Elegant, efficient Volvo C70
Introduction
Only a few years ago the idea of a diesel engine powering anything open-topped other than a tractor would have been preposterous. Modern diesels have changed that; excellent refinement, fantastic economy and enjoyable driving characteristics actually mean diesel drop-tops are often better their petrol alternatives. Volvo's C70 is offered with two turbodiesel choices, the five-cylinder D5, and this cheaper, even more frugal 2.0D.
What is it?
It's Volvo's convertible, the Swedish firm joining many others in offering its drop-top with a folding hardtop rather than a cloth roof. It's a good looker too; Volvo claiming it designed the C70 as a coupé first. With the roof up that's difficult to argue against, and Volvo has also managed to pull off the difficult trick of making the proportions look right when the roof is down - avoiding the fat-bottomed style of many rivals. In its various engine guises it competes with everything from VW's Eos and Vauxhall's Astra Twin-Top and other mainstream coupé-cabriolet offerings, to BMW's more upmarket 3 Series Convertible.
How does it drive?
The C70 isn't over endowed in the performance department, the 134bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine taking 10.3 seconds to reach 62mph. Given it's more of a cruiser than a back-road thrasher then that's really not a complaint. Where it matters (in-gear performance once it's on the move), the turbodiesel's ample torque ensures it's quick enough. It's reasonably refined too, meaning you're not bombarded with diesel clatter when you drop that clever folding hardtop.
Doing so reveals the C70's real appeal - it's a cool, comfortable and stylish open-topped drive. There's not a great deal of steering feel, and push on and it rolls a bit in the bends, but for the sort of relaxed, wind-in-the-hair cruising it's very agreeable. The interior helps here, Volvo's cool floating centre console being both easy to use and easy on the eye, while the big seats offer excellent adjustment and support. Roof up it's just as comfortable, the folding hardtop really allowing you to have two cars in one. There's not much space in those rear seats though, and the boot space suffers terribly when you're in top-down mode, but that's true of all its rivals, and unlikely to concern buyers.
Planet hugger or planet mugger?
In the world of cabriolets the C70 2.0D SE is something of a planet hugger. Convertibles are usually weighty, meaning poorer economy, but the C70 2.0D manages a very respectable 46.7mpg on the combined cycle, or around 10mpg more if you're on a longer cruise out of town. Thing is, with its relaxed nature you're unlikely to feel inclined to thrash it, meaning you might actually have a chance of getting near those official consumption figures. A CO2 emissions figure of 161g/km is also very planet friendly.
Verdict
Who says indulgent, open-topped motoring can't be environmentally friendly? The C70 blends the cool style of a coupé-cabriolet with the sort of combined consumption figures that used to be the preserve of superminis. It's an appealing choice if you're after a cool drop-top, but want to do so without being too unfriendly to the planet.
Monday March 31
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