Volvo C30 to debut in the US before 2008 model year

Volvo gracefully joins the A3 mania with a worthy competitor hoping to attract younger buyers to its showrooms.

The C30's primary markets will be in Europe, with the largest markets being Italy, the U.K. Germany and Spain. Volvo Cars estimates global sales of the C30 at 65,000 units annually. Pricing and volume expectations for the U.S.-bound C30 have not yet been set.The C30 will represent a new segment entry for Volvo; one that will bring a younger buyer into Volvo retailers. "The Volvo C30 is a very exciting car with emotional appeal. We anticipate that the C30's youthfulness and dynamic design will catch the hearts and minds of people beyond Volvo's traditional customers." commented Anne Bélec, President and CEO of VCNA.

218 horsepower and 8.5-inches shorter than a Volvo S40

Putting 218 horsepower to the front wheels, the new C30 is powered by a turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that produces 236 pound-feet of torque.
Measuring in at just 167 inches in length, the C30 is the smallest member of Volvo’s model range – an impressive 8.5 inches shorter than the Volvo S40 sport sedan while still retaining the 103.9 inch wheel base, which really pushes the wheels towards the end of the car. “A car that exudes muscular maneuverability must live up to the promise of its looks when you are behind the wheel," said C30 project leader Håkan Abrahamsson. "Therefore, the C30 has a chassis that offers sporty driving characteristics, nimble handling and responsive steering.
Right out of the box, audio enthusiasts will appreciate the Volvo C30's standard 160-watt stereo system. And true audiophiles can choose a Premium Sound system that closely matches the acclaimed system offered in the new C70, with a digital 5x130W ICE Power amplifier from Alpine®, Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround, and 10 loudspeakers from Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dynaudio®. Total output for the Premium Sound System is an astonishing 650 watts. Simply put, it rocks.

So do you like to drive? See if you can top this one off: I just received a press release from Volvo North America. Take a read...

LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK (September 26, 2006) – He just keeps on going. Irv Gordon, Volvo’s “Two Million Mile Man,” just became the “Four Million Kilometer Man,” breaking the four million kilometer barrier in the same shiny red 1966 Volvo P1800 he has been driving for more than 40 years.

Sixty-four-year-old retired science teacher and Long Island native Irv Gordon made history in 2002 when he reached a milestone no other individual had ever accomplished in more than 100 years of the automobile: driving two million miles in the same vehicle. He continues to break records with his latest one-car feat.

“It was a beautiful day. I was leaving Lake Placid, the leaves were starting to turn and the road had just the right amount of twists and turns for my P1800. Perfect driving conditions for reaching a new milestone,” said Gordon, describing his four-million-kilometer moment. “The only way it would have been more perfect was if I’d been cruising the Italian Alps or driving cross-country down under. It is a metric milestone, after all.”

Gordon says his next goal is the two-and-a-half million mark. Good luck Irv! For your reading pleasure four million kilometers would equal to: Almost 100 times around the world (through the equator) 7,104 swims across the English Channel. More than 114 Great Race’s (New York to Paris).

Chrysler Group Delivers the Biggest Thing in Car Audio Since the CD Player

The MyGIG™ Multimedia Infotainment System Offers an Industry-first Combination of Customer-friendly Usability and Premium Features in Mid-priced Vehicle Segments

The new MyGIG™ multimedia head unit combines navigation with real-time traffic, hands-free communication, multiple ways to save and play back music and high-quality audio. The system includes an advanced voice dialogue system that recognizes over 100,000 words and touch-screen control for easy operation. Customers even will be able to view their photos and store their favorite music and photos using Chrysler Group’s first USB 2.0 port interface.

All we can do now it to hope that this new "infotainment" system--as Chrysler calls it--won't be as challeging to operate as it is diverse. Remember, BMW wanted to have cutting edge technology with its iDrive system, but instead they had drivers--technology lovers or not--all confused with the system.

Welcome to the Sixth Gear Herald, the online blog for automotive journalist Daniel Souza. He currently lives in the beautiful Provo, UT.

Here you will find the latest happenings in the automotive world as well find what's coming on my latest automotive reviews.

Here you are free to include you comments, what you like, what you don't or anything that you feel like saying (or typing) about the automotive industry. Please no swear words or offensive material.

Published this week: 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid

Unlike a fully autonomous electrical engine, this sedan—the most powerful and fuel efficient Accord available with 9 more horsepower than the regular Accord—uses a full V6 engine with an assist from the electrical side. It utilizes Honda’s third-generation of the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system in combination with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) cylinder deactivation technology to deliver fuel efficiency for a V6 engine along with V6 performance. The 3.0-liter V6 engine with IMA achieves an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 25/34 city/highway miles per gallon.

The problem of the previous sentence revolves around the word ‘estimated’. The Accord Hybrid snailed fuel economy around the 23 mpg mark—a mediocre mark for a vehicle that carries hybrid in its name. Fuel consumption will decrease if you jump on I-15 targeting different-county traveling, but if you are like most, the jogging of Utah County cities will leave your consumption level at around 24 mpg.

This is a test for this newly-created auto blog for Sixth Gear Herald