Performance Review: Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design - [2007]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo C30 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2007. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8.This particular Volvo C30 has a 2521cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The C30 shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the C30's Front Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1422 kgs (3134 lbs) this makes the Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo C30 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2521cc 20V St5 engine produces 227 bhp (169 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St5 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo C30 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK - Hawkeye (184.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo C30.

The Volvo C30 has a Power to weight ratio of 159.6 bhp per ton and 165.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2007 C30 competing with the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK - Hawkeye (184.6 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Chevrolet Malibu 5.7 V8 Turbo Hydra-Matic (184.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volvo C30 generating around 165.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Audi R8 4.2 V8 S-Tronic FSI Quattro (190.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 (190.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the C30 and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i

When talking about the performance of the Volvo C30 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.79 secs @ 92.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs), the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (14.74 secs), and the 2006 Porsche Cayman 2.7 (14.74 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2007 version of the Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design has a maximum speed of 149mph.

Top Speed of the 2007 C30 equals the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2007 Volvo C30 2.5T 230bhp R Design then how about the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph), the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (160 mph), or the 2009 Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (160 mph).

Related Links:

2007 C30 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison