The Volvo C70 design team, headed by Fredde Talsma, first developed the C70 as a sporty coupe before removing the roof to develop a convertible with the end goal being an attractive car - top up or top down.

Volvo Car's first-generation C70 convertible was launched in 1997. Its enduring design carried it successfully through an eight-year production cycle. First-generation C70 convertible production ceased in March 2005 with total production reaching nearly 50,000 cars.

Interestingly, the C70 convertible's last full year of production was also its best sales year with 8,000 units.

During those eight years, Volvo did learn a critical lesson - be patient. Time was needed to establish the C70 in the convertible market.

A strong profile with an innovative interior
The new C70 convertible is shorter and lower than its predecessor but retains the same width. This, in combination with the relatively short front overhang, gives the car a powerful stance and proportion that becomes very apparent when the C70 is viewed on its side profile.

Its stance is enhanced by the prominent shoulder line which reinforces the C70's high level of occupant protection.

The interior is marked by modern, innovative design features inspired by Scandinavian tradition with clean surfaces, genuine materials and logical function. Inspiration for Volvo's most recent interior design is drawn more from Scandinavian product design than pure car design.

The thin visually floating centre console, revealed in Volvo S40, also features in the new C70 interior.

Retractable hardtop
The new generation of Volvo C70 convertibles has a retractable steel hardtop rather than a soft hood. The reasons for choosing a steel roof were:

• to give the true impression of two cars in one
• to provide an improved "year round feel"
• to achieve a lower noise level and more comfort
• to improve the profile and the overall look
• to provide a greater feeling of safety and security

Developed by Pininfarina
Designing and developing a three-piece retractable hardtop, a small mechanical wonder in itself, is no easy task. The solution had to be durable and reliable, convert between coupe and convertible in less than 30 seconds, and fit perfectly in place.

After a thorough investigation of industry expertise, development of the C70's three-piece steel roof mechanism was entrusted to Italian master coachbuilder Pininfarina. Not only did Pininfarina develop a roof mechanism that is a technical masterpiece, the company is also responsible for the production of the car in the jointly-owned - Pininfarina with 60 percent and Volvo Cars with 40 percent - Pininfarina Sverige AB plant in Uddevalla, Sweden.

Doubled sales
After some nine years experience as a player in the convertible market and having built up a considerable body of knowledge, Volvo Cars' expectations are to double sales of new C70 compared with the first-generation C70's best year result.

The annual sales target for the new C70 is estimated at some 16,000 cars. The US market will account for about half that volume. The UK and Germany are expected to share 30 percent between them. The remaining 20 percent will be distributed amongst other markets.

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