• Shows strong indication of styling for the new Volvo C30 to be launched in September 2006.
• Styling inspired by classic Volvo P1800ES and recent Volvo SCC (Safety Concept Car).
• Two doors, four individual seats, and a glass tailgate.
• Shorter, but wider, than a Volvo S40 saloon.
• 2.4-litre, five-cylinder turbo engine with 350Nm of torque

Volvo has revealed a two-door concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which gives a strong indication of the design of a new smaller Volvo C30 model which will be launched at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The styling of the C30 Design Concept is inspired by the classic Volvo P1800 ES and Volvo's recent SCC (Safety Concept Car) and incorporates today's Volvo styling cues such as a boat-shaped aerodynamic front section and shapely rear shoulders enhanced by the horseshoe-shaped rear light clusters.

"The rear light pattern is so unusual that you'll never be in any doubt about what car you have in front of you," said Steve Mattin, design director at Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo has a busy schedule of new model launches in 2006, but the C30 will be one of the most significant as it does not replace an existing model and is designed to appeal to new, younger customers without children who want a compact car that's good to drive and has plenty of style. It will take Volvo into a new sector of the market, to compete against the popular Audi A3, and others too, such as the new and highly desirable Volkswagen Golf GT and the Peugeot 307 Sport, Mini Cooper, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1-Series or Alfa Romeo 147. To further complicate Volvo's desire, they need to face the competition from 'lifestyle' cars, such as Peugeot's highly regarded 307 CC, Mazda's very successful MX-5 and Chrysler's trendy PT Cruiser. The new model is part of Volvo's strategy to broaden its model range to achieve its global sales target of 600,000 cars per annum.

"We know there are a large number of younger people who are attracted by the Volvo brand, but cannot find a compact model in our range that exactly matches their taste and needs," says Volvo Car Corporation's new President and CEO, Frederik Arp. "The Volvo C30 Design Concept has been developed precisely for this potentially important group of new customers," he continued.

Volvo carried out research clinics to gauge opinions of younger professional couples and singles across Europe. The results showed that most rarely need to take more than two people, and describe their ideal car as an agile, rewarding runabout; but, significantly, a good design and brand name are particularly important for them whether buying clothes, household items – or a car.

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