The Detroit News's view

How radical is the Volvo C70, the Swedish automaker’s new coupe with the surprisingly shapely lines?

It’s so radical that the company hired a high-fashion photographer to do all of the C70’s print ads, plus a dramatic coffee-table book that “poses” the car like supermodel Kate Moss. But that style doesn’t come cheap. Our test car had a $42,845 price tag, far out of reach of much of the coupe market – and many of the younger buyers whom Volvo seeks with its new styling.

She: I couldn’t help but think of the old Monty Python routine after driving the C70. You remember, the one about the cheese shop that didn’t sell any cheese. There is something equally disconcerting about a Volvo that doesn’t look like a lumbering tank.

He: For a minute, I thought you were going to say the C70 reminded you of the Python routine about the man going into a pet shop and being sold a dead parrot – an ex-parrot, as it was called. Well, this is no ex-Volvo, either. This is the wave of the future, and I find it rather appealing, coming from those stodgy Swedes. Why? Because you’re not giving up anything in terms of safety, which is the hallmark of a Volvo, or very much in terms of function. The thing may still be built like a tank, but it doesn’t look like a tank for a change. Better adapt with the times, dear.

She: I’m flexible, but I wonder if Volvo isn’t playing a dangerous psychological game with its new coupe. How do you convey the fact that this is a “safe” car? The message is instantly telegraphed by the traditional Volvo styling. In fact, the new coupe is based on the Volvo S70. But it looks like it is from a different family tree entirely.

He: Volvo is aiming the all-new C70 at the type of person they call the “affluent progressive,” a predominantly younger male who makes about $100,000 a year. But they have to go after that market to survive these days. Volvo is probably doing the right thing by varying their offerings stylistically, without compromising on traditional virtues such as safety.

She: But can these young bucks afford a Volvo coupe with a base price of $38,995? I wonder if that type of person wouldn’t prefer a more affordable coupe such as a Chrysler Sebring, which can be had for about $20,000.

He: The C70 looks slick, but it’s by no means a classic sports car. If you close your eyes while driving, you can easily imagine yourself in an S70 sedan. While the ride and handling are perfectly adequate for most tastes, the C70 is simply not in the same league as, say, the BMW M3. The Volvo would be a great buy at around $30,000. At 40 grand, I think it’s overpriced. If I were in the market for a luxury coupe in that price range, I’d almost rather spend the money on a Lincoln Mark VIII or a Cadillac Eldorado.

She: So you’re saying you’d really have to fall in love with the C70 to justify the high price and the other little quirks that some people may find irritating about the car. For one thin g: The stereo can be outfitted with up to 12 speakers. But some configurations include a speaker that pokes up out of the top of the instrument panel, ruining its lines.

He: So you had trouble with the lines of the new two-door inside and out? At least Volvo is trying to accommodate all kinds of driving styles and individual tastes, although it’s still tough to say “Volvo” and “sexy” in the same sentence.

1998 Volvo C70

Type: Front-wheel-drive, five-passenger coupe

Price: Base, $38,995; as tested, $42,845 (including $575 destination charge)

What’s new for ’98: All new

Standard equipment:

Four-wheel disc brakes

Rack-and-pinion power steering

Power glass sunroof

Eight-way power driver and passenger seat with three-position memory

Dual electronic climate control

Power windows

Cruise control

In-dash three-disc CD changer

Tilt and telescopic steering column

Dust/pollen filter

Safety features:

Dual front, side air bags

Antilock brakes

Options on test vehicle:

Dolby surround sound ($595)

18-inch multispoke alloy wheels ($1,995)

Heated front seats ($235)

Traction control ($450)

EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway

Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged five cylinder; 236 hp at 5,100 rpm; 243 lb-ft torque at 2,700 rpm

Specifications:

Wheelbase, 104.9 inches

Overall length, 185.7 inches

Curb weight, 3,365 pounds

Legroom, 41.3 inches front/34.6 inches rear

Headroom, 37.4 inches front/36.6 inches rear

Where built: Uddevalla, Sweden