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control that is a standard feature of the car helps to give a poised, stable, ride experience.
The 233bhp engine produces 236lb-ft of torque, powering the car from 0-62mph in 7.1 seconds and with a top speed of 146mph. This performance is almost identical to the BMW 125i Coupe M Sport Auto, but the BMW is much pricier and less powerful.
The 5-speed Geartronic transmission feels refined and fluid in automatic mode, but its slow reactions from a standing start are a let down. In manual mode the Geartronic does suffer from a tendency to be harsh when downshifting.
The design of the stylish and unique C30 is a triumph for Volvo. It successfully manages to be thoroughly modern, while at the same time containing quite obvious nods to the Volvo 480 of the 1980s, and the 1960s 1800ES. The rear with its glass tailgate is clearly inspired by the 480, but looks perfectly placed here on the C30, and the design as a whole is clean and well proportioned. The front end contains a grille which is unmistakably Volvo, but remains a classy, comtemporary feel. The T5 R-Design model is identifies itself in a quite unpretentious, understated manner, by way of features such as a discreet grille badge and roof mounted rear spoiler. The standard issue 17-inch alloy wheels on the T5 design also manage to look both sporty, but in keeping with the cars unprepossessing manner.
In addition to the alloy wheels, the car comes with a good selection of standard features. The C30 T5 R-Design comes as standard with Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, climate control, electric front windows and door mirrors, cruise control, part-leather seats, driver, passenger, and front side airbags, CD player, and MP3 connectivity. Bluetooth and SatNav are optional extra’s, but can be added at a considerably lower cost than on its BMW rival.
The dashboard layout looks familiar, as it is near-identical to Volvo’s V50 and S40 models. This means that although it is functional, well-made, and well thought out, it does feel somewhat less dynamic on the inside than it does from the outside.
It seems clichéd to talk about Volvo in terms of safety, but it is an excellent selling point to have and the C30 T5 R-Design is no different. It has an overall Euro NCAP of 5, and performs well in rear end impacts when compared to the larger Volvo S40.
Like the BMW 125i Coupe M Sport Auto, the C30 only has four seats. If five seats is a strong consideration when buying, the both will obviously suffer in comparison to the similarly priced, 5-seater Audi A3 2.0-litre TFSI Sport S-tronic. However, if four seats meet your requirements, the C30’s individual rear seats do provide a comfortable, roomy environment for rear passengers.
Boot space in the C30 is poor compared the BMW 1-Series Coupe. The C30 has a capacity of 251 litres, compared to the BMW’s 370 litres.
Volvo has a reputation for reliability, and there is nothing to suggest it will be anything other than business as usual with the C30 T5 R-Design, which comes with a 3-year, 60,000 mile warranty.
One area where the C30 T5 R-Design does suffer is running costs. Its combined mpg of 31.4 is beaten by both the BMW 125i Coupe M Sport Auto and the Audi A3 2.0-litre TFSI Sport S-tronic. It also has higher CO2 emissions, with its score of 211g/km putting it in the higher K Road TaxBand.
At £23,610 it is almost identical in price to it’s more practical Audi rival, but almost £5,000 cheaper than the similar performing, four-seat, BMW 125i Coupe M Sport Auto. Historically, Volvo’s have held their value, and strong resale values are expected from the C30 T5 R-Design also.
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