Rumors of a new Volvo hot hatch have gotten hot again with talk of a new 300-horsepower C30 for Europe. According to reports, the new model would be powered by the same 2.5-liter inline-five cylinder turbo engine that powers the new Ford Focus RS. One difference between the two cars, which share a similar platform, is that the Swedish beauty would be offered with a Haldex all-wheel drive system in contrast to the Blue Oval's torque-steer inducing front-engine, front-drive layout. Larger 20-inch wheels ought to fill out the arches quite nicely, and a special body kit should bring the whole look closer to the tarmac. To keep demand high, Volvo may limit the new model to 4,500 units worldwide, though we have no idea where it will offer the hatch besides the U.K. Considering that the Swedish automaker has diluted its R-nameplate, we're also not certain what this performance-minded C30 will be called, but we're sure it'll be the most fun we've had in a Volvo for quite a long time.
Volvo gave its C30 hatchback a pretty aggressive look when it introduced the R-Design package, but unfortunately none of that sportiness made its way beneath the hood. Adding some show to the go, Volvo has reportedly created a C30 prototype fitted with a turbocharged inline-5 pumping out 350 horsepower using the Ford Focus RS engine block as a base. Best of all, it would be able fully put down all that power combined with Volvo's AWD system, unlike the FWD system on the Focus RS. Unfortunately, Volvo has no current plans to bring the car to production, and with high gas prices and upcoming fuel consumption regulations, it would be tough to convince them otherwise.
Volvo has just announced a the C30 R-Design trim for its newest model. The package is comprised of only exterior and interior mods, so no additional go fast parts have been added to either the turbocharged 5-cylinder engine or suspension. What buyers will get is a few matte-silver finished pieces on the outside, including the side view mirrors, grille surround and Volvo's trademark grille "strap", as well as an R-Design badge on the grille. The C30 R-Design also gets the sport body kit, a tailgate spoiler, 18-inch Atreus wheels, larger diameter exhaust tips and your choice of Black Sapphire, Titanium Grey, Orinoco Blue or Passion Red paint.
The interior is gussied up with a new finish for the center console, seats upholstered in off-black Flex-tech and creme-colored leather, blue-face gauges, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminum inlays that bear the R-Design logo.
Though it will be the top-of-the-line C30, the R-Design model is still a C30 and will therefore still have plenty of options to push its yet-to-be-determined price even higher. These include a 5-speed Geartronic transmission, DVD-based navigation system, even better Serapis alloy wheels and plenty else. What's more, only 400 R-Design models will be sold in the U.S., which is just about one for every Volvo dealer in the country. Considering that C-30 sales have cooled off considerably since Volvo moved 811 units of its new hatch last September (it's first full month on sale), it will probably take at least two months for the limited edition C30 R-Design to sell out, if not more.
