2011 Volvo C30 at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Competes with: Mini Cooper S, Volkswagen Golf/GTI 
• Looks like: The C30 got a more interesting nose to go with its distinctive tail
• Drivetrain: Turbocharged five-cylinder with 227 hp; 21/30 mpg city/highway
• Hits dealerships: First quarter 2010

Volvo's distinctive C30 coupe has been updated and will be introduced later this month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. In addition to styling changes that bring it in line with the rest of Volvo's recent models, an optional sport treatment is claimed to put it more in contention with sporty European models like the Mini Cooper S, with which it's intended to compete. It's scheduled to hit the U.S. in the first quarter of 2010 and will likely be a 2011 model.

Where the C30 had — and still has — an unmistakable rear end, its nose looked more conservative, like the S40 sedan. Now it emulates bolder designs like the XC60 SUV and other models that have been restyled, like the C70 convertible — also set to debut in Frankfurt. The nose sweeps more fluidly into the hood, and the headlights extend way back into redesigned fenders. The chin spoiler is lower. The grille has the more prominent new Volvo logo, and the lower air intake is larger and optionally dressed up with an aluminum-look, non-functional skid-plate along with matching fog light bezels, side scuff plates and a rear skid-plate appliqué.

Even in C30s without the "styling kit," as it's called, there's less black plastic low on the body, and Volvo now offers several accent colors in addition to the matching body color. Though interior changes are modest, there are likewise multiple fabric and color choices, including some bright contrast colors.

Unfortunately, the U.S. will continue to get only the T5 trim level, whose 227-horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder delivers a relatively thirsty EPA-estimated 21/30 mpg. At least now the power is complemented by a new sport chassis option with a lower steering ratio and firmer springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars. A six-speed manual and five-speed automatic are available. More photos below.

Ford Focus, Volvo C30 Are Top Safety Picks

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has been expanding its crash tests to more and more segments. The very influential tests were recently applied to compact coupes, including the Honda Civic, Scion tC, Volco C30, Ford Focus and Chevy Cobalt. The group as a whole performed well considering the severity of the tests. None rated lower than Acceptable in front or side tests, while the Ford Focus and Volvo C30 scored top marks of Good in front, side and rear tests, earning the Top Safety Pick nod.

While the sedan version of the Civic is a Top Safety Pick, the coupe version earned an Acceptable side crash rating. This illustrates the point that safety ratings for one version of a model can’t be applied to others.

The Scion tC faired the worst, earning Acceptable front and side marks and only a Marginal in rear crash tests. You can see the full chart below, including previously tested sedan versions of the Civic, Focus and Cobalt.

Recall Alert: 2008-09 Volvo C30, C70, S40

Volvo is recalling 1,020 of its small cars, including the C30 hatchback, C70 convertible and S40 sedan, for a defect in their power steering system. A faulty hose could rupture, leading to a loss in power-steering fluid and an eventual failure and complete loss of power assist. 

Volvo says it’s contacting owners, and that dealers will inspect and replace the defective part free of charge. Concerned owners can contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. 

Volvo Recall - 2008 and 2009 C30, C70, S40 Models (U.S. Recall News)

She Said/She Said: 2008 Volvo C30

One of the most overlooked new cars to come out this year is the uber-stylish Volvo C30 hatchback. Amanda Wegrzyn and Beth Palmer – two young, city-dwelling Cars.com staffers — spent a week with the car to find out why it is still overshadowed by the Mini Cooper. If they are the intended market for the C30, it seems Volvo has done its job with the little hatch.

Amanda: Let’s start by discussing the most obvious element of this car: the hatchback. I think Volvo did a really good job with it. Somehow it made the hatchback sporty. Plus, this car is distinctive and unique without being ugly. And I was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic behind a Pontiac Aztek one afternoon, so I had a lot of time to think about this.

Beth: Agreed — I really like the way this car looks. My only complaint about the hatch was its utility: Just the glass lifts up, which looks cool but leaves a pretty narrow opening to a small cargo area. Also, the version we drove didn’t have any grocery hooks or cargo nets back there. Factor in the gap between the two rear seats, and you’ve got a grapefruit rocketing around the backseat during a drive home from the grocery store.

New Models Not Breaking Through in Tough Market

We have a saying around here that new cars sell, meaning a new design or totally new model will usually draw in shoppers. Whether it’s thanks to a ridiculous amount of money spent on advertising, positive reviews in the press or just a head-turning man-on-the street reaction, these cars usually perform. However, some much-hyped new models are not selling well these days as Americans tighten their belts. Check out which models whose sales we found surprisingly lackluster for the month of May. 

Pontiac G8: 1,832 units sold
Last year at this time, the outgoing and completely outdated Pontiac Grand Prix, which the G8 replaces, sold 12,230 units. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that half of those were fleet sales (which is probably on the high side). That would still mean it sold three times as well as the all-new, very-well-reviewed Pontiac G8. For the past few years, GM loyalists have begged GM to build this car, but now it seems these people aren’t willing to part with their cash for this large sedan. The V-8 version gets 15/24 mpg and the V-6 gets 17/25 mpg, both near the top in the segment, but still not attractive in $4-a-gallon-gas territory. That could be one issue. 

Through Ian's Lens: 2008 Volvo C30 R-Design

While reading comments on our blog during the second media day of the New York International Auto Show, our chief blogging officer, David Thomas, spotted something interesting under Joe Wiesenfelder's post on the Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3.

"Off topic, but can you take some pictures of the Volvo C30 R-Design while you're there? Ian takes some of the best auto pictures I've ever seen (way better than Autoblog and Jalopnik), and the pictures at Autoblog just aren't doing a good job of showing me how it's different from that standard C30." - Brian E.

Well Brian E., it's your lucky day. While I can't truly answer your question about the differences between the regular Volvo C30 and the more expensive Volvo C30 R-Design, I can tell you that it is one sweet machine. Design note: Watch for the etchings in the center stack near the radio as they repeat across the entire center console. It's pretty spectacular. A set of photos is below.

Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Mini Cooper S, Saturn Astra, Volvo C30

In one of the toughest Faceoffs in recent memory, Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder matched up three premium hatchbacks. It was a tough fight, with each car having strengths that won us over. The Volvo had the style, the Mini the go-kart goods and the Astra the practicality. Check out the winner and let us know if you think we got it right.

Cars.comparison: Premium Hatchbacks

Play Ball: Boston Red Sox Special Edition Volvo C30

We’ve seen more special editions than we can count here at Cars.com. Usually they’re just gussied-up versions of aging models meant to help them sell better. Volvo’s latest special offering, however, is a whole new ballgame. The company has a partnership with the Boston Red Sox and is building a limited run of its new C30 hatchback to commemorate the team’s championship season in 2007.

Volvo will build 107 of the C30s, in reference to the team’s 107 wins in ‘07. Each will have a plaque telling owners which of the 107 wins the car is commemorating. They’re finished in Passion Red paint with team logos on the fenders and rear glass hatch, as well as on the floormats. There’s also matte-silver finish on the mirrors and grille, plus a hefty array of features, including an alarm, fog lights, heated front seats, sport shifter and pedals, and a beefed-up audio system. 

All the special editions come with a five-speed automatic and 227-hp, turbocharged five-cylinder engine and will cost $29,465, not including a $745 destination charge. That’s compared to the C30 2.0’s MSRP of $25,700. Of course, the special editions will only be sold at select New England Volvo dealers. A few more photos are below.

Volvo Is Upscale Enough

Sometimes we sit around the Cars.com office and just scratch our heads when we hear what car companies are doing. In yesterday’s Detroit News came word that Ford is looking to make Volvo — Ford owns the Swedish automaker — more of an upscale luxury brand to better compete with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If you thought Volvo was already a luxury car company, it’s technically considered a near-premium brand. The differences are hard to explain, but recent Volvos I’ve reviewed were roughly $10,000 less than their BMW and Audi counterparts despite having similar features and engines. Other near-premium brands are Saab, Cadillac, Lexus and Infiniti.

Now, Ford has the best of intentions … for it. The company needs to make more money off Volvo, which continues to be unprofitable despite an improved lineup. However, with Audi already making inroads into BMW and Mercedes-Benz territory, is there room for another company to do the same?

Volvo to Make HD Radio Standard for 2009 Models

In manufacturers’ constant arms race to include better perks for drivers, Volvo will make HD radio receivers standard in almost all of its models beginning in the second half of 2008.

Still in relative infancy, HD radio promises better sound quality than standard radio and offers vastly expanded programming. This includes access to news, weather, school closings and other emergency information right on the display screen.

Far from a monolithic set of stations with the same programming whether you’re driving in Seattle, Kansas City or New York, HD radio varies geographically, offering different stations in different locations that will remind listeners of the quaint ways of old-fashioned AM/FM radio. Across the country, radio stations are making the switch to HD broadcasting. Nearly 2,000 stations either broadcast in HD or offer HD2 multicasts on the FM dial with no subscription fee.

While reception may be spotty in certain areas, that won’t be so different from driving through west Texas trying to find a decent classic rock station.

Interestingly, there are a few exclusions in Volvo’s list of models that will have HD radio. Not listed are the base S40 or V50, nor is the S60. That makes us wonder whether the S60 will be around in 2009.