Review: Volvo Mk.1 C70 Convertible (1999-04)

Review: Volvo Mk.1-I C70 Convertible (1999-01)

Overview

Released in September 1999, the Volvo Mk.1 Phase I (Mk.1-I) C70 Convertible was a two-door convertible with a power-operated soft-top roof. Manufactured in Uddevalla, Sweden, the front-wheel drive Volvo C70 Convertible range consisted of T5 and 2.4T variants.

B5234T and B5254T engines

Of the engines,

• the 2.3-litre B5234T3 five-cylinder petrol engine for T5 variants had an aluminium block and cylinder heads, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.5:1. The turbocharger provided peak boost pressure of 1.66 kPa, though 1.4 kPa was available from 1800 rpm; and,
• the 2.4-litre B5254T engine for 2.4T variants had similar properties, though its low-pressure turbocharger provided peak boost pressure of 0.4 kPa and the engine operated with a compression ratio of 9.0:1.

Body and dimensions

The Volvo C70 Convertible was based on the Volvo 850 platform and, like the Volvo C70 Coupe , was 4720 mm long, 1820 mm wide, 1410 mm tall and had a 2660 mm wheelbase. Furthermore, the C70 Convertible’s full automatic soft-top roof could be raised or lowered in 25 seconds via a dashboard-mounted switch.

Suspension and steering

The Volvo C70 Convertible had MacPherson strut front suspension and trailing twist beam rear suspension (Volvo’s ‘Delta-link’ semi-independent rear suspension). Furthermore, the Volvo C70 Convertible had rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo C70 Convertible included dual front airbags, front side airbags (with thorax and head protection), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and an automatically deploying roll bar (Volvo’s Roll Over Protection System, ‘ROPS’). The C70 Convertible was also fitted with Volvo’s whiplash protection system (‘WHIPS’) which, in the event of a rear-end impact, would move and then tilt the front seat backrests bac kWards to support the head and upper torso.

Features

Standard features for the Volvo C70 Convertible 2.4T included 16-inch alloy wheels, a thirteen speaker Dolby Surround ProLogic sound system (including two nine-inch subwoofers) with a three-disc CD player, climate control air conditioning, leather seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, heated front seats, cruise control, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the C70 Convertible was also fitted with a limited slip differential.

The Volvo C70 Convertible T5 was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels.

Review: Volvo Mk.1-II C70 Convertible (2001-04)

Overview

Released in August 2001, the Volvo Mk.1 Phase II (Mk.1-II) C70 Convertible introduced a revised range as the 2.4T was discontinued. In 2002, the C70 2.4T returned, but only for a limited-run 75th Anniversary edition. In March 2003, the T5’s 2.3-litre turbo engine received a slight power upgrade.

Safety equipment and features

Compared to its Mk.1-I predecessor, safety equipment and features were largely unchanged.

In addition to its unique drivetrain, the C70 2.4T 75th Anniversary edition was distinguished by its rear parking sensors and metallic interior highlights.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Volvo Mk.1 C70