Volvo Car UK has Announced Prices for C30 and C70

The new Volvo C30 and C70 were showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. Both models will be available at local dealers in January 2010. The prices start from £14,495 for Volvo C30 1.6S and £25,995 for C70 2.0D S.

Volvo C30 Interior

There will be four available trim leves for Volvo C30 – S, SE, SE Lux and R-Design and a choice of six engines. The new 1.6D DRIVe with Start/Stop engine is included in the range.

The engine range for Volvo C30 starts with 1.6S petrol engine delivering 100ps. The second less powerful engine is 1.6D DRIVe with 109ps, capable of doing 100km with only 3.9 litre diesel fuel. Third engine in the range is 2.0 litre diesel with 136ps. The bigger petrol engine is 2.0 litre delivering 145ps and the bigger diesel D5 with 180ps. The most powerful unit available for C30 is T5 with 230ps.

Trim level offers fol Volvo C70 are S, SE and SE Lux. There will be four engines in the option list for C70. Two diesel – 2.0 litre (136ps) and D5 (180ps) and two petrol engines 2.4i with 170ps and the mighty T5 delivering 230ps.

Full Press Release

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Volvo Car UK has announced prices for the new C30 SportCoupe and C70 coupe/convertible. The Volvo C30 starts from only £14,495 OTR for the 1.6 S, while customers can purchase a new Volvo C70 2.0D S for £25,995 OTR.

The new Volvo C30 and C70 were unveiled at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 showcasing extensive facelifts to give the cars distinct new styling. Both models will arrive in dealer showrooms and be available for customer test drives this December, with first customer deliveries in January 2010.

Volvo C30 specification and pricing

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Starting at £14,495 OTR, the Volvo C30 will be available in four trim levels S, SE, SE Lux and R-DESIGN and will have the choice of six engines including the 99 g/km CO2-emitting 1.6D 109 PS DRIVe with Start/Stop right up to the turbocharged T5 producing 230 PS.

Volvo C30

The S model offers a high level of specification with features such as ECC (Electronic Climate Control), Information Centre, power windows, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, floor mats, CD player and an Aux input and 16″ Convector alloy wheels (Libra alloys on DRIVe S), as well as all the advanced safety systems you’d expect from a Volvo including DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control).

The SE trim level adds Cruise Control, steering wheel remote controls and Leksand Textile/T-Tec upholstery on the inside. Exterior additions include front fog lights, 17″ Styx White alloy wheels and auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights.

The SE Lux enhances the SE specification with luxury features such as leather upholstery, power drivers seat with memory, 17″ Spartacus alloy wheels and active bending lights with headlamp cleaning system.

Based on the S specification, R-DESIGN models benefit from steering wheel remote audio controls, embossed R-DESIGN leather/T-Tec upholstery available in two colour combinations, aluminium deco centre stack and door inserts, blue instrument dials and sports floor mats with contrast piping on the inside. External features include a bodykit with front and rear spoilers and colour matched side skirts, tailgate spoiler, front fog lights, chrome plated sports tailpipe, grille and door mirror housings in silver matt finish and five spoke 17″ Cratus Alloy wheels. The new Sports Chassis has also been introduced as standard to R-DESIGN to give a dynamic driving experience to match its sporty appearance. The Sports Chassis is also available as an option on non-R-DESIGN models.

Volvo C30

Volvo offers a range of options so customers can personalise their C30 including 18″ alloy wheels (£500), rear park assist (£350), keyless drive (£350), Oyster burst trim (no cost option on SE and SE Lux and £250 on S), the new Sport Chassis (£400), a choice of exterior contrast colours (£175) and a range of interior and exterior accessory styling kits.

Volvo C30	Prices OTR
S
1.6D DRIVe (109 PS)	£16,245
1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) with Start/Stop	£16,710
1.6 (100 PS)	£14,495
SE
1.6D DRIVe (109 PS)	£17,995
1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) with Start/Stop	£18,460
2.0D (136 PS)	£18,610
D5 (180 PS)	£20,110
1.6 (100 PS)	£16,245
2.0 (145 PS)	£17,245
SE Lux
1.6D DRIVe (109 PS)	£19,245
1.6D DRIVe (109 PS) with Start/Stop	£19,710
2.0D (136 PS)	?19,860
D5 (180 PS)	£21,360
2.0 (145 PS)	£18,495
R-DESIGN
1.6D DRIVe (109 PS)	£18,245
2.0D (136 PS)	£18,860
D5 (180 PS)	£20,360
1.6 (100 PS)	£16,245
2.0 (145 PS)	£17,495
T5 (230 PS)	£20,235

Volvo C70 specification and pricing

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Along with a more refined appearance, the Volvo C70 also features a number of specification changes. Available in three trim levels – S, SE and SE Lux – and a choice four engines, including two diesels – 2.0D, D5 and two petrol derivatives – 2.4i, T5, the C70 range starts from £25,995 for the 2.0D S.

The S model comes complete with Volvo’s familiar suite of safety features including WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) as well as comprehensive standard specification including ECC (Electronic Climate Control), 16″ Castula alloy wheels, front fog lights, power windows, information centre, cruise control, floor mats and Performance Sound Audio System.

The SE builds on the S specification by adding 17″ Sirona alloy wheels, auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights and rear park assist. Additions inside the car include Aluminium trim, Bluetooth® hands-free system, auto-dimming rear view mirror and High Performance Sound Audio System.

Volvo C70

The luxurious SE Lux trim includes Leather-faced upholstery, power driver’s seat and active bending lights with headlamp cleaning system.

For an additional touch of luxury, a Premium upgrade is available on the majority of trim levels by adding leather-faced upholstery and Satellite Navigation System (RTI) to the already high standard of specification.

Volvo C70	Prices OTR
S
2.0D (136 PS)	£25,995
SE
2.0D (136 PS)	£28,245
2.0D (136 PS) SE Premium	£30,245
D5 (180 PS)	£29,995
D5 (180 PS) SE Premium	£31,995
2.4i (170 PS)	£27,995
2.4i (170 PS) SE Premium	£29,995
SE Lux
2.0D (136 PS)	£29,595
2.0D (136 PS) SE Lux Premium	£30,845
D5 (180 PS)	£31,345
D5 (180 PS) SE Lux Premium	£32,595
2.4i (170PS)	£29,345
2.4i (170 PS) SE Lux Premium	£30,595
T5 (230 PS)	£32,345
T5 (230 PS) SE Lux Premium	£33,595

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2010 Buick LaCrosse

Auto manufacturers like to toss around the word "reinvention." Most of the time, it's little more than wishful hyperbole, but every now and then, a vehicle redesign is executed in which the slate is truly wiped clean. So it is with the 2010 Buick LaCrosse.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

The previous-generation LaCrosse was unremarkable, with a low-rent interior and handling that was about as scintillating as Meemaw's stewed prunes. With the current model, Buick has whipped up something more enticing and well-rounded. The LaCrosse's sheet metal is muscular and alluring, and ride quality is comfortable and substantial enough to merit the adjective "Germanic." Its cabin boasts innovative styling, and materials quality is mostly impressive, though there are some incongruous metallic accents that seem lifted from its humbler cousin, the Chevy Malibu.

There's no shortage of capable premium sedans, and each has its strengths. Look past its love-it-or-hate-it styling, and you'll find that the Acura TL offers enough nifty electronic toys to fill a playroom, along with a relatively fun-loving personality. You can count on the Lexus ES 350 for impressive acceleration and bulletproof quality, but unfortunately it's hobbled by a lack of personality that makes this Buick seem vivacious.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

Like the Buick, the Hyundai Genesis is an outstanding high-end sedan with a modest badge that's thousands cheaper than similarly equipped rivals. Among these worthy competitors, though, the LaCrosse's assured handling and appealing aesthetics make it one to consider.

Performance

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The Buick LaCrosse CXS comes with the bigger of two available V6 engines, a 3.6-liter mill that generates decent — though not exceptional — acceleration. Good for 280 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, this power plant hustles the LaCrosse from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. This isn't bad, but the TL (6.4 seconds), ES 350 (7.0) and Genesis (6.4) have more scoot.

Our tester's six-speed automatic transmission executed fluid shifts, but we did notice some downshift lag. Handling is exactly what it should be for a car in this segment — this Buick exudes a confidence and gravitas that's right in step with its mission to credibly compete as a luxury cruiser. It snaked through the slalom at 62.3 mph — about 5 mph quicker than the ES 350.

That notorious Buick wallow is nowhere to be found — the LaCrosse's suspension manages to neutralize irregularities without isolating you from the road. Steering is intuitive and precise, and stopping power is adequate: The LaCrosse halted from 60 mph in 127 feet, while an ES 350 we tested took a disappointing 133 feet to accomplish the same. The Buick exhibited zero ABS vibration and minimal pitch as its brakes were punished at the track.

With an EPA rating of 17 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined, the LaCrosse's mileage is a hair behind the 22-mpg combined rating offered by the ES 350 and Nissan Maxima. It's worth remembering, though, that both these cars require premium fuel, while the Buick chugs regular unleaded.

Comfort

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The previous-generation LaCrosse had seats that were about as supportive as that ancient couch that littered your college dorm room, but the current model is a chapter from a new book. Its seats are firm but not too firm, and even offer some bolstering to keep you in place as you negotiate corners. Still, they would benefit from additional lumbar support.

With a width of 73.1 inches, this Buick is wider than the ES 350 — wider, even, than the mammoth Honda Accord. This is good news if your plan is to seat three in back; a trio is accommodated in relative comfort. If you're only toting two rear passengers, they'll enjoy the fold-down armrest, which is nicely padded and offers two cupholders. Rear legroom is generous, more so than that of the huge 2010 Ford Taurus.

A serene cabin is the earmark of a true luxury sedan, and the Buick's performance in this regard is exemplary. Minimal road and wind noise make for a Zen-like stillness throughout the cabin, whether you're sprinting down the freeway or mired in surface-street gridlock.

One of the LaCrosse's most distinctive features is a wraparound dash that curves into the door panels, encircling the driver and front passenger. It's stunning to look at, but in practice, it's not always a winning approach. Taller editors who kept their seats positioned in a separate ZIP code from the dash were able to enter and exit the vehicle with no problems. However, editors who preferred a more forward seating position complained of bumping their knees on the somewhat intrusive dash during ingress and egress.

2010 Buick LaCrosse Interior

Our test car had a programmable feature that automatically slid the driver seat back to facilitate exit, and this can be used to eliminate this problem for drivers. However, front passengers who don't have the seat positioned way back will likely suffer a knock or two to the knees.

Function

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A sea of buttons awaits you on the center stack, but fortunately, they're well-organized and easily navigable. There aren't many storage options within the cabin; there's a decent-size cubby in the center console, but bins on the doors are shallow and narrow, and a cubby located near the steering wheel is small. Front passengers have access to two cupholders, but their center-console placement is rather awkward. When they're in use, elbow room is compromised, and it's difficult to manipulate the shifter.

Due to its somewhat crowded layout, the sedan's analog speedometer is hard to read, but happily, there are other options. The CXS's multifunction display gives drivers the ability to access a redundant digital speedometer; there's also an optional head-up display for those who can't bear to pry their eyes from the road. Other favorite features include an oversized power sunroof that serves up a big patch of sky, and seats that offer cold-weather heating and summertime ventilation.

The LaCrosse's short greenhouse and relatively large A-pillars burden those driving this large sedan with visibility challenges. As such, we'd recommend springing for the blind-spot warning system — our test car wasn't equipped with this feature, but it's available as part of the $1,440 Driver Confidence package.

A child seat is accommodated with room to spare, and the LaCrosse offers a feature not seen in most sedans in this category: a third set of LATCH anchors in the center of the rear seat. Thus, parents have the option of using LATCH anchors to secure their child seat in this safer and more convenient location.

With only 12.8 cubic feet, the LaCrosse trails most large and midsize sedans when it comes to trunk space; its trunk is also irregularly shaped, which can make loading difficult. Still, there's enough room back there for a pair of standard-size suitcases. Golfers will be able to fit their clubs diagonally; the trunk's deep front-corner pockets also facilitate placement just parallel to the rear fascia.

Design/Fit and Finish

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Beefy and solid-looking, the LaCrosse attracted a few admiring glances during its stay with us; cues like its oversize grille and abbreviated trunk communicate masculine authority. However, we feel the car's flashy hood vents are an unfortunate misstep.

Materials quality is mostly delightful — the stitched leather and nicely textured plastics get the thumbs-up and could easily be found in a Cadillac. Still, there are some cheap-looking metallic accents around the center console that are out of sync with the sedan's upscale furnishings.

Who Should Consider This Vehicle

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The Buick LaCrosse is an excellent pick for families seeking transportation with more luxury and style than your run-of-the-mill family sedan — provided they can live with the meager storage opportunities within the cabin and trunk.

With three pairs of LATCH anchors, it's a great choice for families with three kids of car-seat age, and its quiet cabin makes it ideal for shoppers who crave Lexus tranquility without the Lexus price tag. Its reasonable price, ample feature content and modish interior make this sedan a must-see for any luxury-car shopper interested in maximizing value.

Watch Video 2010 Buick LaCrosse

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2010 Buick LaCrosse


2010 Buick LaCrosse in detail

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2010 Honda Odyssey Vehicle

Summary

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The 2010 Honda Odyssey remains unchanged, despite rumors of an expected new generation.

Pros
Agile handling, smooth V6 power, convenient split and flat-folding rear bench seat, available eight-passenger capacity, excellent crash-test scores.

Cons
Pricier than the competition, dated interior, elevated road noise, too many buttons on higher trim levels, no iPod integration.

What's New for 2010
There are no significant changes to the 2010 Honda Odyssey.

Introduction

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The current-generation Honda Odyssey has been around since 2005. In car years, it's in the twilight of its run. There were whispers of a complete redesign for 2010, but those rumors have proved unsubstantiated, as the latest Odyssey is essentially the same as it was last year. From the outside, the Odyssey hides its age well, thanks to a face-lift a few years back. The interior, however, could have benefitted from a makeover as well. Still, the Odyssey's impressive all-around talent should earn it a spot on every minivan buyer's test-drive list.

2010 Honda Odyssey

Compared to many contemporary vehicles, the 2010 Honda Odyssey's cabin lacks the refinement, simplicity and bells and whistles we've come to expect. An abundance of hard plastics serve to cheapen the experience, an excessive amount of buttons overcomplicate even the simplest of tasks, and iPod integration is notably absent. On higher trim levels, even the leather upholstery is decidedly downmarket.

Some of these drawbacks are not without their silver linings, though, as the hard plastics and thick leather are easy to clean and able to absorb years of hard use. Furthermore, the Odyssey's unparalleled combination of agility, capable V6 power, utility, convenience and safety ultimately outweighs our comparably minor complaints. Given that these traits are paramount among family car buyers, it's easy to see why the Honda Odyssey remains our top pick for a minivan.

However, those contemplating the purchase of a 2010 Honda Odyssey should keep in mind that the base price is about as expensive as minivans get, and that price makes a steep climb upward as the trim level advances. Rival minivans like the Kia Sedona and Toyota Sienna are also worthy of consideration, as are top large crossovers like the Ford Flex and Mazda CX-9. But for larger families, our money is still on the Honda Odyssey.


Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

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The 2010 Honda Odyssey is offered in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. The base LX model includes 16-inch steel wheels, dual manual sliding rear doors, keyless entry, full power accessories, cruise control, front and rear air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a retractable center tray between the front seats and a four-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The EX trim level adds alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, roof rails, heated outside mirrors, automatic headlights, a power driver seat, a removable second-row center seat, a conversation mirror, automatic triple-zone climate control and a six-speaker audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.

The EX-L goes markedly upscale by adding a leather-trimmed interior, heated front seats, a power front passenger seat, a power liftgate, a back-up camera with a rearview-mirror-mounted display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, satellite radio and a sunroof. Finally, the fully loaded Touring edition adds foglights, run-flat tires, rear parking sensors, power-adjustable pedals, driver-seat memory positioning and a premium audio system. Also included on the Touring are a rear-seat entertainment system, a navigation system with a back-up camera and Bluetooth. The entertainment system can be had on the Odyssey EX, and both the entertainment and navigation systems are optional on the EX-L.


Powertrains and Performance

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The 2010 Honda Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 244 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque (EX-L and Touring models get an additional boost of 5 pound-feet). The only transmission available is a five-speed automatic that channels power to the front wheels.

The EX-L and Touring models come equipped with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), which deactivates up to three cylinders when coasting. This system allows those particular Odysseys to return an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined -- a notable improvement over the base engine's 16/23/18. In performance testing, we accelerated a Touring model from zero to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds -- slower than some competitors, but still respectable.

Safety

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The 2010 Honda Odyssey comes with standard safety features that include antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front-seat side-impact airbags and full-length head curtain airbags with a rollover sensor.

In government crash tests, the Odyssey earned a perfect five-star rating for front- and side-impact protection for the driver and passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Odyssey a best-possible "Good" rating for both frontal-offset and side-impact collisions.


Interior Design and Special Features

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The Odyssey can be configured to seat seven or eight passengers, with the eighth occupant relegated to the removable PlusOne center seat in the second row on EX, EX-L and Touring models. In a pinch, this seat could come in handy, but otherwise, it is far too narrow for any passenger to sit in comfortably. When not in use as a seat, it can be converted into a tray table or removed and stowed in the Odyssey's in-floor storage area.

2010 Honda Odyssey Interior Steering Wheel

For added versatility, the second-row captain's chairs can be mounted left and center, allowing for easier third-row access. The three-passenger third-row seats feature a 60/40-split bench that effortlessly folds flat into the floor. With these seats stowed, the Odyssey can accommodate 91 cubic feet of cargo. The second-row seats are rather heavy and unwieldy, but when removed, cargo capacity expands to just over 147 cubic feet -- about average for this segment but significantly more than any crossover SUV can offer.

From an aesthetic perspective, the Odyssey's cabin is looking rather dated these days. Hard plastics are prevalent on the old-school center stack, and those gathered leather seat surfaces haven't been in style since the '90s. On higher trim levels, the button-heavy cockpit can be confusing and aggravating.

Driving Impressions

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The 2010 Honda Odyssey's responsive steering, taut suspension, smooth V6 power and relatively tight turning radius make it the most carlike minivan on the road, unless you count the much smaller Mazda 5. When the road goes from straight and flat to hilly and curvy, the suspension skillfully keeps this minivan solidly planted and stable. Gearchanges from the five-speed automatic are quick and smooth.

On the highway, road noise is prominent in the Odyssey compared to the competition, and the overall ride quality isn't as luxurious as the Toyota Sienna's. Still, the Odyssey can ably transport plenty of passengers for long distances quite comfortably.

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