Volvo C30 Review
Published: 28th January 2009
Volvo C30
Safety and Security 
The Volvo brand is synonymous with safety and it has been responsible for some of the most important safety innovations including the three-point safety belt (1959), front head restraints (1968), and the side airbag (1994).
The aim with the Volvo C30 is to match the safety of their larger cars such as the Volvo S60. So there is the normal array of airbag, two front, side airbags and curtain airbags - which extend to protect rear seat passengers.
Then there is Volvo's SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) which prevents side intrusions by dissipating much of the side impact force through protective beams, the pillars, floor, roof, and other parts of the body. Plus WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) which aims to prevent neck and back injuries in rear-end collisions, and is now standard on all Volvos. In a rear-end accident, the entire backrest of the front seats automatically moves rearwards to prevent neck and back strain.
In Car Entertainment and Satellite Navigation
Our test car was fitted with the Performance Sound system comprising single slot CD player and radio tuner, a 4x20W amplifier and six loudspeakers. We particularly liked the retro tuning bar on the radio display and the sound quality is perfectly good for a car of this class.
Audiophiles should upgrade to the ICE system which includes the High Performance Sound system (£300 option) with CD/Radio plus a 4x40W amplifier, eight loudspeakers. Or if you have the money to spend we would recommend the Dynaudio Premium Sound system (£1050 option) with a digital class D amplifier with ICE Power technology from Alpine, an output of 5x130W, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, 10 loudspeakers from Danish audio manufacturer Dynaudio.
With the High Performance and Premium Sound systems, it is possible to play CDs with music in MP3 and WMA formats. This means that the CD changer can store hundreds of music tracks. A 3.5 mm input for connecting auxiliary equipment such as an MP3 player or iPod is standard across the range. Plus there is a 12v socket to charge your MP3 player or phone on the console between the front seats.
If you wish to control your iPod then there is an adapter to control it and display information via the vehicle's audio system's display.
You can also opt to have fitted a Satellite Navigation system with a hard disc drive based map system (£1500 option) which some might consider rather expensive when portable navigation systems start at around £50.
/ 