1998 Volvo C70

The voluptuous Volvo C70 coupe represents a dramatic move by this Swedish automaker to shake off its old, stodgy image.

The C70 assuredly is divorced from the old, boxy Volvo sedans and wagons. It provides stirring acceleration and sharp handling to accompany its curvaceous styling.

However, the high-quality C70 also provides a spacious interior and plenty of safety, with items such as side air bags. After all, this still is a Volvo.

It's also an expensive one. The C70 costs $38,995 with the standard five-speed manual transmission and $39,970 with a four-speed automatic. Some 70 percent of buyers opt for the automatic, which works best with the turbocharged and intercooled five-cylinder engine.

But then, the C70 is a rival to costly coupes from automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. In fact, the rigidly built, 3,365-pound C70 feels much like a solid German sports coupe.

This Volvo is packed with so much equipment that it has few options: a $450 traction control system, $1,495 leather upholstery, $235 heated front seats, $595 upgraded sound system and a $1,995 package that contains wider, 40-series performance tires on larger 18-inch wheels.

Only really serious drivers who don't mind a stiff ride should opt for those wheels and tires; the standard 17-inch wheels are very large and the base 45-series performance tires do just fine.

The C70 is the result of a joint venture between Volvo and England's Tom Walkinshaw Racing, which helped race Volvos in the British Touring Car Championship, engineered special Jaguars and worked for Formula One Grand Prix race teams. So you just know this coupe is zoomy.

Most people associate Volvo with conservative sedans and station wagons, but auto buffs know it is no stranger to slick coupes--having sold the P1800 coupe in the 1960s and a Bertone-styled coupe from 1977 to 1981. Both, however, had marginal performance.

The front-wheel-drive C70 is based on Volvo's rugged S70 (formerly 850) sedan platform. The C70 looks compact, but shares the 104.9-inch wheelbase of the S70 and has the same 186-inch length. No wonder it's so roomy; four 6-footers easily fit. The trunk is impressively large and has space-saver lid hinges that won't crush cargo.

Motorized front seats slide forward to allow easier entry to the backseat. But they move at an agonizingly slow pace and one must patiently tug and hold a lever to get them to move.

Other annoyances include fragile-looking front cupholders that pull out from the console and a big, unattractive Dolby sound system speaker that sits atop the center of the dashboard; at least that speaker is optional.

Most controls can be easily reached, although the steering wheel partly blocks some switches and the wood trim is marginally attractive. Thick rear roof pillars obstruct visibility and a high parcel shelf makes it impossible to see the trunk while backing up.

But the interior is quiet and comfortable. Gauges can be quickly read and power controls for the front windows are in the driver's door, where they can be reached easily and quickly. Rear windows pop out via manual controls.

Big, comfortable front seats offer plenty of support during spirited driving, and even the rear seats are above-average.

The 236-horsepower C70 has sizzling acceleration. It does 0 to 60 m.p.h. in just 6.4 seconds, and there is scant turbocharger lag with the dual-overhead-camshaft, 20-valve engine. Fuel economy is about 25 m.p.g. on the highway and in the high teens in the city.

The power steering is quick, although it's a bit numb in the on-center position and some will complain that it feels rather stiff. Brakes are easily modulated and provide formidable stopping power. The ride is firm but supple, and handling is excellent. The manual transmission should shift more easily, but the automatic shifts crisply and effectively.

Volvo has built fast, good-handling sedans and wagons in recent years, but the sexy C70 is its first car that looks as good as it drives.