Review: Volvo Mk.2-I C70 Convertible (2006-10)

Overview

Released in December 2006, the Volvo Mk.2 Phase I (Mk.2-I) C70 Convertible was a four-seat convertible with a power-operated, retractable steel roof. Manufactured in Uddevalla, Sweden, the front-wheel drive Volvo C70 Convertible was available with naturally aspirated 2.4-litre and turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engines (the ‘2.4’ and ‘T5’ variants, respectively).

B5244S4 and B5254T3 engines

Of the engines,

The 2.4-litre B5244S4 five-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder heads, fracture-split steel connecting rods, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing for the intake camshaft and a compression ratio of 10.3:1; and,
The 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbocharged petrol engine for T5 variants had similar properties but added a K04 Borg Warner turbocharger which provided peak boost pressure of 0.65 bar, an intercooler, continuously variable valve timing for the exhaust camshaft and had a lower compression ratio (9.0:1). In 2008, the B5254T3 was replaced by the B5254T7 which had a slightly different turbocharger design and a reprogrammed ECU.

While the 2.4 was available with five-speed automatic and manual transmissions, the T5 was also available with a six-speed manual unit.

Dimensions

Compared to the Volvo Mk.1 C70 Convertible , the Mk.2 C70 Convertible was 192 mm shorter (at 4528 mm), the same width (1820 mm), 10 mm lower (1400 mm) and had a 20 mm shorter wheelbase (2640 mm). Furthermore, the C70 Convertible introduced a three-piece folding steel roof which could be opened or closed in thirty seconds.

Volvo Mk.2-I C70 Convertible specifications
Variant	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
2.4 LE	2006-09	2435 cc B5244S4 petrol I5	5sp auto, 5sp man.	125 kW at 6000 rpm	230 Nm at 4400 rpm
2.4 S	2009-10	2435 cc B5244S4 petrol I5	5sp auto, 5sp man.	125 kW at 6000 rpm	230 Nm at 4400 rpm
T5	2006-07	2522 cc B5254T3 turbo petrol I5	5sp auto, 6sp man.	162 kW at 5000 rpm	320 Nm at 1500-4800 rpm
T5	2008-10	2522 cc B5254T7 turbo petrol I5	5sp auto, 6sp man.	169 kW at 5000 rpm	320 Nm at 1500-4400 rpm

Suspension and steering

The Volvo Mk.2 C70 Convertible had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension (both with coil springs, gas filled dampers and anti-roll bars).

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 seat-mounted side airbags, door-mounted upward-inflating (i.e. curtain) airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-submarining seats, front seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners and anti-whiplash front headrests.

The C70 was also fitted with Volvo’s Roll Over Protection System (‘ROPS’) which used a pyrotechnic release to deploy the rollover protection bars.

Features

Standard features for the Volvo C70 Convertible LE included 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, power adjustable front seats with memory settings, cruise control, rear parking sensors, front and rear fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and immobiliser.

Compared to the LE, the C70 Convertible S was fitted with a cloth trim and a six speaker sound system. Coinciding with the September 2009 release of the S variant, auxiliary sound system inputs were made standard across the range.

The range-topping C70 Convertible T5 was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels, twelve speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, bi-xenon headlights with washers and rain-sensing wipers.

Review: Volvo Mk.2-II C70 Convertible (2010-13)