Volvo rejigs 2012 models

VOLVO has added standard equipment to its C30 Coupe range and claims it provides extra value across the range, despite price rises of $500 on average – although the range-topping R-Design models have dropped by $960.

At the same time, Volvo Car Australia has slashed prices on its ageing S40 sedan and V50 wagon range by as much as $3960 while also enhancing the standard equipment list.

It has also increased prices while adding extra features to the XC70 all-wheel drive wagon for the 2012 model year, four years after the popular third-generation V70-based crossover arrived here.

The biggest changes to the C30 Coupe for MY2012 are the addition to the standard features list across the range of rear park assist (previously standard only on the R-Design models) and a high-performance audio system, which together cost about $2000.

But the price of entry to the range has now risen by $840 for the entry-level four-cylinder 1.6 DRIVe eco-model with manual gearbox, which is now priced at $36,990 plus on-road and dealer delivery costs.

Further up the line, the considerably more powerful five-cylinder turbo T5 S rises $540 to $38,990 for the five-speed auto ($37,490 for the six-speed manual), while the T5 R-Design falls to $41,990 for the manual and $43,490 for the auto.

From top: Volvo C30, S40, V50 and XC70

New to the C30 range is a T5 Lifestyle model – priced at $39,990 for the manual and $41,490 for the auto – which drops into the line-up between the S and R-Design models.

The entry level for Volvo’s mid-size SUV offering, the XC70, has also increased with the six-cylinder 3.2-litre base model rising by $2500 to $62,450 while the five-cylinder turbo D5 model increases by $1500 to $63,450.

In return for those price rises, Volvo has added its latest-generation City Safety automatic braking system, a power-operated tailgate, and high-end multimedia system with seven-inch screen and a reversing camera to the standard equipment list.

Both models can also be ordered in a new ‘Teknik’ specification that adds $5000 to the price in exchange for satellite-navigation, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), power front passenger seat and active headlights (called Active Bending Lights by Volvo), which turn the headlights up to 15 degrees at night when the car is turning.

Finally, Volvo’s small-car offerings – the S40 sedan and its V50 wagon sibling – have been made considerably more affordable in the twilight of their lives, having been introduced to Australia around June 2004, while a new mid-range variant has been added to the line-up.

The entry level to both models has been reduced by $1960 for the T5 S level – bringing the S40 down to $39,990 and the V50 to $42,990 – while equipment upgrades include park assist, retractable exterior mirrors, auto-dimming internal mirror and high-performance sound system.

These equipment additions also apply to the R-Design variants, which have been cut by some $3960 to $44,990 for the S40 sedan and $47,990 for the V50 wagon.

As with the C30 range, the small-car line-up has been augmented by the addition of mid-level Lifestyle models that come standard with power driver’s seat with memory, leather upholstery, active headlights with washers, rain-sensing wipers and 17-inch alloys.

Volvo 2012 pricing:
C30
1.6 DRIVe	$36,990
T5 S	$37,490
T5 S (a)	$38,990
T5 Lifestyle	$39,990
T5 Lifestyle (a)	$41,490
T5 R-Design	$41,990
T5 R-Design (a)	$43,490
S40
T5 S (a)	$39,990
T5 Lifestyle (a)	$42,990
T5 R-Design (a)	$44,990
V50
T5 S (a)	$42,990
T5 Lifestyle (a)	$45,990
T5 R-Design (a)	$47,990
XC70
3.2 (a)	$62,450
3.2 Teknik (a)	$67,450
D5 (a)	$63,450
D5 Teknik (a)	$68,450