How could Volvo ensure safety in a convertible? Simple: by building it with a steel drop-top and pop-up roll bars. That is what the safety-minded Swedes have come up with in the C70, which is in its second year since being reincarnated.
The hard-top convertible is not a new concept, but it seems to be a trend currently in revival. Besides the benefit of increased occupant safety when the top is up, this design is a bit less noisy than a soft-top.
The 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, 218-hp gives it the right amount of pep, although there's considerable torque-steer upon acceleration. A suspension that falls on the soft side also makes this car's handling seem not in line with other Volvos.
In addition to the roll bars, the expected Volvo safety features are all found in the 2007 C70: driver and passenger air bags (including side-curtain units that inflate upward from the doors), Side-Impact Protection System, Whiplash Protection System, a collapsible steering column, an energy-absorbing interior, and passenger safety cage. The ergonomically-designed seats are also anti-submarining, meaning the passenger will not slide out from under the seatbelts (which are of course state-of-the-art) with impact. The rear seat is ready to accept a child-safety seat.
A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard on the C70, but you may opt for the 5-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, which may also be operated manually. Other available options include the Volvo Navigation System, a rear-park assist (obstacle detector), and Sirius Satellite Radio. The convertible comes in eight colors with two choices for the interior.
User reviews gave positive comments for the car's comfort, but that is to be expected, as it is a Volvo. Another driver gave praise to the backseat, which is roomy for a convertible (it features two bucket seats rather than a bench seat).
There are trade-offs involved with any car. As expected, the need to accommodate the hardtop takes away from trunk space; you can't drive a family of four to the airport in this one with the top down, at least not if they plan to take luggage! Also, some drivers felt that the hardtop is rather slow to do its thing; the three-section steel top requires up to 40 seconds to open or close. You will probably have to pull over when you wish to change roof status, whereas on other convertibles you might have time to do so when stopped at a red light. Volvo also recommends a rest interval of 20 minutes between opening and closing of the top in order to allow the hydraulics system to cool.
Another complaint concerned the need for a better rain-gutter system: water runs into trunk and onto seats when the doors are opened during or shortly after precipitation.
