Volvo C70 (2006 - To Date)
4 diesel [S, SE, SE Lux, Sport])
BY ANDY ENRIGHT
Even though the original C70 was launched way back in 1997, its still something of a novelty for many to see a sleek and curvaceous Volvo product. The post 06 C70 remains one of the best looking coupe-convertible cars around, its lines doing a good job disguising the long boot thats required to house the roof in cars like this. In fact, its tough to believe that the C70 rides on Fords C1 platform, the chassis that it bases the Focus range on. As a used buy, it makes a lot of sense as the only real point counting against the C70 is that its price from new is stretching the limit of what a car of this size and provenance should ask.
Unveiled at the 2005 Frankfurt Show, this C70 retains the sleek good looks of its predecessor, but augments the offering with a folding hard top and improved driving manners. With the hood in place, you probably wouldnt guess that the C70 is capable of flipping its lid. The rear deck isnt overly long (the usual giveaway) and the roofline is smooth and beautifully integrated with the rest of the bodywork. The old C70 coupe used to sell within five seconds of customers clapping eyes on it and this generation model has proved similarly successful.
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The C70 is in reasonable demand and plump used prices reflect this fact. Youll need to front up with around £23,000 for the first of the 06 plate 2.4i Sport models and about the same for a slightly higher mileage SE. The T5 SE starts at around £25,000 for a decent example.
Diesel models are a little tougher to find but kick off at around £25,500 for a D5 SE. Insurance for the C70 isnt cheap, with the bigger diesels and petrols ranging between Groups 15 and 18.
The big ticket item to check with the C70 is the hood mechanism. Its one of the more reliable actions of its type but youll need to make sure everything is working fine and that the boot cassette engages properly in its mount. The underlying mechanicals are tried and tested parts and shouldnt give cause for concern. The interiors are also more hard wearing than most.
Check for bumping bumps and scrapes as some C70 customers dont have the best spatial awareness.
(approx based on a 2006 C70 T5) Expect to pay around £175 for a clutch assembly, while front brake pads wont see much change from £70 for a pair, with rears weighing in at a more lightweight £38. Youll be looking at £180 for a radiator and the best part of £200 for a starter motor.
In the UK, this C70 was offered from launch with two in-line, five-cylinder petrol engines the range-topping, turbocharged T5 producing 226bhp and torque of 320Nm, plus a normally aspirated, 2.4-litre unit producing 170bhp. In addition, theres a five-cylinder, 180bhp D5 diesel engine, plus the later addition of a four cylinder 136bhp 2.0D unit.
At its introduction, Volvo claimed the C70 to be the only four-seater premium convertible with a folding steel roof and as such, the Swedes believed that theyd stolen an important march on any perceived competition. The most impressive engine is the D5 common-rail turbo diesel. The 178bhp output indicates strong performance and the 0-60mph sprint of 8.8s is very rapid for a vehicle of the C70s bulk but its the engines hefty torque output that defines its on-road character.
A muscular 350Nm is generated between 1,750 and 3,250Nm and this endows the car with strong and instantly available acceleration across a wide range of engine speeds. It also helps the D5 work nicely with its 5-speed Geartronic automatic transmission. The gearbox doesnt have to work hard to keep the engine on the boil and it all adds to the tranquil atmosphere inside the C70. The car produces a 38.
7mpg combined fuel economy figure and CO2 emissions are pegged at 193g/km. If you dont need all that power, have a lower budget and want to improve emissions, a four cylinder 136bhp 2.0D diesel version is on offer. The Volvo is no slouch but its not a particularly rewarding car to drive fast.
The pleasure with the C70 is to be gleaned from folding that roof down and going for a leisurely cruise on a sunny day. The throttle response is quite lethargic and the steering isnt particularly rapid but wind-buffeting is minimal when the roof is stowed and engine noise is far from intrusive. It also corners keenly when committed.
The Volvo C70 does a very good job for the sort of customer its targeted at. These buyers will likely be older, with kids who have left home and would like a feel-good car that doesnt impose tiresome sacrifices. On those counts its a winner all the way and used examples make access that little bit easier. The D5 diesel is the pick of the bunch but given that many C70s cover very modest mileages, the 2.
4-litre petrol models are the most plentiful.
