Frankfurt 2009: Volvo C30 and C30 R-Design

Since the S60 Concept that debuted last year, Volvo has been busy introducing new models and upgrading existing ones to follow through with that design theme. Oddly enough, the production S60 still hasn't been introduced yet. Rumors had circulated the S60 would be making an appearance at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but the rumors didn't pan out unfortunately.

XC60, C70 and now C30! Come on S40 and S60, it's time the sedans get updated too. The update for the C30 works out like expected, displaying the same front end as the C70. A larger, bolder face with a chrome grille surround and the redesigned Volvo logo.

The biggest news though is the R-Design model. Like the recently introduced XC60 R-Design, it doesn't offer any horsepower upgrades, but Volvo says it was tested "on narrow, twisting lanes in England, at high speed on the German autobahn, (and) on icy winter roads in the very north of Scandinavia...."

Nice! The statistics work out to 10% quicker steering ratio response and 30% stiffer bushings. Other changes are a lowered ride height, body kit and five-spoke Cratus wheels like the rest of the R-Design range.

I've said before, with performance coming in at good levels on standard vehicles, there is a place for packages like this that offer the car in a more sporting flavor. However, the C30 could stand for a full-blown performance model that would turn it into a real hot-hatch.