Volvo C70 Cabrio: open skies for four (retrospection)

What Bulgaria wrote 20 years ag piese auto online.

Volvo C70 Cabrio: open skies for four (retrospection)

Volvo claims that their C70 is the first truly elegant four-seater convertible with a hardtop, and they may be right – imagine current hardtop convertibles, whose unsightly and bulky appearance at the rear is anything but elegant…

In this regard, classic models with soft folding tops are infinitely more slender and refined, but they are not in tune with the latest fashion trends. The modern person seeks versatility and it was normal to expect that after the first wave of two-seater coupe-cabriolets, a second one followed – that of four-seater cars with a hard folding “hat”. This made the task for designers and constructors even more complicated – recall the strange proportions of the Peugeot 307 CC and Renault Megane CC and you will get an idea of what we are talking about… However, progress in this area does not stop and the proof can be seen in the face of the new Volvo model. It turns out that using new design solutions, truly beautiful shapes can be achieved – the C70 Cabriolet caresses the eye with its extremely elegant silhouette, no disproportionate volumes are noticeable in the rear, and the side line rises extremely smoothly and elegantly. Added to this is the attractive arch of the roofline, in no way inferior to that of classic closed sports coupes.

To achieve this elegant look, the designers of the Swedish subsidiary of the giant Ford developed a traditional two-door coupe-body with a fixed roof and only after they were satisfied with the result did they proceed to transform it into a coupe-cabriolet with a folding roof. The already mentioned innovative construction scheme also contributed to the achievement of a body with refined proportions. The C70 is the first model of its kind on the market, the roof of which consists of three separate panels (the roofs of the Peugeot 307 CC and Renault Megane CC are divided into two), which allow more flexibility when folding and take up less volume in the rear of the body. According to its creators, the interior of the Volvo C70 will offer enough space for four adults and their luggage - the exact dimensions of the new model are still kept secret, but the C70 will probably not be inferior in size to its predecessor (4.72 m) with a soft roof. Similar dimensions are also implied by the technological platform used by the Swedish coupe-cabriolet – it is identical to that of the Volvo S40/V50, Ford Focus and Mazda 3 and offers twice the torsional rigidity of the structure of the previous model. It is on this increased stability that the expectation of achieving more dynamic and active road behavior of the new model is built.

There is also an innovation in the crown discipline of the Swedes – safety. Especially for the C70, the company’s engineers have developed a side airbag built into the doors to protect the head and shoulders. The airbag deploys vertically and features a more stable structure that retains air longer than usual, providing protection in the event of a rollover.

The new model will appear on the market early next year with a range of three five-cylinder units with 140, 170 and 220 (Turbo) hp. Its direct competitors are not to be underestimated – the Audi A4 Cabriolet, BMW 3 Cabriolet and Mercedes CLK Cabriolet, – but the Swede has two very strong goats: the hard folding roof and the name of the Italians from Pininfarina, who helped with the development and made a significant contribution to the wonderful end result.

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Volvo claims that their C70 is the first truly elegant four-seater convertible with a hardtop, and they may be right – imagine current hardtop convertibles, whose unsightly and bulky appearance at the rear is anything but elegant…

In this regard, classic models with soft folding tops are infinitely more slender and refined, but they are not in tune with the latest fashion trends