Volvo is testing a new hard-top cabriolet of its S40 range. Caught testing in Sweden, the car is to be branded the C40 and is due to arrive in autumn 2005.
Based on the new S40/Ford Focus platform, testing to date has involved benchmarking it against Audi's A4 convertible.
The top-end engines from the S40 will be carried over, which certainly means the 220-bhp T5 and 170-bhp 2.4-litre, and maybe even the 120-bhp 2-litre. A diesel is unlikely, at least from launch.
Volvo is working with Pininfarina on the production of the new convertible. The car will be built by the Italians at the Voldevally factory in Sweden that used to be part-owned by British consultancy TWR.
TWR helped develop and build the original C70 Convertible before calling the administrators last year.
The new joint-venture company running the plant is called Pininfarina Sverige AB.
- Automedia