Background to the Volvo C70
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Source: Volvo Car Corporation.
Volvo C70, model year 2008 - brief summary
C70 Coupé
Through the years, Volvo have offered exclusive coupé cars to discerning customers who want to combine exclusivity with comfort, safety, high performance and good roadholding characteristics. The P1800, the 262C and the 780 deserve mention as predecessors to the C70 Coupé
When Volvo started the design of the C70 Coupé the development work was carried out jointly by Volvo and Britain’s TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing), to make sure that beautiful looks were combined with performance levels until then unheard of in connection with a Volvo car.
The new C70 Coupé was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, and brought enthusiastic reports from both journalists and prospective customers.
The C70 Coupé offers maximum performance (with top speeds of up to 250 km/h) together with first-class roadholding and the comfort of perfect ergonomics in connection with exclusive interior materials like real leather and genuine wood, and audio equipment of the first order
The Volvo C70 Coupé was produced until 2002.
Model: C70 Coupé
Produced: 1996
Volume: 24395
Body: 2-door coupé
Engine: 5-cylinder in-line DOHC 1,984 2,435 cc.
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4- or 5-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes all round
Dimensions: Wheelbase 266 cm
C70 Convertible/Cabriolet/
The story of Volvo convertibles is as old as the Volvo car itself. In 1927, the first Volvo car was an open car, the ÖV4. During the 1930’s a number of convertibles was built on different Volvo chassis by independent specialist coachbuilders. In 1956 – 57, the famous Volvo Sport (P1900) was produced in a very limited number of 67 specimens, of which most have been preserved to this day.
Many were surprised when the C70 Convertible was presented in 1997, as this was by far the most exclusive and expensive car with a Volvo badge until then.
However, the C70 Convertible was far from being just beautiful. First and foremost it was an exciting ’drivers car‘ with almost the same roadholding characteristics as the C70 Coupé, and with top speed and acceleration far beyond the figures obtained by most so called ’sports cars‘.
Volvo had long hesitated to make an open car for safety reasons. But, thanks to the Volvo ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) innovation, safety was integrated even if the open car should turn upside down, thanks to an automatic roll-over-bar which was activated in the event of an accident
Volvo C70 Convertible was first and foremost intended for the North American market, but the open Volvo soon became popular in several other markets with a climate favouring open cars (the C70 is of course also sold in cold countries like Sweden, but in smaller numbers).
The C70 Convertible combines its beautiful looks and high performance with superior comfort, thanks to an ergonomic interior, top-class audio equipment and a soft top offering the same insulation (or better) than a conventional steel roof.
Production of Volvo C70 takes place at the Uddevalla plant in limited numbers.
Model: Volvo C70 Cabriolet/Convertible
Produced: 1997 -
Volume: Production running
Body: 2-door convertible
Engine: 5-cyl in-line DOHC, 1.984, 2319, 2.435
Transmission: 5-speed, 5-speed automati
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes all round
Dimensions: Overall length 472 cm, wheelbase 266 cm
C70 Convertible
Launch
The all new Volvo C70 is the second-generation convertible from Volvo Cars. It was launched at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2005. The aim was to create two cars in one – without compromising on either. A three-piece retractable hardtop transforms the Volvo C70 from coupe to convertible at the touch of a button.
The all new Volvo C70 has been developed in close cooperation with Pininfarina of Italy.
Design
Two-door convertible/coupe with space for four adults.
The all new Volvo C70 is short and low but relatively wide. Its proportions and design were chosen to give the car a powerful profile. In order to ensure harmonious lines both with and without the roof, Volvo’s designers decided to first draw the all new Volvo C70 as a coupe. Only after they were satisfied with the result did they make the necessary adjustments to create a convertible out of the finished design.
The car’s haunches flow to the rear, giving a dynamic stance and reinforcing the sensation of a protective collar around the rear seat passengers. The upward sweep is balanced visually by the wave-shaped sill line. The tail section has an abrupt cut-off. The tail lamps echo the design language of Volvo’s sedan models, but with a slimmer profile to emphasise the C heritage.
The interior is inspired by Scandinavian product design with the emphasis on uncluttered surfaces, honest materials and good function. The C70 also has features such as Volvo’s ultra-slim, visually free-floating centre console, a specially developed upholstery material (Vulcaflex) and interior space that is remarkably generous for this type of car. The all new Volvo C70 is designed for four adults. The rear has two pronounced, deeply contoured seats. The retractable hardtop is raised and lowered in about thirty seconds with the help of an electric motor and hydraulics. When lowered, it is fully concealed in the luggage compartment. Thanks to a special load assistance function, the remaining space can nonetheless be utilised very effectively for luggage.
Safety
Volvo Cars adopts a holistic view of safety that encompasses both Preventive and Protective safety.
Preventive safety is closely linked to the car’s driving properties. The all new Volvo C70 is twice as torsionally rigid as the previous C70 model, thanks to an advanced and reinforced body structure. Combined with a sturdy chassis, torsional rigidity helps give the car consistent, predictable behaviour on the road (see also under "Powertrain and Chassis").
Volvo Cars has developed various information systems designed to help the driver while on the move. One such system is IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System) which for instance delays incoming phone calls in complex traffic situations that require the driver’s undivided attention.
Protective safety in the all new Volvo C70 is structured around a network consisting of exterior and interior safety systems that interact with one another to reduce the risk of occupant injury in a collision. The exterior systems have the task of distributing and absorbing incoming collision forces so that the passenger compartment remains as intact and undamaged as possible. The body is therefore built in the form of a metal cage made of different grades of steel, where all the components interact with one another to ensure controlled deformation. Since the all new Volvo C70 does not have a fixed roof, the body has been reinforced in a variety of ways to allow the rest of the car’s structure to absorb a greater proportion of the impact energy.
When a car rolls over, its windscreen frame is subjected to immense force. In the all new Volvo C70, the windscreen pillars are made using hydroforming technology, whereby it is possible to make each pillar in one single piece but with varying thickness and high strength along its entire length. Even the ROPS bars – the metal hoops that come up behind the rear passengers in the event of a roll-over scenario – are particularly sturdily dimensioned and are activated exceptionally quickly.
The interior safety systems aim to keep the passengers securely in place and also to reduce the risk of serious injury. In order to provide the most effective protection possible, Volvo Cars has developed a number of in-house systems, such as WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) and IC (Inflatable Curtain). All are fitted as standard in the all new Volvo C70.
The inflatable curtain has been tailored for the convertible and is installed in the door. It deploys upwards. In order to further boost protection in the event of a roll-over scenario, the curtain deflates slowly. Every seat is equipped with a three-point seat belt, belt pre-tensioner and head restraint. The highest possible safety requires that all the car’s occupants alwa
The engines in the all new Volvo C70 are five-cylinder, transversely installed in-line units. A five-cylinder engine gives low vibration and smooth operation. Together with large displacement, the five-cylinder configuration provides high torque across a broad rev band, and thus also swift acceleration and excellent driveability within a wide speed range. The Volvo C70 T5 is the top model and it features a turbocharged engine mated to either a five-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual gearbox.
The chassis, with spring struts at the front and Multilink axle at the rear, is set up for stable, reassuring driving manners and alert steering response. The Multilink rear axle is an independent rear suspension system featuring a number of links and it is designed to offer a good combination of controlled wheel movements and high ride comfort. Some of these links have the task of providing a certain degree of anti-skid steering effect. A long wheelbase and wide track, together with a very torsionally rigid body, contribute to the predictable, controlled driving manners. What is more, chassis height has been substantially lowered front and rear to further benefit directional stability
Volvo’s advanced DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) stability-enhancing system is fitted as standard. DSTC cuts in and helps stabilise the car if it registers any tendency to skid.
The environment
The all new Volvo C70 is designed and equipped to impact as little as possible on the global environment and to offer a clean and healthy interior climate.
Petrol engines with low internal friction, efficient combustion and advanced exhaust filtration technology result in low emissions. The engines in the Volvo C70 can be optionally specified with a catalytic radiator coating known as PremAir®. This system converts harmful ground-level ozone into pure oxygen as the car drives. Its benefits are greatest in dense city traffic and in strong sunlight.
Volvo’s IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) effectively reduces the amount of particles, pollen, gases and certain unpleasant odours in the air entering the cabin. All the textiles and leather upholsteries are certified according to ÖKO-TEX 100, an international standard that ensures that the interior trim is free from allergy-producing and hazardous substances.
Production
The all new Volvo C70 is made by Pininfarina Sverige AB at the factory in Uddevalla, Sweden. The company is jointly owned by Pininfarina (60%) and the Volvo Car Corporation (40%).
Technical specifications
Drive Front-wheel drive.
Chassis Front suspension with MacPherson spring struts. Independent
Multilink rear axle. Chassis height has been substantially lowered front and
rear to further benefit directional stability.
DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) is standard.
Dimensions mm:
Length 4582
Width 1820
Height 1400
Track, front/rear 1550/1560
Wheelbase 2640
Aerodynamic coefficient, Cd 0.31
Frontal area m2 2.13-2.15
Engines Petrol
Configuration Displacement cc Power kW/hp Torque Nm
T5 I5 2521 162/220 320
2.4i I5 2435 125/170 230
2.4 I5 2435 103/140 220
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