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Suspension will be inspired by the Swedish firm's newly unveiled Four-C system, which combines active shock absorption with four-wheel-drive transmission and traction control. Applied to models such as the S60R, this set-up not only provides greater stability, but delivers masses of grip, too.
The arrangement also offers more refinement than four-wheel-drive machines such as the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Evolution VIII without sacrificing driveability. And there's no reason to assume the system would affect the C50R any differently. The firm's long-term aim is to tempt buyers out of premium German models, and the BMW M3 is seen as a principal rival.
The C50, along with other models on the V50/Focus platform, will also get two new engines shortly after it is launched - a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel. But it's not only the 3-Series Coup� that Volvo has in its sights. BMW's Convertible will also be under threat in 2005, when the C50 goes topless and completes the Swedish company's new line-up.
With a fully electrically operated roof and a luxurious interior, the emphasis will shift from performance to comfort to rival that of the Audi A4 Cabrio. So is Volvo right to be looking into the past when considering future sporting models? There's no denying the class of its Sixties design, or its enthusiasm when it comes to resurrecting retro style. After all, Volvo has a rich design heritage, and the P1800 was a high point.
This sports coup� draws on fine-looking Volvos of the past, but adds a modern twist. The new model will have the original easily beaten in the CO2 emissions race but, with a green eye on the future, the firm's engineers have indicated that the C50 will also be available as a hybrid. That means a conventional petrol engine will be supplemented by batteries that recharge themselves when the car is on the move. An exact on-sale date for the new coup� has yet to be confirmed, but an announcement is likely next spring. |
