September 25, 2006 - The challenge here is getting you to stop looking at the pictures of Volvo's new halo car, the 2007 C70 T5, and get you to read my review. Yes, I know it's gorgeous, and very un-Volvo like. But that's the point of any so-called halo car: to get you excited enough to stop TiVoing old CHiPs episodes and get down to your nearest dealer with cash in hand. Oh, you might find that a four-seat convertible hardtop doesn't meet your real-life needs. But if you walk out of a Volvo showroom with the keys to a shiny, new S40 sedan or V70 wagon, hey, it's OK, Volvo's cool with that.

Whereas the previous 1996-2005 Volvo C70 was based on the mid-sized 850/S60, the 2007 C70 T5 is based on the compact, front-wheel-drive version of the S40/V50. With a base price of $56,495 neatly splitting an Audi A4 1.8T Cabriolet and Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible, my Volvo C70 T5 test car, with a six-speed manual transmission and audio and sport packages, came to $63,745.



That may sound like a lot. Especially when an S40 T5 sedan starts at $20,000 less. But the C70 T5 is actually a bit of a deal, considering the Audi and Saab have fabric convertible tops.

Unlike those ragtops, which can still create fluttering wind noise when raised at elevated speeds, the C70 T5's calling card -- its retractable hardtop -- means coupe-like quietness is just a touch of the console-mounted button away.

The C70 T5's cabin continues with the spacious and comfortable proportions of the originating S40/V50. It includes the signature floating centre instrument panel, super-supportive front seats and -- surprise, surprise -- realistic room for two in the back. There's more room than in the BMW 325Ci Cabriolet ($58,500) or the 9-3, in fact. Back-seat passengers can also push tilt-and-slide controls for the power front seats to help egress.

Remarkably, despite the car's swoopy roofline, Volvo's done a good job creating plenty of headroom for all on board. And there's way more rear, three-quarter visibility than any cloth top convertible's blanked-off C-pillar could muster.



After watching the C70 T5 top's mechanical lowering theatrics for about half a minute, enjoy why you're staring at those photos in the first place: the romance of top-down motoring.

Even at highway speeds, there's minimal wind encroachment in the cabin for the front seat sitters. The C70 T5's high shoulder line provides a real sense security sans top. But if the unthinkable happens and the car rolls over, a gyroscopic sensor activates door-mounted inflatable curtains and seat belt pretensioners and retracted rear steel roll bars deploy. Hey, it's a Volvo.

The T5 badging means all C70s sold in Canada are powered by the S40/V50's turbocharged five-cylinder engine that puts out 218 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, and 236 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. A six-speed manual comes standard, but a $1,500 five-speed automatic is optional.

That may read as sufficient power, but the C70 T5 has gained 319 kilograms compared with its sedan counterpart. All that folding, origami miracle of a metal hardtop subsequently subdues the C70 T5's driving motions.



Whereas the S40 T5 manages to get to 100 km/h from rest in around seven seconds, expect to add a second to that time for the convertible.

Also subdued is the C70 T5's ride.

The coupe/convertible is noticeably not as tightly sprung in the suspension than the sedan. Even with the 18-inch, 235/40 rubber band Pirellis that come with the sport package, pockmarked Canadian roads are easily traversed without passengers the wiser.

The downside is that steering is affected. The S40 already suffers from lack of steering feel, and the new C70 T5 has even less. But few C70 T5 owners will be buying the sexy Swede as a track car.

Disregard the security, safety and convenience benefits of the retractable hardtop and the 2007 Volvo C70 T5 is still a sophisticated, well-thought-out piece of kit. Styling alone will sell the majority of these new C70 T5s and maybe even a few other Volvos.

That's the role of a halo car. Compared with its predecessors -- Volvo's P1800, 262C, the 780 and the previous C70 Coupe and Convertible -- the new C70 T5 is a 1,000-watt light bulb to draw in the moths.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher, www.straight-six.com



THE SPECS
TYPE OF VEHICLE Front-wheel-drive, retractable hardtop coupe
ENGINE Turbocharged 2.5L DOHC in-line five-cylinder
POWER 218 hp @ 5,000 rpm; 236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION Six-speed manual
BRAKES Four-wheel disc with ABS
TIRES 235/45R17
PRICE: BASE/AS TESTED $56,495/$63,745
FUEL ECONOMY L/100 KM 11.5 city, 7.5 hwy.
STANDARD FEATURES AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, power windows/door locks/mirrors, front side air bags, concealed safety rollbar, interior pollen air filter, dual automatic climate control, leather steering wheel/shift knob
OPTIONS DynAudio package ($2,250), sport package ($5,000)

© National Post 2006. This article originally appeared in The National Post's Driving.