By Mauricio Lezcano / carsNtravel.com
While the Volvo C30 has often been called the sportiest-looking Volvo, a new, limited-production version may also be called an enthusiast magnet.
The excitement begins under the hood where the C30’s standard 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine receives a healthy performance upgrade. Polestar, Volvo’s official performance partner, provides performance software that boosts output by 23 horsepower and 37 lb.-ft. of torque to 250 horse power and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The improvement in power and torque is archived through increased turbo boost in combination with re-optimized ignition and fuel maps.
Polestar’s upgrade offers the best of both worlds; Optimized power and torque without affecting certified fuel consumption. This is possible thanks to efficient tuning of the engine which only increases the power output when it’s needed.
The visual magnetism is enhanced with new 17-inch Styx alloy wheels with matte black finish and Polestar badges on the rear and sides of the vehicle. To signify that this C30 is special, all 250 iterations will wear the new for 2013 exterior hue of Rebel Blue and have a special interior numbered plate.
Inside, the sporty cabin is dressed with premium leather seating surfaces in a choice of Off-Black or two-tone Off-Black and Calcite. Standard features, equivalent to the Premier Plus trim level of the C30 T5 R-Design, include a power glass sunroof, power driver’s seat with memory, soft load cover, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, power passenger’s seat, LED daytime running lights, Keyless Drive and active dual Xenon headlights.
Customers can further upgrade this model by selecting the optional Platinum trim level. This includes the superb Volvo Premium Sound System with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound, 10 loudspeakers and an astonishing 650 watts. Also included is a navigation system with real time, remote control and map care plus Sirius/XM satellite radio.
The C30 Polestar Limited Edition features standard R-Design cues including a color coordinated body kit, front grille R-Design logo, R-Design watch dial instrument cluster, unique aluminum inlays, R-Design sport steering wheel and sport pedals.
For 2013, this version like all C30s gains standard rain sensor windshield wipers and headlight washers. A climate package can be added with heated front seats, Electronic Climate Control and Interior Air Quality System.
A standard sport chassis provides improved chassis dynamics and steering reflexes, spring stiffness is increased by 30 percent while the dampers feature a mono tube design that builds up pressure quicker for 20 percent increased in low-speed damping. Steering is more precise with stiffer bushings and a 10 percent quicker steering ratio.
The C30 Polestar Limited Edition is well equipped with standard safety features including Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, Volvo’s Side Impact Protection System and whiplash Protection Seating System.
In addition it features Volvo’s patented front structure. Divided into zones, it incorporates different deformation properties with the outer zones accounting for most of the deformation in a frontal collision. To ensure that each zone has the right characteristics, the quality of the steel has been varied. Four different types of steel are used. Apart from normal body steel, three different grades of high strength steel are used. Different steel grades are used in the rear to help protect occupants in the event of a rear end collision.
The Volvo C30 Polestar Limited Edition; it’s a blast to drive and the hatchback makes it very practical, it has plenty of power, the sport suspension handled cornering very well and the manual transmission shifted well. The cabin offers solid tech features such as navigation and audio systems. Production will be limited to 250 vehicles exclusively for the U.S market.
EPA fuel economy estimates are identical to the standard C30 T5 R-Design with 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for the six-speed manual transmission and 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway with the optional five speed Geartronic automatic.
The base manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $32,445.00, which includes an $895.00 destination charge.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
