BMW 320d vs. Volvo C70
Updates boost appeal of Swedish drop-top, can facelifted BMW keep hold of its crown?
BEFORE Volvo took the wraps off its sleek C70 in 1997, the Swedish firm was better known for its strong safety record than for its style. However, the curvaceous coupé and convertible models added a dash of desirability to the brand and kick-started its push upmarket.
The second-generation C70 built on this success and added a folding metal hard-top, effectively merging the two bodystyles. Now five years old, the Swedish machine has gone under the knife in a bid to boost its appeal. And unlike the BMW, the Volvo’s tweaks are much more drastic.
At the front, you’ll find bold new swept-back headlamps and a heavily revised bumper, while the tail-lights get eye-catching LED bulbs. With the roof in place, the well proportioned C70 could be mistaken for a fixed-head model. Press a switch and the three-piece hood lowers out of sight in around 30 seconds, revealing a surprisingly spacious cabin.
As with its rival, the Volvo will accommodate four occupants, with generous leg and shoulder room in the rear. Up front, the dash design is functional rather than sleek, despite the trademark ‘floating’ centre console.
On the plus side, SE Lux Premium trim comes loaded with standard kit, including sat-nav. However, it’s worth noting that the old-fashioned route-finding system is slow to react and has a fiddly remote control.
There are unlikely to be any complaints about the C70’s 400-litre boot, though. It provides 50 litres more space than the BMW. Unfortunately, it shrinks to 200 litres with the hood stowed, and access is severely limited by the folding mechanism and roof panels.
With the top down, you’re better placed to hear the slightly gruff soundtrack of the C70’s 2.4-litre five-cylinder diesel unit at idle. On the move, the punchy engine is less intrusive, although the £1,350 optional five-speed auto box blunts performance.
The Volvo took a leisurely 9.5 seconds to sprint from 0-60mph, and its overtaking pace is hampered by the transmission’s reluctance to kick down. A six- speed manual shifter is standard.
Head down a twisty back road and the Volvo’s laid-back character comes to the fore. Accurate steering and decent grip mean the C70 feels safe and predictable, but there’s precious little feedback and plenty of bodyroll. The soft suspension set-up results in a comfortable ride, but with the hood down, there’s more scuttle shake than you get in the 3-Series Convertible.
While the C70 trails the BMW for driving dynamics, the Swede leads the way when it comes to your wallet. In SE Lux Premium trim, it will set you back £33,775 – which is a saving of £1,330 over the less well equipped BMW.
Its handsome new looks and value-for-money pricing make the Volvo a strong contender for overall honours, although it doesn’t have the prestige badge of its German rival.
BMW 320d
ON the face of it, there’s little wrong with the outgoing BMW 3-Series Convertible. The combination of excellent driving dynamics, folding metal hard-top and strong build quality scooped the German machine drop-top honours in our 2009 New Car Awards.
But BMW bosses aren’t willing to rest on their laurels, and have given the Convertible a mid-life refresh with revised looks, upgraded engines and extra kit.
However, glance at the new car and you’d be forgiven for not spotting where the changes have been made. The revisions are subtle, with the most obvious changes being an extended nose, reprofiled bumpers and new headlamps. And with its folding metal roof in place, the 3-Series has the same sleek lines as the Coupé. Press and hold the button on the centre console and the hood lowers gracefully out of sight in 23 seconds, leaving the BMW with a classy drop-top profile.
Inside, you’ll find the designers have been equally reluctant to mess with a winning formula, as the well laid-out and beautifully built cabin is unchanged. The low-set driving position is still as comfortable, while rear occupants get a pair of individual seats with adequate legroom. Once the roof is in place, the luggage compartment has a useful 350-litre capacity, but this drops to 210 litres with the hood stowed – and access to it is only possible via a small but usable slot. You’ll be treated to a decent haul of standard kit and entry-level SE models, such as this test car, have leather seats, cruise control and xenon headlamps.
So, what’s not to like? Well, lower the hood on a chilly day and the heater struggles to keep you warm, even when it’s running at full blast. You’d expect to see standard heated seats on a £35,105 convertible – but they’re a £295 option. You’ll also have to fork out £260 for the collapsible fabric wind deflector that does an effective job of reducing top-down turbulence in the front.
At least you won’t feel shortchanged by the BMW’s performance. Tweaks to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine mean power is up to 181bhp – an increase of 7bhp – while torque rises from 340 to 380Nm.
At the test track, it managed 0-60mph in 8.2 seconds – 1.3 seconds faster than the automatic Volvo. In the real world, the 320d extends this advantage, thanks to its strong mid-range acceleration and precise six-speed manual box.
Keen drivers will appreciate the agile chassis and weighty steering, which make the 3-Series genuinely entertaining to drive. The standard suspension set-up and 17-inch wheels help the BMW to shrug off poor road surfaces, although there is a small amount of body flex with the roof folded.
Factor in low CO2 emissions, excellent residuals and a desirable image, and it’s a compelling choice. However, it’s difficult to ignore its £35,105 price tag, which makes it £1,330 more than the C70. Will this extra outlay cost the 3-Series in the final analysis?
