When the second generation Volvo C70 was first introduced back in 2005, it broke new ground as the first convertbile to come with extra stiff door-mounted inflatable side curtains. Now the C70 Convertible has had a fairly major cosmetic update for 2010. The restyled front end includes a new honeycomb grille, new headlights, more prominent Volvo badge and sculpted bonnet. Inside there's a new aluminium centre stack, and the seats look nice in colour-contrast leather but there's a lot of dark grey plastic on the dash that lets the side down a bit. The C70 retails from £26,995 and boasts a range of petrol and diesel engines, with D5 and T5 engines are the headline acts. The C70 boasts a folding metal roof and drops the 1.6-litre engines as entry-level powertrains from the C30 line-up. The C70 has also benefited from its facelift, presenting a rather formless and generic shape before. It gains the same attitude as the C30, and now looks pretty sharp - and sufficiently different from the rest of the Volvo range. I had a go with the 178bhp 2.4-litre D5 engine, which will provide enough grunt for most and cruises happily while returning decent mileage at 42.8mpg It's a bit gruff at lower revs, although the C70 is well sound-proofed - you may not actually know you were in a convertible as a passenger. There's also an entry-level 134bhp 2.0-litre diesel, while there's a 168bhp 2.4-litre petrol and the 227bhp T5 petrol range-topper for a hefty £34,695. Few CCs are balls of fire with the turn-in ability of a Lotus - because of the extra weight and lack of stiffness, and the C70 is no different. However, the C70 is agile enough for a metal-roof drop-top, and it was untroubled by the icy conditions, though it was fitted with winter tyres. It makes more sense as a languid cruiser and it's a comfortable place to be. Interior space is impressive for a CC, which often features rear seats as an after-thought, and there's decent boot space all things considered. I don't really buy the C70 as a lifestyle choice purchase, as a statement of individuality. The C30 is pretty unique in the market, the C70 is pretty similar to a lot of other folding-roof convertibles on the market. Having said that, it does most things well. It looks decent, drives as well as you'd imagine and is a comfortable place to be. Match the right engine to the right specification and, again, it's an attractive all-round proposition, assuming you agree with Volvo's pricing that pitches the C70 well above the likes of the Ford Focus CC but below the likes of the BMW 3 Series Convertible. Volvo C70 MILESTONES Volvo C70 178bhp 2.4-litre D5 SE Price: £31,000 Transmission: Six-speed manual Top speed: 140mph 0-62mph: 9 seconds Fuel economy: 42.8mpg CO2: 174 g/km
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