Volvo C50? Confirmed

[mikeyb]

During a sit down with Volvo's senior veep of R&D, Magnus Jonsson told Automotive News that a five-door version of the C30 might be in the cards. "The five-door would be less exciting from a design perspective, but we're looking to expand." That seems like an accurate statement considering that stretching the three-door model could have a few negative aesthetic implications. But if sales of the C30 in the U.S. and Japan go through the roof, a five-door model could be a competitive product for buyers looking to move up market from the C30's platform sibling, the Mazda3.

[TinmanMS6]

I'd go with a V50 over a 5-door C30, but I suppose the difference in price might produce some sales.

[mikeyb]

I'd go with a V50 over a 5-door C30, but I suppose the difference in price might produce some sales.

I would would take a V50 over a 5 door C30 as well. A 5 door C30 would be similar to a Golf 5 door not a true sport wagon.

[Rogue]

wouldn't they be hurting their own V50 sales?

[TinmanMS6]

Hard to say. I think the C30 in general pulls some buyers into Volvo showrooms that otherwise wouldn't be able to afford one. In my case, I can't really go with a hatchback, because I'd like to be able to throw a couple of dogs in back, but some people just want a hatch so they have the option of folding the seats down and throwing something big in there occasionally.

There should be a market for a 5-door Golf and a Jetta Sportwagen when that finally comes out, so there should be room for these, too.

[mikeyb]

http://images.worldcarfans.com/articles/2007/12/3/9071203.009/9071203.009.Mini1L.jpg

http://images.worldcarfans.com/articles/2007/12/3/9071203.009/9071203.009.Mini2L.jpg

Sportback style

Last month the Autobloggers went out on a limb and reported about a five-door C30. Senior VP of R&D at Volvo, Magnus Jonsson, told Automotive News that “The five-door would be less exciting from a design perspective, but we're looking to expand.”

And expand they will, but not with a five-door hatch. Last week we spoke with Volvo PR at the Helsinki Motor Show and they confirmed the expansion of the Volvo C30 line-up, but with a sportback / wagon version of the C30 (arguably the same if not very similar to a 5-door hatchback). What Volvo would call the car is not clear, but something like C50 or V30 would make sense.

The C30 wagon, platform sharer with the Mazda3, would be a direct competitor to the Audi A3 Sportback, much like the C30 is a direct competitor to the Audi A3. All the pieces just seem to fall into place, and our Desk Top Publishing expert Larson has some very convincing images to back-up this claim.

A Volvo C30 Wagon would fall right in Mulally, president at Ford, his plans for Volvo and its brand positioning. Mulally said: "I think we can do substantially better than where we are today." Building on the succes C30 seems only logical.

[JC-MP5]

Teh sexxx! I want it! ^^^^^ (shocked)

[seanmcsean]

looks cool. it will be way overpriced though.. I can't justify spending 26k on that thing.

[TinmanMS6]

looks cool. it will be way overpriced though.. I can't justify spending 26k on that thing.

You really think that's too much money for one of these? You can very easily option a GTI up to that.

I might consider one of these come purchase time.

[ottawaP5]

I like it a lot. I would have considered getting one of these but every review I hear says that it doesn't drive sporty at all. Too bad, because it really looks the part.

[seanmcsean]

You really think that's too much money for one of these? You can very easily option a GTI up to that.

I might consider one of these come purchase time.

you can, but I'd rather have the GTI.. A nicely loaded c30 is around 30 grand.

There are a lot of better value cars I'd rather have for that price.

[coolmazda5]

Weird hatch but nice looks. I hope they officially refer to it as a hatchback rather than calling it a wagon, it would make more sense.