Following a current trend, Volvo has begun producing hardtop convertibles. Whether you opt for the baby Volvo, the C30, or its big brother the S80, you know when a Volvo is coming toward you, thanks to handsome rectangular headlamps, an egg-crate grille and broad shoulders.

The C70 doesn’t stray too far from the previous-generation (pre-2006) coupe and convertible. Its appearance has evolved to look great with the top up or down. Put the C70 in park, press a button. in a tick under 30 seconds, the boot lid raises and the roof separates in three pieces then slides backward and stacks inside the cargo area. Reversing the procedure achieves the security of a coupe, complete with a premium fabric headliner that makes it easy to forget that one is driving a convertible.

It’s easy to achieve a sense of serenity in the C70 thanks to typical Volvo attention to comfort. With well-padded cushions, great lumbar support, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and eight-way power seats. If you are sitting the back seat you won’t fare badly, either; with enough legroom to actually call the C70 a four-seater.

The C70 makes use of the S40’s floating dash, a slick design composed of brushed aluminum. You can even secure small items behind the centre panel.

Volvo pioneered the side curtain airbags that expand upward from the window sills to help avoid head and shoulder injuries, even when the windows are down. The C70 is chock-full of active and passive safety gear.

Top down, windows up, the C70 provides the perfect amount of breeze to ruffle your hair. But the C70 is no performance vehicle. With little communication from the steering wheel and plenty of lean in corners, this is not the car to be running hard and fast in. Instead it soaks up the bumps and ruts and keeps jostles to a minimum.

Notably missing are those hobgoblins of convertibles, body shake and chassis flex; the engineers have done an admirable job of providing a stable driving experience. Powering our C70 was a turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Our test vehicle had a six-speed manual, which suited the engine, but prepare to hang on if you give the engine some stick. The same cannot be said apparently for the auto where low-end power is reported to be lacklustre.

Hardtop convertibles have become much more common since 1998, when Mercedes-Benz unleashed the SLK 230. This year we’ll see more affordable, fun cars with dual personalities – the Mazda MX5, Astra Twin Top and the Volkswagen Eos, all priced around the $50,000. While a little more expensive than those, the Volvo C70 still represents a reasonable value compared to other four-seat European convertibles.

auto facts
Price $69,950 - $79,950
Engine 2.4L, five-cylinder DOHC petrol; 2.5L, five-cylinder turbo charged petrol
Max Power 125kW a@6000rpm, 230Nm@4400rpm; 162kW@5000rpm, 320Nm@1500rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual, five-speed automatic
Good Look great with roof up or down
Not so good Sluggish automatic

by ANDREW KOCH