The C30, a four-seat, two door model with a glass tailgate offered by Volvo Cars of Canada Corp., will be equipped with a higher level of standard equipment for the 2009 model year. At the same time, the company will begin offering a new R-Design package to offer buyers the option to customize the look of their vehicle. The 2009 C30 2.4i will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price starting at $27,695. The vehicle benefits from added standard equipment valued at $1,600. The list includes heated front seats, front fog lights as well as an upgraded 8-speaker audio system with steering wheel-mounted controls. Buyers who choose the T5 will find the prices of the C30 start at $32,195, and benefit from more standard equipment which add $1,100 in value to the vehicle. The standard equipment list now includes heated front seats and Bluetooth mobile phone wireless connectivity (a $600 stand-alone option on the 2.4i). Available with both the 2.4i and T5, the R-Design Package ($4,500 for the 2.4i and $4,200 for the T5) includes 18″ alloy wheels, Dual Xenon headlights, a colour coordinated or complimentary skirt kit, rear spoiler and chrome mirror caps. Inside, C30 R-Design models will benefit from power driver seat, power passenger seat (on the T5), aluminum inlays throughout the cabin, sport pedals, sport instrument dials and two-tone, Graphite and Cream coloured sport seats. R-Design models will be identified by an emblem on the grille, steering wheel and embossed on the front seats. The C30 will also feature the word “VOLVO” in larger letters with wider spacing across the rear glass tailgate above the handle. This reflects a company-wide initiative to give the logo and brand name more prominence on its vehicles. Also updated for the 2009 model year is the optional HDD Navigation System with Real Time Traffic, Remote Control and Map Care ($2,500). The software has been updated to offer more scrolling and viewing features. In Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa (Vancouver will be added in late 2008), Volvo vehicles equipped with a Navigation System will be better able to avoid traffic by customizing their drive route around known obstructions digitally transmitted to the system’s receiver. The C30 2.4i is equipped with a 2.4 litre, 168-horsepower 5-cylinder engine producing 170 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic with Geartronic ($1,500) to motivate the front wheels. T5 vehicles feature a 2.5 litre, 227-horsepower turbocharged 5-cylinder engine producing 236 lb.-ft. of torque mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic with Geartronic. [b]80 years studying safety[/b]Since its founding in 1927, Volvo Car Corporation has been studying safety. An integral part of that research has been the Accident Investigation Team. By studying more than 35,000 real-world collisions involving Volvo vehicles, the team has been able to evaluate the performance of its safety systems has had on the 50,000 occupants. Based on this research, the C30 is equipped with protective, preventive and security safety systems. In the event of a collision, a safety cage composed of four kinds of steel is designed to distribute energy around the passenger compartment. At the same time, front, side and inflatable curtain airbags have been designed to help protect occupants from collision forces. Further, the company’s Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) has been installed in the front seats to help reduce the risks of soft tissue neck injuries in rear-end collisions. Preventive systems include the company’s Dynamic Stability and Traction control system and Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS). IDIS will delay incoming phone calls (if equipped with Bluetooth) and non-critical warning signals (i.e. low washer fluid) and disable the radio controls during times of high driver activity – such as emergency manoeuvres or in reverse gear. Other optional systems include the company’s camera-based Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). Security features include a security system as well as approach and “Home Safe” lighting to illuminate the area around and in front of the vehicle to bring attention to any hazards such as ice. [b]Option packages[/b]With the new R-Design Package replacing the 2008 model’s Sport Package and Sport Styling Package, a new Premium Package ($2,400 for the 2.4i and $2,600 for the T5) has been added. The 2.4i Premium Package includes Aluminium inlays, leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, electronic climate control, headlamp washers, Homelink, power driver seat and a trip computer that includes a fuel economy monitor. The T5 Premium Package includes everything in the 2.4i package, but adds power passenger seat, Bi-Xenon headlights and a auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass. The DynAudio Package ($1,000) remains intact, offering 650-watts of audio power through 10 DynAudio speakers, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround sound process and utilizing an in-dash, 6-disc CD player. Stand-alone options include the Navigation system, leather seats ($1,450) for both variants (previously available only the T5) and a Sirius Satellite Radio system ($650).Source: Volvo Cars of Canada