Overview Full Review of Volvo C30 Consumer Reviews of C30 Volvo C30 Photo Gallery Volvo C30 Specs

There is a new hot-hatch on the market that blends a little old skool styling with a modern look, and Volvo's renowned safety features. The 2008 Volvo C30 is a new 2-door hatchback and is Volvo's smallest car for the U.S. market at 8.5 inches shorter than the S40 sedan. The C30 has a 6 speed manual transmission, 2.5L I5, 20 valve, 227-horsepower engine, seats four and offers a Custom Build ordering process with 17 different exterior color choices and 12 interior combinations.

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>> 2008 Volvo C30 overview - reviews, photos, and specs

>> Click on the link to read Kurt's full review of the Volvo C30

>> See all of the Volvo C30 photos in our photo gallery

>> Do you have an opinion of the new C30? Submit your review of a Volvo C30 at CarReview.com

>> www.volvocars.com/us - Official Volvo Cars website in the USA, where quality, safety and environmental awareness are combined to create automotive excellence.

Limited Run Of 107 Cars Lets Fans Drive Home The Magic

Irvine, Calif. (Mar. 6, 2008) - The Boston Red Sox remarkable 2007 season that culminated in a championship title continues to make headlines. Volvo is offering lucky fans the opportunity to drive home in what may be the ultimate collectible: The Boston Red Sox Special Edition Volvo C30. This specially equipped 2008 C30 is commissioned by Volvo and Major League Baseball to symbolize the partnership between Volvo and the Boston Red Sox.

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Volvo’s new compact crossover SUV is falling back on its solid reputation of building safe cars. We tested a couple of Volvo cars (C30 and S80) and were never really impressed with their sport and performance features. Even though Volvo marketing efforts were focused on the performance aspects, experts at CarReview felt that the safety features of the cars reviewed were the real strong points. So, it is good to see Volvo hyping up their City Safetyand other safety systems with their new XC60.

The entire XC60 safety package includes a fully integrated alcohol lockout system, Driver Alert Control that warns tired and inattentive drivers with monitoring alerts between lane markings, Adaptive Cruise Control that uses radar sensors to continuously monitor the vehicle in front and adjust road speed accordingly.

And the list of safety features continues:
• Distance Alert helps the driver maintain a preset time gap behind the vehicle in front, even when active cruise control isn’t on.
• Blind Spot Information System detects vehicles in the blind spot during daylight and darkness.
• Intelligent Driver Information System controls driver distraction by delaying incoming phone calls or text messages.
• Lane Departure Warning alerts the driver with a sound if the car crosses lanes without a turn signal.
• Collision Warning fires red warning lights on the windshield and sounds a buzzer sounds if you’re approaching another vehicle.
• Collision Warning with Auto Brake offers an audible and visible signal, then engages the brake pads before braking automatically.
• Emergency Brake Lamps start flashing from their high-mounted position when you press hard on the brake pedal, then turn to solid light.

Continue reading for the official press release from Volvo as the XC60 is featured during this week’s Geneva Motor Show.

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Overview Volvo C30 Specs Consumer Reviews of C30 Volvo C30 Photo Gallery Volvo C30 Video Review

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Engine has more grunt than a railroad chain gang
• Oozes with style (not applicable to our test model)
• Solid, quiet, reassuring ride
• Millions of build options - yes, millions

Dings:

• 24K car and no cruise control?
• Default super typhoon-force defog setting
• Narrow roofline drips rainwater into cabin when entering
• A bit portly for its size

Ruling: Proof that style and a nice backside can also earn “hot hatch” status.
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Overview Volvo S80 Full Review >Consumer Reviews of S80 Volvo S80 Photo Gallery Volvo S80 Specs

Clean Scandanavian design, strong V8 motor by Yamaha, and lots of interesting safety devices are integrated into the 2008 Volvo S80. The king of the hill trim level, the S80 V8 AWD, makes big waves with its 311-hp, 4.4-liter V-8 engine. Sit back in comfort with luxurious leather seats and enjoy the Dynaudio sound system if you seek an alternative to the V-8 melody.

 

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>> Click on the link to read Gary's full review of the Volvo S80

>> See all of the Volvo S80 photos in our photo gallery

>> Do you have an opinion of the current generation S80? Submit your review of a 2007 or 2008 Volvo S80 at CarReview.com

>> For 2008 the T6 AWD is added to the lineup featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter 285-horsepower engine.

>> www.volvocars.com/us - Official Volvo Cars website in the USA, where quality, safety and environmental awareness are combined to create automotive excellence.

Overview Volvo S80 Specs Consumer Reviews of S80 Volvo S80 Photo Gallery Volvo S80 Video Review

by Gary Chan

Introduction

When I think of Volvo design “exciting and passionate” do not come to mind. The last time I was excited about a Volvo was the mid-90’s 850 T5R model with the titanium-colored rims. Well, things have changed and the body on the S80 is downright sexy. Gone are the sharp edges and replacing them are curvaceous body lines. Plus, a 311 hp, 4.4L V8 engine that moves with the speed and determination of Gail Devers in the 100-meter dash is a nice boost for Volvo’s premiere sedan.

Pros

• Great engine and exhaust sound
• Solid braking and modulation
• Excellent Dynaudio sound system. Clean and accurate
• Interior materials fit and finish are exemplary
• BLIS - Blind Spot Information System for safe lane changes

Cons

• Non-intuitive cruise control interface
• Rear seat release
• Lack of Bluetooth and navigation

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Volvo Cars new integrated 2 stage booster seat helps protect children who have outgrown their toddler seat. This integrated 2 stage booster cushion in combination with the extended Inflatable Curtain, and load limiting seat belts is a world first and recently received international acknowledgement as a unique engineering solution to give children of different size a safe and comfortable travel experience. Chosen from thousands of new products and innovations, and selected as 1 of 100 best new technologies for 2007, Volvo Car Corporation, LLC, received Popular Science’s annual Best of What’s New award for this child protection system. A similar design was first shown in 2001 aboard Volvo’s Safety Concept Car as a concept that would provide better seat belt positioning for children. Subsequent refinements to the seat, vehicle side body structure, seat belt attributes, and inflatable side curtain culminated with launching Volvo’s newest crossover estate, XC70 in Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland this past March.

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