Volvo C30 Conquers Entry-Level Luxury Costs

SIMSBURY, CONN. (03/06/2012)(readMedia)-- From fueling up to insurance payments, the price of owning a vehicle can add up quickly, and it is not always easy to tell which ones will cost less in the long run. To help ease consumer confusion, Kelley Blue Book recently announced the winners of its 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Awards. When it came to the category of Entry Level Luxury Car with the lowest five-year overall costs, the auto researcher recommended that shoppers head to their local Volvo dealership to find the 2012 Volvo C30.

In their inaugural year, the Kelley Blue Book Total Cost of Ownership Awards recognized the models with the lowest costs in 21 vehicle segments. Factoring in key expenses like fuel, state fees, maintenance, repairs, depreciation, financing and insurance, Kelley Blue Book determined cost estimates for each vehicle during the initial five years following its purchase. The 2012 Volvo C30 four-seat sports coupe took out its closest competitor in the Entry Level Luxury Car category, the Buick Regal, thanks to its best-in-segment fair purchase price, low maintenance costs and limited long-term depreciation.

"Just because you're in the market for a luxury car doesn't mean you should ignore value, and this recent award highlights how the C30 is a better long-term investment than its competitors," said Cliff Nichols, general sales manager of Simsbury, Connecticut Volvo dealer Mitchell Volvo. "Purchase price doesn't always correspond directly with quality, and Volvo owners know that they don't have to pay an outrageous price, either upfront or over time, to get the kind of quality they deserve."

Amenities that put the Volvo C30 squarely in the Entry Level Luxury Car category include ergonomically designed seats, heated side mirrors, HD Radio, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and AUX and USB ports for audio input. The base-model C30 is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that outputs 227 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, giving the sporty hatchback performance to go along with its posh interior.

Volvo has also begun limited production of an electric version of the C30 for lease only in Europe. Aptly named the Volvo C30 Electric, the vehicle is able to charge with a regular household outlet and features a range of around 93 miles and a top speed of about 81 mph. While Volvo has not revealed its plans for a U.S. version of the C30 Electric, it is expected that the automaker will deliver a vehicle utilizing electric power to the United States within the next couple of years.

To better track and manage the household charging of future electric vehicles, Volvo is working with Ericsson and other partners on an Electric Vehicle Intelligent Infra Structure (ELVIIS) charging system. The technology would allow Volvo owners to control, measure and bill electricity used from any ordinary power outlet to their own utility account via a smartphone app, enabling them to take responsibility of their charges from virtually anywhere. Initial testing of ELVIIS is currently being conducted on five C30 Electrics in Europe.

"Luxury doesn't just come in the form of leather trim and moon roofs," added Nichols. "Innovative tools like ELVIIS are aimed at bettering the entire Volvo ownership experience. With the C30 Electric and other future electrified Volvos housing that kind of technology, the EV market could be forever changed."

About Mitchell Volvo in Simsbury:

Serving the Greater Hartford area and beyond, Mitchell Volvo is staffed by an expert sales team committed to finding Connecticut Volvo shoppers the perfect vehicle to suit their needs. With its customer relationships extending well beyond each sale, Mitchell Volvo also offers top-quality Volvo repair and maintenance services, with a wide selection of Volvo parts and accessories. Browse their inventory of new and used vehicles online at www.mitchellvolvo.com, visit their dealership at 384 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury or find them on Facebook. They can also be reached by phone at 800-270-0122 with questions, feedback or test drive requests.