2006 Volvo C70 Coupe/Convertible: Two for the Money
Kimatni Rawlins, 3.01.06
Rarely in life are we presented with the opportunity to acquire more than one item for the same price as just one. McDonald’s occasionally offers their 2-for-1 specials on Big Macs and supermarkets are infamous for such specials. Yet, when it comes to higher-end products like automobiles, the possibilities are minimal. Volvo has taken on the task of presenting consumer markets with the option of purchasing a new ride as both a coupe and convertible with their newly manifested 2006 C70!
Now the concept of “two for the money” is nothing new on the automotive scene. Basically, what has been done is that traditional soft tops have been forgone for the safer and sexier retractable hard-tops. Benz has such vehicles like their SL and SLK coupe-to-convertible transformers and Lexus has their SC430 hardtop drop-top. So what’s the big deal? Well for one, the previous C70 had a rag top. So to go from that to this is major. It required extensive redesigning, engineering and safety research. It’s a whole new vehicle for the Swedish car company, not just a model-year upgrade.
Two, Volvo’s traditional fidelity is garnered towards safety. The fact that they have accomplished such a feat before BMW, Jaguar or Porsche is phenomenal!
Three, the C70 looks as good as Brazilian Carnival dancers whether the top is up or down. The only thing needed to ice the package is a sweeter set of chrome wheels.
Four, the pricing is incredible; $38,710 ($695 destination charge) gets you in the door and includes the 6-speed manual (available $1,250 5-speed auto) tranny; aluminum dash, shift knob and steering wheel inlays; six-disc in-dash CD changer; trip computer; Flextech upholstery; and 17-inch “Sadira” aluminum rims.
Finally, the C70 is a true four-seater, a rare commodity in the convertible world!
To get up close and personal, Volvo chose the world-famous, neck-twisting roads of Hana, Hawaii to evaluate the attributes of the vehicle. The 600+ tight turns within the 35-mile creative stretch of our core route was a sure testament to the C70’s handling capabilities. Keep in mind this vehicle is not about speed or performance. This Volvo is designed for comfort, safety and friendly usability. So don’t expect the power of a BMW 3-Series -- yet the C70’s T5 218-horsepower I5 engine is turbocharged and moves quick enough to squeak through traffic but not fast enough to burst out of the gates. Its 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo kicks in within a usable rpm range but does not provide adrenaline-pumping speed increases. Improvement in chassis rigidity not only lead to enhanced safety in the new C70, but contributed to zero cowl shake and body flex over Hana’s curvy roads.
This Volvo is also not a gadget oriented auto. The interiors of the Audi A4 and Saab 9-3 convertibles are more advanced. But the C70 features a stylish slim center stack with four user-friendly knobs (two for audio and two for HVAC controls), a TV remote-sized control pad, and provides storage behind the stack. With the top down, wind control is great even without the optional windscreen. The C70 does offer more interior room than any of the aforementioned competitive vehicles. Its Scandinavian influenced leather interior that comes with the optional $1,395 Premium Package (also includes HomeLink and compass) is very comfortable and has headrests that feel like down pillows. The biggest news with the interior is the optional $1,550 Dynaudio Package that features 14 speakers, two subwoofers and 910-watts of juice! With digital signal processing technology, the C70’s sound switches up like a chameleon to adapt to environmental changes such as when the roof is up or down.
To enjoy the great outdoors, the C70’s three-piece, steel retractable top folds back in less than 30 seconds. It uses an electric motor, hydraulic pump and a computer to go back and forth. When stowed however, your trunk space is cut from 12.8 cubic feet to six. Rightly so, much technological advancement must be factored in with the implementation of a convertible. And as always, Volvo’s keynote feature is still safety. Among myriad safety features, the C70 has SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) with inflatable curtain airbags that pop up from the doors and stay inflated up to eight seconds. You also get seat mounted side-impact bags; the front seats feature whiplash protection; and pop-up roll bars intercede during a rollover to create a high strength force field (seat belts are needed!).
I witnessed a live crash test with the C70 at Volvo’s Safety Center in Sweden and was astounded at how much protection it provided when rammed by an SUV during a side impact collision. I would have expected more damage. Volvo is amazing for their careful consideration of life. My daughter would drive a C70 for sure if she wanted a convertible. I would have it no other way!
Double Take: You’d Better Recognize!
Brian L. Armstead, 3.01.06
I pity the fool who overlooks Volvos when shopping for new cars, particularly a new convertible. No longer do Volvos look like they’ve been made from Lego blocks, as the reigns have come off of the formerly staid designs from the company. No longer are Volvos the exclusive domain of those who look like professors or librarians. Yes, the Scandinavians have finally looked around the streets of Stockholm and have drawn inspiration from the hi-styled six-foot blondes, and the always cool designs of Scandinavian furniture.
Yes, Volvo is now a player on the style scene! The new C70 is a work of art. Get it in red, and you may have visions of unnamed Italian Spyder supercars! Yes, the C70 is that sexy.
But what I like most about Volvos has not and will never change. This is the safest convertible on the market today. Look for another with side curtain airbags and you won’t find it. Volvo owns the market for now and other manufacturers will have to play catch up.
No matter what your desires are for a car, truck or SUV, make sure you factor in safety with the same urgency and priority as you factor in good tunes, leather seats and 22” rims. Volvo’s got it down. And that’s the way it is.
