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Possibly the biggest news to come out of Volvo's announcement of pricing for the 2011 C30 is that there is going to BE a 2011 C30. We ogled the nipped and tucked C30 T5 in Frankfurt and came away even more smitten than before with Volvo's neo-brake. The revised fascia and nipped and tucked bumpers bring the C30 into line with the future of Volvo design, however shaky that may be.

It's hard to deny the allure of the stylish little dumpling, and it won't even break the bank. Available in the United States exclusively in T5 trim for 2011, $24,600 (plus *$850 for destination and delivery charges) will get you into the Swedish hatch with a 227 horsepower inline-five hooked to a six-speed manual. If the swoopy Swede isn't enough for you in stock trim, the C30 T5 R-Design brings lowered ride height and a monochromatic bodykit that makes the car look like it's hunkered way down over its new 18-inch wheels.

The best part of the R-Design package are the suspension tweaks. Volvo says the stiffer bushings make the steering more direct and the rack's ratio is faster, too. Spring rates are up, and both the dampers and the swaybars have been stiffened, as well. Sounds expensive, doesn't it? Not so much – $26,950 (plus $850 D&D) strikes us as a small bargain for the nattily styled Volvo hatch with sharpened teeth. Of course, that's before a visit to Ye Olde Options List, where the bottom line can get pretty daunting pretty quickly. Press release posted after the jump.

Source Autoblog

Volvo C30 Pics

PRESS RELEASE:

Volvo announces pricing for the new 2011 C30 T5 and C30 T5 R-Design

Rockleigh, NJ (December 11, 2009) - Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) announced pricing today of its exciting C30 T5 and C30 T5 R-Design. The C30 T5 has a MSRP of just $24,600* while the sporty C50 T5 R-Design starts at just $26,950*. Both cars come standard with a powerful turbocharged 227 horsepower inline 5-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission.

The new Volvo C30 T5 and C30 T5 R-Design see significant changes for the 2011 model year. The entire front clip has been redesigned, including the soft nose, front fenders, grille, headlights and lower front spoiler. This gives the car a radical new appearance from the front, carving out a distinctive personality which clearly separates the new C30 from the Volvo S40 and V50.

Following on the heels of the dynamically styled XC60 premium crossover, the 2011 C30 incorporates a large Volvo iron mark. The air intake has also grown in size and resembles the intake in the XC60. The grille has a new pattern used exclusively on both C30 variants.

Although the biggest design changes have taken place at the front, the rear also sports the same deep new lines and detailing. The contours are more dramatic than before. The black plastic panels have been replaced with more body color lower down, in the same or a contrasting color, to forge a closer visual contact between the car and the road surface.


C30 T5 R-Design - Taking it to the next level

The biggest changes in the new Volvo C30 T5 R-Design are actually hidden beneath the skin. While the car's extroverted body kit and design cues are easy to see, it is the chassis and the steering that have been the main focus of attention. The aim is to create a sporty driving experience and a sophisticated feeling of comfort.

The R-Design chassis has been modified in several areas. Stiffer bushings allow for more precise steering. The steering ratio is lower, giving 10 percent faster response to driver input. Spring stiffness has been increased by 30 percent in order to better maintain the C30 T5 R-Design's poise during enthusiastic driving. The mono-tube dampers are stiffer and build up pressure much more quickly. The roll stabilizers are stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when taking corners.

The new sport chassis has made the C30 R-Design a better-balanced and more agile car. Road contact is more distinct and feedback from the wheels is faster and clearer, promoting a more alert feeling while driving.

The most noticeable design change is an all-new body kit featuring a redesigned front and rear. The body kit is monochromatic, giving a visual impression that the car has been lowered by much more than the actual 10 mm reduction in ride height. The new C30 R-Design is also equipped with 18-inch "Midir" diamond cut alloy wheels, just like the rest of the R-Design range. The interior is now available with dramatic new black upholstery as an alternative.


Pricing and Options

2011 C30 T5 - $24,600*

2011 C30 T5 R-Design - $26,950*


Preferred Package - $1,800

Power driver seat

Power passenger seat

Keyless drive (R-Design only)

Power glass moonroof
Aluminum Inlay (T5 Only)


Climate Package - $900

Heated front seats

Headlight washers

Interior Air Quality System (IAQS)

Electronic climate control

Rainsensor windshield wipers


Multimedia Package - $2,000

Dynaudio premium sound system with Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound

Navigation system with real-time traffic

2 complimentary map updates


Stand Alone Options

Metallic paint - $550

Premium Electric Silver Metallic Pain (R-Design only) - $675

5-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic - $1,250

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) - $700

SIRIUS satellite radio with complimentary 6-month subscription - $400

Dual Xenon Active Bending Lights (ABL) - $800

Portable navigation system - $750

Leather seating surfaces - $1,200

Exterior styling kit (C30 T5 only) - $1,445

Interior styling kit (C30 T5 only) - $295

The 2010 Volvo Cars model lineup includes the award-winning S40 and its wagon counterpart the V50; the award-winning XC90; the flagship S80 luxury sedan; versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); the stunning C70 retractable hardtop convertible; the dynamic C30 and the new XC60 with standard City Safety.

*prices do not include destination charges of $850