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2009 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design Review

10-25-2008

by Luc Gagné, Auto123.com


People looking for a solution to rush-hour traffic and jammed city streets won't buy a Volvo C30 for the same reasons they would buy a Toyota Yaris. The latter is a rational pick based on affordability and fuel efficiency.

The Volvo C30 T5 R-Design boasts numerous styling enhancements, particularly the contrasting appliqués.

On the other hand, emotion is what drives customers to purchase a C30, which is twice as expensive as its Japanese counterpart. They want a car that's not only a blast to drive but also great to be seen in. The MINI Cooper S and Audi A3 2.0T are other such examples.

Having said that, what's the point of giving the C30 a new personality with the R-Design Package? Well, you see, some consumers nowadays are only interested in designer products (be it a car, a clothing accessory or whatever) because they carry a certain prestige.

Return of the pendulum
There's something funny about that. In the 1980s, a Lincoln owner not only had to drive a Continental to stand out, but one with the signature of Bill Blass or Versace!

The marketing gurus at Volvo are banking on the return of this trend, which is why they subtly combined two of their 2008 packages (Sport and Sport Styling) into a single package for 2009 -- called R-Design. Volvo is not the only automaker to use that approach; think of Audi with the S Line.

"R-Design fits perfectly in our strategy to make our cars more extrovert," explains Steve Mattin, Volvo Cars Senior Vice President of Design. "R-Design gives buyers the opportunity to add even more spice to their sensational cars."

In Canada, R-Design packages are available with the 2009 C30, S40, V50 and XC90. Of course, added prestige comes at a price. In the case of the C30 T5, it represents a $4,200 premium.

The turbocharged engine of the C30 T5 develops 227 horsepower.


What R-Design is all about
My tester featured 18-inch Atreus alloy wheels (instead of the standard 16s). However, as stylish as they may be, these wheels need bigger, pricier tires when winter comes around. Sixteen-inch rubber proves not only cheaper but also much more competent in the snow.

The R-Design Package includes stylish 18-inch alloy wheels.

The C30 T5's R-Design Package also includes dual exhaust tips, chromed mirror caps, a rear spoiler that does not compromise visibility, sport dials and pedals as well as aluminum inlays on the dashboard and gearshift knob.

Meanwhile, the black Vulcaflex seat upholstery incorporates a contrasting cream-colored leather insert. A discreet R-Design logo is embossed on the front seatbacks, which feature cream-colored stitching and generous support.

Outside, the lower body kit emphasizes the smooth lines of the C30. Volvo offers either body-colored rocker panels or a two-tone exterior. The latter is well executed and, as far as I can tell from my road test, it turns a lot of heads.

Fortunately, the R-Design Package is not merely about style. It also improves the quality of the driving experience with powerful xenon lights, headlamp washers and power-adjustable front seats (or just the driver's seat in the case of the C30 2.4i R-Design).

Here you go, mæstro!
My tester even came with the Dynaudio Package. This 650-watt, 10-speaker Pro Logic II system delivers outstanding sound reproduction, something that will delight music lovers for the entire duration of the trip. Once again, there's a hefty price attached to it ($1,000).

Sport dials and pedals as well as aluminum inlays on the dashboard and gearshift knob.


The test vehicle also had a small cargo cover in the back. While it can be cumbersome at times, this panel does a great job of hiding all your valuables from preying eyes and potential thieves. I don't understand why Volvo made it optional ($350) given that the rear glass hatch is easy to break with a crowbar.

Everything else is typical C30
Beyond these gadgets, the T5 R-Design model remains a true C30 at heart, delivering powerful, linear accelerations with sustained enthusiasm. The turbocharged 5-cylinder engine is 2-second faster from 0 to 100 km/h than the naturally-aspirated 2.4L.

The 5-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic manual mode ($1,500) proved to be a wonderful teammate. This flexible, well-calibrated unit is a lot of fun when manually changing gears on twisty roads.

The 2009 Volvo C30 T5 offers a smooth ride thanks to a finely-tuned suspension and a sharp steering.

Fuel economy surprised me. After 1,200 kilometers of city and highway driving, I wound up with an average of 9 liters per 100 kilometers. While the C30 2.4i does slightly better, this figure is still pretty commendable for a turbocharged hot hatch. Granted, the T5 model is costlier to run since it requires premium gasoline.

Superb tourer
The 2009 Volvo C30 T5 offers a smooth ride thanks to a finely-tuned suspension and a sharp steering. The nicely-sculpted buckets are a real treat in terms of comfort. However, the rear seats are quite small. You won't hear complaints from pre-school kids, but anyone taller should hope that the drive is not too long, especially adults.

As for Volvo's Blind Sport Information System ($750), I still question its merit. The small warning lights tend to flash way too often, for example in dense traffic. Like Peter who cried wolf, you start to forget about them after a while. What's more, BLIS will sometimes warn you of obstacles that don't even exist! Go figure...

Still, if I were in the market for a premium sport compact, I would take the Volvo C30 in a heartbeat. It's one of the rare cars that inspire driving enthusiasts even at idle -- with or without the R-Design badge. You can mark my words!