Volvo C30

	Volvo will be hoping the C30’s radical looks will tempt buyers away from the Golf, Audi’s A3 and BMW’s 1-Series

Volvo's VW Golf-rival, which has been christened the C30, was snapped during cold-weather testing by our spy photographer.

And despite the black coverings, the pictures reveal that the new compact executive hatch has the same proportions as the concept seen at the Detroit Motor Show (issue 891). With a steeply raked rear window and chunky lines, the C30 brings the look of the late Eighties 480ES and original P1800ES bang up-to-date. Beneath the black sheets, the C30 has the same nose as the S40 saloon. But at the rear it’s totally different, with a glass tailgate and new lights.

Volvo will be hoping the C30’s radical looks will tempt buyers away from the Golf, Audi’s A3 and BMW’s 1-Series – all key targets. And although the new car is shorter than the S40, it shouldn’t be lacking in passenger room. Featuring two rear seats mounted as far back as possible, Volvo says the C30 can accommodate four adults. It won’t be big on boot space, but the tailgate should make access easy.

In true Volvo tradition, the dashboard will be of very high quality, with a floating centre console borrowed from the S40 and lots of soft-touch materials. Engines will come from the S40, too, with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units, while a 260bhp 2.4-litre five-cylinder turbo unit will power the range-topping C30 R version.

The performance model will come with stiffened suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and ventilated Brembo brakes. The C30 will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September, and go on sale early in 2007, priced from around £17,000.