| Volvo is thinking big but offering small for U.S. | | | | cylinder engine. The C30's maximum torque is 236 |
| consumers these days. And so, it introduces its new | | | | foot-pounds at 1,500 rpm and continues to 5,000 rpm. |
| smallest car - the 2008 C30 Hatchback. | | | | The federal government has rated the fuel economy |
| The 2008 Volvo C30 Hatchback is based on the | | | | of the new C30 with just 19 miles per gallon in city |
| front-wheel-drive platform of the Volvo S40 sedan. It | | | | driving and 28 mpg in highway, with V-6 engines. In this |
| comes as a European-style package with four | | | | aspect, the Fit with manual ranks higher at 28 mpg in |
| bucket-type seats inside, three doors, and a mostly | | | | city driving and 34 mpg in highway. |
| glass rear tailgate. The design makes it look distinctive | | | | Unlike the usual Volvo vehicles, the C30 has large |
| on American roads, and thanks to the recognizable | | | | turning circle at 38.1 feet. |
| Volvo front end one would know immediately that it is | | | | As with the interior, the C30 has more of a European |
| a product of the Swedish automaker. | | | | feel as its width measures 70.2 inches, whereas |
| Safety is what Volvo cars are renowned for. And the | | | | Americans such as the 2008 Honda Accord comes |
| new C30 embodies this with an array of standard | | | | wider at 72.8 inches. The back seat provides a decent |
| safety features, including curtain air bags, electronic | | | | legroom as it measures 34.2 inches. The C30 also |
| stability control and traction control. | | | | provides a cargo spade of 20.2 cubic feet when the |
| The new C30 is shorter in length by 8 inches than an | | | | back seats are folded. |
| S40 sedan. However, it is longer by 10 inches than | | | | Regardless whether it comes with genuine Volvo |
| Honda's five-door Fit, which has a starting retail price | | | | distributor cap, the 2008 Volvo C30 has a starting |
| of $14,545 with manual transmission and non-turbo four | | | | manufacturer's suggested retail price of $23,445, |
| cylinder. By weight, the 2008 C30 is heavier by 770 | | | | including the destination charge, with six-speed manual |
| pounds compared to a Fit. It also feels quite firm and | | | | transmission. The five-speed automatic transmission is |
| stable in its ride as it is equipped with safety structure | | | | more expensive by $1,250, having a price of $24,695. |
| under the body panels and European-tuned | | | | Such price makes the C30 fit with other hatchbacks |
| suspension. | | | | from European car companies, like the 2008 |
| The 2008 C30 is powered by only one type of engine, | | | | Volkswagen GTI at $23,370 with manual transmission |
| which is the same turbocharged five cylinder that of | | | | and turbocharged four cylinder, and the Mini Cooper |
| S40 sedan. The engine is capable to boost the | | | | three-door car at $21,000 with manual transmission and |
| horsepower up to 227 -- an edge over Honda's Fit | | | | turbocharged four cylinder. |
| which has 109 horses from a naturally aspirated four | | | | |