If the C30’s exterior design is the stuff of concepts, its mechanicals are more mundane. Under the skin the C30 is effectively a re-clothed S40 saloon with 22cm removed from its length.
Despite looking vaguely similar to the S40 at the front, all of the C30’s metalwork is unique. It shares a 2640mm wheelbase with the S40 - the two cars plus the V50 estate roll from a production line in Ghent, Belgium, rather than Sweden. All three share their platform with the Ford Focus.
The C30’s powertrain line-up ranges from 1.6-litre petrol to 2.5 turbo, plus three diesels. Our test engine represents the mid-point of the diesel trio. It’s a 134bhp, 2.0-litre unit, badged 2.0D.
