Volvo C70 at the Frankfurt Motor Show

The new Volvo C70 launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show has the equivalent smart three-piece steel roof, functional seating for four adults and world-leading convertible safety as before. With a refreshed design and raised premium quality, the C70 also delivers an "I want" aura of absolute world-class.

The Volvo C70 is as much a luxurious coupe as it is a sporty convertible. Above all, however, the Volvo C70 is a car to like.

"The Volvo C70 has classic convertible lines and a strong identity of its own. What we have done is to carefully redesign the front and rear so they harmonise more with both today's and tomorrow's Volvo models. We have also increased the exclusiveness of the materials and trim details to enhance the atmosphere of luxury and enjoyment inside the car," explains Fedde Talsma, Exterior Chief Designer at Volvo Cars.

The Volvo C70 shows traces of the S60 Concept Car that was uncovered in early 2009. Bodywork details such as the front wings have also been redesigned, according to the decidedly altered display. The new headlamps and the décor around the foglamps, for instance, have been angled offset up and to the rear, at the same time as the detailing of the lower grille has been enhanced.

"The new C70 has a clearer, more pronounced face. The car's natural elegance has been modernised so it blends seamlessly with the most up-to-date, the most sophisticated backdrops," says Fedde Talsma.

The interior has been refreshed in several regards to generate a unique ambience in the Volvo C70. The exclusive new instruments, with gauges and graphics specific to the C70, are yet another example of how the car's premium feel has been emphasised still further.

"We've focused the new interior features around the driver to give the owner a stronger perception of being rewarded behind the wheel. The seats are upholstered in a new type of soft hide and there is even better detail finish to make driving a more pleasurable experience than ever before," continues Fedde Talsma.

World-leading safety among convertibles

The new Volvo C70 has been engineered as one of the safest convertibles on the market, as regards both preventive and protective safety. The car has an advanced body structure and several solutions that are unique in the world of open cars. The lack of a fixed roof has been compensated by structural reinforcements and sophisticated technology.

Protection in roll-over accidents

The Volvo C70 has sturdy metal hoops that shoot up behind the rear seat passengers to create added protective survival space should the car rollover. These hoops, which are part of Volvo's Rollover Protection System - ROPS - are activated by a gyro-sensor. Since the Volvo C70 has a proper glass rear window, the hoops shoot up through the glass if the roof is up. They have therefore been fitted with small hardened metal spikes that break the glass to guarantee proper protective function.

Unique door-mounted inflatable curtain

One important part of the side-impact and rollover protection is the inflatable curtain, IC, which is installed in the door since there is no roof rail in which to fit it. The curtain has an extra-stiff design featuring twin rows of panels that are offset somewhat in relation to one another. As a result, the curtain can remain upright and help protect the head in an effective way even if the window is open. What is more, the curtain deflates slowly, helping to provide added protection should the car rollover.

Side-impact airbags and safety belt pre-tensioners for all seats

In addition to the inflatable curtains on either side, the front seat occupants also have side-impact airbags. The size of these bags is dimensioned to shield both the chest and hips. What is more, the inflatable curtain interacts with the belt pre-tensioners to contribute to the best possible protection for front-seat occupants in a side impact or rollover situation. All four seats come with safety belt pre-tensioners.

Elegant three-part steel roof

The Volvo C70 transforms smoothly from a cosy coupe into an open convertible. Just press a button and the three-part steel roof folds quickly and silently away, disappearing neatly into the boot.

Facts about the roof of the Volvo C70:

• The car has to be at a standstill when the roof is raised or lowered

• The car only needs 2 metres of free vertical space when the roof is raised or lowered

• There is no need for extra space behind the car while the roof is being raised or lowered

• The roof takes about 30 seconds to open/shut (irrespective of climate)

• An electric motor, hydraulic pump and computer are used to open and shut the roof

• The boot lid has two opening modes: for the handling of the roof or to provide access to the luggage compartment

• The roof is divided into three sections

• The roof panels are made of steel

• The seams between the sections are sealed with rubber

• The side windows slide up against the roof rail after roof closes.

• The boot lid is made of aluminium and steel

• The body's torsional rigidity improves by about 15 per cent when the roof is raised