At the Frankfurt auto show, Volvo unveiled its next generation C70 convertible, which will soon go on sale in the U.S. as a 2006 model. Here’s hoping it’s more of a success than the first-generation Volvo convertible.
It’s not that the old C70 was a bad car. It had swoopy looks – for a Volvo – and its cloth top was snug enough to withstand a Nordic winter.
But it was underpowered, heavy and expensive, at prices upward of $40K.
This new C70 takes convertible technology to a new level. There’s a three-piece retractable hardtop that disappears into the trunk, which hopefully will have enough room for two adults – something that was sort of scarce in the old model.
Always looking for safety innovations, Volvo used the presence of a hardtop to incorporate an inflatable side safety curtain.
Under the hood is a standard turbocharged five-cylinder engine that is rated at 218 horsepower. That’s 21 more horsepower than the standard engine in the previous model. What’s unclear is whether there will be an optional engine when production starts on this new version. In the old model, the more powerful engine made 242 horsepower. If an optional engine is destined for the new C70, it seems likely that it too would have at least 20 more horsepower.
No price was announced at Frankfurt, but it’s reasonable that it will take more than $40,000 to get one.
