Driving Dynamics

Five-cylinder engines make a deal of sense, being as responsive as a 'four' yet almost as smooth as a 'six', although the smoothness bit is less apparent with an oil burner. Once warmed up, though, the D5 is a pleasant enough diesel, delivering brisk performance in concert with the smooth-shifting six-speed Geartronic transmission, which also has Sport mode and manual override.

Having originally thought the steering over-weighted, a few miles later it seemed to feel quicker and more responsive. Speed-dependent assistance is available as standard or an option, depending on model, with a user-selection facility.

Cabin Comfort

You wouldn't accuse the XC60's interior of being overdone. It is fresh, modem, stylish and, above all, simple. The all-anthracite lower-half trim of our test example might seem dull and oppressive in some cars, but with little more to lift it than white contrast stitching and tastefully applied bright moldings, the Volvo manages an air of smart practicality. You'd expect nothing less from Swedish design.

The focal point is without doubt Volvo's now well known 'floating' center console, in this instance having a bright metallic finish. It presents an array of logically-arranged and clearly-marked controls - the human-shaped air-distribution graphic being a particular case in point - which become almost intuitive at first glance. Above this and the CD slot resides the clear sat-nav screen, slightly inset to reduce reflections in the window glass, and located on the same plane as the instruments where a quick glance enables immediate visual clarity without refocusing.

The Volvo S40

Just like the Volvo S40, this 2007 Volvo C30 also comes using the Volvo transmission mount to provide an even better ride and performance. And when you do take a look at the vehicle's interior, you would notice that the dashboard is simply very much like that of the Volvo S40. The center console of the vehicle has been made to be quite slim and it comes to show off a design that shows of minimalism.

This new vehicle for the youth market comes with the trademark Volvo grille and there is certainly no mistaking that. Despite the fact that it looks similarly like the 1973 sports car model, this vehicle also does have some attributes like the current Volvo S40. But the similarities are only starting here.

The Volvo P1800

The Volvo P1800 made its very first public debut in January of 1960 at Brussels Salon. It showed up as a very attractive sports car that held small fins on the rear fenders. This vehicle held many components shared with other Volvo vehicles like the Volvo 120 series sedan. It held shared parts like its running gear, the 1780 cc overhead valve engine with four cylinders, and most components of its suspension. The suspension of the Volvo P1800 was A-arms with coil springs found at its front and a very solid axle with coils installed at the rear.

It was during the last month of 1957 when Helmer Petterson first drove the first hand-built P1800 prototype which was the P958 X1. He then had some engineers look at the prototype and it was agreed that the manufacturing and crafting of this vehicle could start soon and the company would be able to send them off rolling to the streets come the following year. However, Volkswagen the company came into the picture and restricted the engineers and firms who would be crafting the Volvo P1800. It was for the very reason that the company was afraid that it would seriously hurt the sales of their very own line of automobiles. However, as luck would have it, the company was able to locate a good firm that would have the capacity to build Volvo's second sports car.

The Very Frst Sports

The person who was behind the project on the Volvo P1800 was Helmer Petterson. Petterson was an engineering consultant in the company and he was also responsible for the Volvo PV 444. The actual design aspect of the Volvo P1800 was crafted by Petterson's son, Pelle Petterson. The company that Pelle Petterson worked for was also the company who built the very first prototypes of the Volvo P1800. Of course, the prototypes were named differently. The first three prototypes held the designations P958 X1, P958 X2, and P958 X3.

The very first sports car that Volvo had produced was the Volvo P1900. It was considered to be an automobile tragedy for it did not do well. In fact, it was only able to sell a skimpy sixty eight units. Despite the downfall of Volvo's first attempt at producing and manufacturing a sports car, the company still has taken a great leap so as to design and craft another sports vehicle. And this was the very reason for the Volvo P1800. This vehicle started as a project in the year 1957.