• A second-generation convertible from Volvo Cars
• Electrically-operated, three-piece retractable hardtop
• Youthful, technology-inspired interior
• Space and comfort for four adults

The all new Volvo C70 is a modern convertible with classic proportions, four comfortable seats and a retractable hardtop in three sections.

“We wanted to create two cars in one +óGé¼GÇ£ without compromising," says project manager Patrik Widerstrand. "We have succeeded in creating a car that is both an elegant convertible and a sporty coupe."

The new C70 can be transformed smoothly from a coupe into a convertible. The retractable hardtop folds and tucks into the boot quickly and smoothly.

“One press of a button and the transformation takes place automatically and the whole process takes just 30 seconds," says Fedde Talsma, head of design for the all new Volvo C70.

Apart from the flexibility offered by the retractable hardtop it also makes for a quieter, more comfortable coupe. The normal-sized rear window, made of real glass, offers good visibility to the rear and extra rigidity for the body.

Rounded shapes and a powerful profile
The new C70 is slightly shorter and lower than its predecessor but just as wide. In combination with a slightly shorter nose section, the new C70 has a powerful profile. The corners, in true modern Volvo style, are gently rounded.

The shoulder line swings up towards the rear to give an impression of dynamism and reinforces the feeling of a protective collar around those travelling in the back. The slope is balanced visually by the wave-shaped sill line.

“Achieving harmonious lines with and without a roof is not an easy task," says Talsma. "We opted to first design the new C70 as a coupe. Once we were satisfied with the result we made the necessary convertible adaptations. In our experience this is the best approach."

The rear section is cut away sharply and has the characteristic Volvo taillights. The C70's taillights have a lower profile than those on the sedan models to highlight the 'C factor'.

Interior with a Scandinavian feel
The C70's interior is marked by Volvo's modern, innovative design features, inspired by Scandinavian tradition with clean surfaces, genuine materials and good function.

“We have chosen to give the C70 a youthful, technology-inspired feel," says Talsma. "Inspiration has been drawn more from Scandinavian product design than pure car design."

The super-thin, apparently floating centre 'stack', introduced in the compact S40 sedan and V50 wagon has also been included in the new C70. The decor panel can be varied according to the customer's wishes with four different appearances: aluminium, wood effect, ivory tan and bauxite.

Special upholstery has been developed for the C70 called Vulcaflex. It is a synthetic material with a skin-like surface structure and a high-tech feel. Vulcaflex is used in combination with textile and with soft leather. Full leather upholstery is a third option.

Good comfort for four adults
The C70 is designed to accommodate four adults. The two rear seats have comfortably angled backrests and generous space to the side. The front seats are ergonomically shaped. With a practical control on the backrest they can be moved forwards easily to facilitate entry to the rear seat. The electrically operated seats (option) move forward twice as quickly as in the previous C70 model. Legroom in the front seat is very generous.

Flexible, carefully considered design
In the passenger compartment there are spacious storage areas beside each seat. Several of them are linked to the car's central locking system for convenient locking using the remote control. In addition, a completely new system is being launched +óGé¼GÇ£ Private Locking +óGé¼GÇ£ whereby certain areas can be locked with the key from the glove compartment. Private Locking is particularly useful in a convertible parked with the roof down.

The boot is unusually spacious for a convertible of this size. It has a 400-litre capacity with the steel top up and 200 litres with the top folded down. A practical boot divider makes it easy to assess how much can be loaded with the top down. To facilitate loading and unloading when the top is down, the whole three-piece package is lifted approximately 200mm with the aid of an electric motor and a control button.

A 'ski hatch' in the backrest of the rear seat also makes it possible to transport long objects inside the car.

“We really have tried to make use of every centimetre in the car to enhance passenger comfort," says Talsma. "Despite the compact dimensions of the C70 there is ample space and room for personal effects."

Facts about the C70 retractable hardtop

• Panels made of steel
• Divided into three sections
• The joints between the sections have rubber seals
• An electric motor, hydraulic pump and computer operate and control the opening and closing action
• From opened to closed in approximately 30 seconds (regardless of the weather)
• The car should be at a standstill when the top is opened/closed
• The side windows fit into the steel top after it has been raised
• The rigidity of the body is improved by around 15 percent when steel top is up
• The boot lid is made of aluminium and opens in two different ways, for operation of the top or for access to the luggage compartment.

The all new Volvo C70 +óGé¼GÇ£ dimensions (compared with previous C70 convertible)

The all new Volvo C70 +óGé¼GÇ£ Sporty, stable and comfortable

• Multi-dimensional driving experience
• Stable, compliant chassis control for sporty driving and comfortable ride
• Reinforced body structure with improved rigidity
• Five-cylinder engines producing impressive torque
• High-performance turbocharged T5 model

The new Volvo C70 is two cars in one +óGé¼GÇ£ and not just visually. The driving experience is also multi-dimensional.

Volvo's new convertible is designed to offer a lively driving experience without sacrificing comfort. It shares its basic technology with other Volvo models, including front-wheel drive and an extremely stable, compliant chassis. The C70 employs a coil-over strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension.

The individual wheel suspension with a number of links is designed to provide a combination of comfortable suspension and fast, exact steering response. A broad track and a long wheelbase give the C70 stability. The chassis height has been lowered by 10mm at the front and 15mm at the rear (compared with a standard chassis), which further improves C70's on-road stability and positive driving characteristics.

DSTC (Dynamic Stability & Traction Control system) is standard and offers extra stability when driving on a slippery road surface.

The steering is electro-hydraulic with a light, distinct, controlled feeling.

Body with very high rigidity
The new C70 has Volvo's modern, advanced front structure while the side members, doors and sills have been reinforced in various ways to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof. The body structure, in the form of an ingeniously designed member system, not only contributes to the high level of safety in the car, it also gives the body very high torsional rigidity +óGé¼GÇ£ twice as high as the earlier C70 model.

“A rigid body is important for the car's driving characteristics," says project manager Patrik Widerstrand. "It makes the car stable and easier to control, thus enhancing driving pleasure."

Five-cylinder, transverse engines
The new Volvo C70 is being launched with a choice of two petrol engines in Australia. They are extremely compact in-line engines and, in accordance with Volvo's engine concept, are mounted transversely. The compact format in combination with the transverse mounting contributes to excellent crash safety by creating a generous crumple zone in the engine compartment.

Both petrol engines are five-cylinder units. The base engine is Volvo's naturally aspirated, 2.4-litre inline five producing 125kW. The five cylinders, large displacement and long stroke ensure high torque output even at low engine speeds +óGé¼GÇ£ and rapid acceleration. The five-cylinder, long-stroke engine also has an agreeable nature with a low vibration level and gentle running.

The 2.4-litre engine features four-valve technology with double overhead camshafts that contribute to the high power output and rapid response. The variable camshaft control (CVVT) offers high output and high torque in combination with reduced petrol consumption and reduced emissions.

Volvo C70 T5 +óGé¼GÇ£ with power and temperament
Then there is the exciting C70 T5. With a T5 engine, driving pleasure takes on another dimension. A 2.5-litre petrol engine with a light-pressure turbo charger, it offers maximum power output of 162kW and 320Nm of torque. High, evenly spread torque from low to high engine speeds makes the car highly responsive and offers excellent acceleration.

The T5 engine is extremely energy efficient. As the manifold and turbo unit have been cast as one in high-alloy steel which is extremely resistant to heat (emission temperatures are permitted to reach 1,050+é-¦C), the need for cooling using petrol has been minimised. The engine can therefore be run on a leaner air/fuel mix with lower fuel consumption and emissions as a result, particularly when driving at high speed or with a heavy load.

The T5 engine is fitted with a five-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox originally developed for the Volvo S60 R and V70 R. The gearing spread of the six-speed gearbox is calculated to combine rapid acceleration with a high top speed. The gearbox has triple synchronisation and a very distinct, positive gear change.

“The all new Volvo C70 has a great deal of temperament, particularly the T5 model," says Widerstrand. "But for Volvo temperament is never the same as unpredictability."

The driving pleasure is to be found in the harmonious interplay between the responsive driveline and the compliant chassis.

The wide choice of aluminium wheels and low-profile tyres enhances both the appearance and the driving experience. The C70 can be equipped with:

• 7.5x16-inch aluminium wheels with 215/55 tyres
• Choice of two 7.5x17-inch aluminium wheel designs (one polished) with 215/50 or 235/45 tyres
• Choice of two 8.0x18-inch aluminium wheel designs with 235/40 tyres

Engine range (at launch in Australia)

Later during 2006, a 2.4-litre, five-cylinder diesel engine, producing 132kW will be available in Europe.

The C70 Convertible with Unique Safety Features

• Volvo's Unique Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) interacts with world-first door-mounted inflatable curtain for enhanced side impact and roll-over protection
• Hydro-formed A-pillars in Extra High Strength Steel, in combination with ROPS bars, seat belt pretensioners and door-mounted inflatable curtains, provide more effective roll-over protection
• Body structure developed further with reinforced sides to effectively channel the forces backwards in a frontal impact
• Volvo's Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) is standard in the all new Volvo C70
• Rigid body and stable chassis make the car easy to control even in unexpected situations
• IDIS +óGé¼GÇ£ advanced information system to support the driver
• Security with a steel roof and Private Locking

The all-new Volvo C70 has been developed to be one of the very safest convertibles on the market, both when it comes to preventive safety and protective safety.

The C70 has a body structure that offers a range of safety solutions unique to an open-top car. The lack of a fixed roof has been compensated for with reinforcements and sophisticated technology.

When Volvo launched the first-generation C70 in 1996, the aim even then was for it to be one of the very safest convertibles on the market. Volvo Cars decided that the second-generation Volvo C70 would be even safer in every area.

“It is a major challenge but today we know considerably more about safety in convertibles," says Ingrid Skogsmo, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. "We know the type of accident a convertible is exposed to and how protection should be built up. And it is not just a question of protective safety. It is equally important to prevent accidents as a convertible is at times driven a little more actively."

The all-new Volvo C70 has an extensive system of safety solutions that contribute to safer driving, the majority of which are standard. If, despite all this, an accident should occur a series of protection systems come into play.

Different thinking behind advanced side impact and rollover protection
“Our aim was that the all new Volvo C70 should have the same effective side impact protection as the Volvo sedan models," says Ingrid Skogsmo. "But as the car does not have a fixed roof we were compelled to find alternative solutions."

To provide optimum protection in a side impact, Volvo's Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) has been further developed.

In a side collision, the B-pillar is exposed to considerable force. In a sedan model the force is spread up into the roof structure. In a convertible this is not possible as the pillars end at the car's shoulders. Side impact protection must therefore be built up in a somewhat different way. The forces need to be channelled forwards, backwards and downwards into the body structure, where an integrated system of members and reinforcements interact to keep the passenger compartment as intact as possible.

The B-pillars have extra reinforcements and are linked to each other through a powerful, transverse floor member. In total, there are five transverse members or walls placed along the length of the car. A flexible deformation box between each B-pillar and the transverse member also helps to absorb the collision forces.

The sills have been given a much more powerful profile than in the Volvo sedan models and, being laser-welded, they offer additional strength. They have also been raised behind the B-pillars to offer even better protection, even if the other vehicle happens to be bigger, such as an SUV.

The doors play an important role in side impact protection. They have a diagonally mounted steel profile, which helps prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment. The doors are also designed to hook onto the B-pillars and remain closed when they are subjected to collision forces. The forces can thus be distributed effectively, both forwards and backwards, into the body structure. The transverse members in front of the passenger compartment and a horseshoe-shaped member behind the rear seat channel the forces to the opposite side of the body, thus reducing the risk of intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Interplay with the unique, door-mounted inflatable curtain and pretensioners in all seats
An important part of the side impact and rollover protection is the inflatable curtain, IC. In the all new Volvo C70 it has been given a unique design.

“As there are no roof members to which the curtain can be attached it is mounted in the door," says Ingrid Skogsmo. "When activated it is directed upwards."

The curtain has an extra stiff construction with double rows of slats that are slightly displaced in relation to each other. This allows them to remain upright and offer effective head protection even with the window open. The curtain also deflates slowly to provide protection should the car roll over. This is a unique solution in the automotive world.

In addition to the inflatable curtain, the passengers in the front seat have side impact airbags, the size of which is adapted to cover both the chest and hip areas.

The inflatable curtain interacts with the seat belt pretensioners to help provide maximum protection for the front seat occupants in a side impact or a rollover accident. All four seats are equipped with pretensioners.

Hydro-formed A-pillars in Extra High Strength Steel
The all new Volvo C70 has very stable roadholding, due largely to a dynamic, compliant chassis and a very rigid body. The risk of the car rolling over is therefore limited but cannot be ignored. As the car does not have a permanent roof with A, B and C pillars the demands on the windscreen pillars, the so-called A-pillars, are particularly high.

“The A-pillars on the new C70 are designed to withstand very high forces if, despite everything, the car were to roll over," says Ingrid Skogsmo.

Behind the strength are the material +óGé¼GÇ£ Extra High Strength Steel +óGé¼GÇ£ and an advanced production method +óGé¼GÇ£ hydro-forming. In principle, this method means that a tube is shaped on the inside with the aid of water under very high pressure and at the same time the outside is worked on with a number of rotating hammers. A hydro-formed profile can be designed in one piece with varying shape and thickness. The A-pillars in the all new Volvo C70 can therefore be shaped optimally without joints or sharp angles. They also run all the way down to the body sills.

ROPS bars further developed
As with its predecessor, the all new Volvo C70 has powerful metal bars that come up behind the passengers in the rear seat to provide extra protection should the car roll over. The bars, which are part of the Rollover Protection System (ROPS) have been developed further in several areas. They have been made stronger and are activated with the aid of a pyrotechnic charge, which means that they come into effect much more quickly than previously. As the all new Volvo C70 has a rear window made of real glass the bars are pushed up through the screen if the roof is up. They have therefore been fitted with small, hard metal spikes, to break the glass.

Patented front structure to provide controlled deformation
The all new Volvo C70 has been developed with the aim of achieving the same high level of safety as a sedan model of the same size. The front structure is divided into zones, each with a different task during deformation. The outer zones account for most of the deformation. The more the collision forces approach the passenger compartment, the less the material is deformed. To ensure that each zone has the right characteristics, the quality of the steel has been varied. Four different types of steel are used. Apart from normal body steel, three different grades of high-strength steel are used: High Strength Steel, Extra High Strength Steel and Ultra High Strength Steel.

What distinguishes the convertible from a sedan model is that the collision forces cannot be channelled upwards in the body structure.

“The lack of a fixed roof means that the forces must instead be channelled along the sides of the body in a frontal collision or an offset collision," says Ingrid Skogsmo.

This means greater demands on the doors, which have been reinforced with a powerful, longitudinal aluminium member along the upper edge. The aim is that it should help keep the passenger compartment intact by channelling the forces backwards in the body structure. At the bottom, the forces are channelled backwards via the sturdy body sills.

Compact engines and effective packing technique
The engines also contribute to protective safety in the all new Volvo C70 thanks to a compact construction method and an efficient packing technique in the engine compartment. As the engines are mounted transversely, the compact dimensions offer a generous amount of space between the engine and the passenger compartment. In the event of a collision, the engine can be moved 150 mm backwards before the crankshaft comes into contact with the transverse beam beside the cowl.

The steering column can be deformed up to 140 mm. In the event of deformation it is moved horizontally so that the airbag can assume the most effective position for protection in this particular car model.

In a frontal collision the deformation zones interact with the interior restraint system, with dual stage airbags, seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, to help protect the occupants in the most effective way.

Protection for other road users
The rounded shape of the body and the flat surfaces help reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians, cyclists and other road-users in the event of an accident. The front also has a soft, energy-absorbing structure ahead of the bumper to counteract the risk of leg injuries. The bonnet and front wings are designed to absorb energy and contribute to reducing the risk of injury.

Rear-end collision
The all new Volvo C70 is designed to provide effective protection in the event of a rear-end collision.

The rear longitudinal members are deformed in a controlled way. They are linked to the body sills to distribute the collision forces forwards in the body structure. Upwards, the horseshoe-shaped member behind the rear seat and a double metal wall behind the backrest contribute to reducing the risk of intrusion into the passenger compartment. If the roof is down, it works together with the double wall to absorb the collision forces.

The ROPS bars are also pushed upwards in the event of a rear-end collision. The aim is to reduce the risk of the passengers being hit by flying objects from the car behind.

The Volvo system for avoiding neck injuries +óGé¼GÇ£ WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) +óGé¼GÇ£ is one of the most effective on the market and is also standard in the all new Volvo C70. In the event of a powerful rear-end collision, the backrest and head restraint follow the movements of the seat occupant's body.

Preventive safety
“The all new Volvo C70 is great fun to drive," says Ingrid Skogsmo. "And as driving pleasure goes hand in hand with driving safety at Volvo Cars this also means the car is easy to control, even in unexpected situations. It always behaves consistently and predictably."

The all new Volvo C70 has twice the torsional rigidity of the earlier C70 model thanks to a body structure that has been further developed and reinforced. Rigidity contributes to stability and predictable driving characteristics. The chassis design, with its broad track and long wheelbase, also has a positive effect on driving stability.

• The track at the front is 1550mm (29mm wider than the previous C70 model)
• The track at the rear is 1560mm (39mm wider than the previous C70 model)
• The wheelbase is 2640mm (24mm shorter than the previous C70 model)

The suspension is independent, with MacPherson struts at the front and a Multilink axle at the rear.

The DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) stabilisation system is standard and corrects the car if there is a tendency to skid.

The ABS brakes are extremely effective +óGé¼GÇ£ with electronic braking force distribution to the rear wheels and automatic emergency brake assistance +óGé¼GÇ£ EBA.

IDIS +óGé¼GÇ£ Intelligent Driver Information System
The Intelligent Driver Information System +óGé¼GÇ£ IDIS +óGé¼GÇ£ was introduced in 2003 by Volvo Cars.

IDIS continuously monitors certain functions in the car, such as wheel movement, accelerator pedal movement, indicators and braking. This information is processed and at a certain level of activity, information that is not crucial to safety is held back, such as an incoming telephone call or SMS. This can take place in a situation that IDIS interprets as overtaking or braking.

IDIS is standard on all versions of the all new Volvo C70, regardless of whether the car is equipped with an integrated phone or not.

In the future, IDIS will be part of a more extensive information system that can take into account a whole series of factors in the car. The aim is to reduce driver stress even further and thus facilitate driving.

Secure driving with a steel roof
The retractable hardtop offers the C70 owner a dual experience: the pleasure of driving with the top down and the comfort and security of a well-appointed passenger compartment. The steel roof also helps reduce the risk of a break-in.

The rear screen is made of real glass and is significantly larger than the screen in a traditional convertible. It offers considerably better visibility to the rear and helps increase the car's rigidity when the roof is up.

Security in the all new Volvo C70 also includes the possibility of locking away your possessions. Several of the car's storage areas are linked to the car's central locking system for convenient locking using the remote control. A completely new system +óGé¼GÇ£ Private Locking +óGé¼GÇ£ is also being launched, whereby certain areas can be locked with the key from the glove compartment. Private Locking is particularly useful in a convertible parked with the roof down.

“It is important for us at Volvo Cars that we can offer a high level of safety even in a convertible," says Ingrid Skogsmo. "We have tried to find new ways of solving the special problems that arise with an open car."

Volvo's new C70 fitted with a world-class sound system

• Digital technology offers perfect sound
• The sound is adjusted automatically when the roof is folded down
• Output of 910 W
• Dynaudio+é-« speakers with an international reputation
• Dual subwoofers behind the backrests

When it comes to sound experience, the all-new Volvo C70 is two cars in one. A concert hall or an outdoor arena +óGé¼GÇ£ the sound system has been developed to offer high-class sound reproduction with the top up or down.

Volvo Cars is one of few automotive manufacturers to develop its own sound system and components. It is now about to launch a high-class digital amplifier and, following intensified collaboration with Dynaudio+é-«, a speaker system that is world-class in every respect.

“A car represents one of the most difficult challenges for an audio engineer," says C70 project manager Patrik Widerstrand. The passenger compartment has irregular shapes, a mixture of hard and soft materials and considerable variation in surface structures. In addition, the road surface changes as you are driving. In a convertible the situation is further complicated by the fact that the roof is sometimes up and sometimes down.

In the new C70 model, Volvo Cars has invested in the latest digital technology to control and adapt sound reproduction to the most challenging conditions.

“The aim has been to offer a first-rate sound experience which remains consistent regardless of where or how you drive," says Widerstrand.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology is used to adapt the sound to the design of the passenger compartment and the positioning of the speakers. DSP is also used for the fine adjustment of the tone curve, contributing to the creation of natural sound quality.

With the launch of the C70, Volvo Cars will introduce a digital class D amplifier that is considerably more efficient than its analogue equivalent. A digital amplifier of 130 W, for example, requires less power to operate than an analogue equivalent of 100 W. It can also be made more compact and generates less heat.

Volume and tone adjusted automatically
Thanks to digital technology, the sound can be adapted to the driving situation. Not only the volume but also the tone settings are adjusted automatically in line with the car's speed. The sound is also adjusted automatically when the car's roof is up or down to ensure that the listener gets the same sound experience regardless of ambient conditions.

There is also scope for individual preferences. In the car's personal settings menu it is possible to choose how much the sound should be adjusted according to vehicle speed. There are three levels to choose from: low, medium and high.

Three levels of sound performance
There are three sound system levels available for the C70:
• Performance +óGé¼GÇ£ with a 4x20 W amplifier and four speakers
• High Performance +óGé¼GÇ£ with a 4x40 W amplifier and eight speakers
• Premium Sound +óGé¼GÇ£ with a 5x130 W digital amplifier, Dolby+é-« Pro Logic II Surround and up to 14 speakers, including dual subwoofers (option).

Each subwoofer has an integrated 130 W amplifier. In total, the Premium Sound system with double subwoofers has an output of almost 1 kW.

Dynaudio's logotype on the dashboard
“A sound system of Premium Sound rating is indicated by the Dynaudio+é-« logo on the dashboard," says Widerstrand. "It is a sign that the car is equipped with the very best speakers."

Dynaudio+é-« is one of the world's foremost developers and manufacturers of speaker systems, both for home use and professional studios. The company has received a whole series of awards for its products, which are developed according to extremely strict quality demands.

With the launch of the all-new C70, co-operation between Volvo Cars and Dynaudio+é-« has entered a new, more intense phase. The Premium Sound speakers in the C70 are of extremely high quality for a mass-produced car. In the doors there are well-proportioned three-way speakers. The bass drivers are 8-inch with powerful 3-inch voice coils that can withstand high output.

Even the midrange drivers have powerful voice coils. The tweeters are made of fabric (silk dome tweeter), a Dynaudio+é-« speciality that helps produce a cleaner sound. Each speaker has a passive crossover to produce a harmonious, total sound experience with the best possible bandwidth and dynamics.

Specially developed centre speakers on the dashboard interact with the door speakers to create a natural, homogeneous sound.

The rear side panels have combined bass/midrange drivers. Even these have powerful voice coils and the same type of tweeters as in the front doors.

To achieve even deeper, richer bass tones, the system can be complemented with dual 8-inch subwoofers, mounted in the wall behind the rear backrest. These have separate class D amplifiers, each producing 130 W.

“It is certainly no exaggeration to use the term concert hall quality for the sound reproduction in the new C70," says Widerstrand. "We can offer what is the best sound experience ever in a Volvo regardless of whether the roof is up or down."

Volvo C70 +óGé¼GÇ£ The Volume Equation

• Annual sales target of more than 16,000
• 50 percent of sales in the United States
• Produced in collaboration with Pininfarina
• Built in Uddevalla, Sweden

Volvo Car Corporation is about to introduce the second generation of the Volvo C70 convertible, and the company is highly optimistic of the new model's future.

“It takes a generation to become an established player in the premium segment for open cars. Having built up a considerable body of knowledge and consolidating our credibility even further, we expect to double sales compared with the first generation's best year," says Volvo Car Corporation President Hans-Olov Olsson.

The first generation C70 convertible peaked in 2004 with sales of more than 8000. The annual sales target for the all-new C70 is just more than 16,000.

The new C70 will be marketed worldwide. The largest market is the USA, which is expected to account for 50 percent of retail volume. The UK and Germany are also major convertible markets, and the three countries will together account for around 75 percent of sales volume of the new C70.

The new C70 will make its appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show and sales will commence during the first half of 2006 +óGé¼GÇ£ in Europe +óGé¼GÇ£ followed by a gradual roll-out worldwide.

Two cars in one
Thanks to the retractable hardtop, purchasers of the second generation Volvo C70 can enjoy the car with the top up or down without having to compromise. Volvo is one of the first manufacturers on the market to offer a three-piece steel roof.

“The C70 is also one of the first open cars in the premium segment with both a retractable hardtop and room for four adults. We feel this is an extremely attractive combination and we expect in particular to win over purchasers who face choosing between a convertible and a coupe. Here they have both cars in one. The touch of a button transforms an elegant convertible into an equally elegant coupe," says Hans-Olov Olsson.

Collaboration with Pininfarina Volvo is responsible for the design, while the development and manufacture of the new open model will take place in collaboration with the highly respected Italian company Pininfarina. Volvo employees from design, construction and purchasing have been on site throughout the entire development phase in Turin, Italy.

As with its predecessor, the new Volvo C70 will be built at the plant in Uddevalla, which is now known as Pininfarina Sverige AB.

“We have a very strong team. Pininfarina is an excellent partner with long experience of convertibles. The facility in Uddevalla has also built up its production routines since the first generation C70 was introduced in 1997," says Hans-Olov Olsson.

First pure joint venture
The positive spirit is shared by Pininfarina.

“The joint venture with Volvo Cars is an ideal form of co-operation for Pininfarina since both companies have a passion for design and a wealth of knowledge gained over many years," says the company's president Andrea Pininfarina. "Up to now we have designed and built cars at our own plants, while the Volvo C70 will be the first car to be built by Pininfarina in another country."

“It is also the first time we have entered into what is a pure joint venture with a car manufacturer," concludes Pininfarina.

Contact for more information:
Laurissa Mirabelli
Public Affairs Manager
Volvo Car Australia
(02) 9020 1600
Lmirabel@volvocars.com